Being a student with a limited budget can be challenging during the holiday season. The excitement can lead the thriftiest among us to spend more than planned.

To avoid putting your finances and your education at risk, be a little creative about inexpensive gift giving. Perhaps you can give of your time — make a meal, shovel a sidewalk, run errands for a friend — or make something by hand.

If you need extra help with gifts and groceries during the holidays, there are community agencies which can assist.

SALVATION ARMY

Phone: 403-346-2251
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.)
Deadline: Applications accepted between November 14-December 9
Required:  Interest list, picture ID, AB Health Care numbers, previous months household income and expenses including current rent receipts & utilities, and custody papers if applicable   Residents of Red Deer only.
Who Can Apply: Single and dual parents with children and seniors

SYLVAN LAKE CHRISTMAS BUREAU

Phone: 403-391-3338
Registration: November 12 from  10 a.m.- 2 p.m. & 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Pickup: December 16 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Required: AB Health Care cards, rental or mortgage agreement, picture ID with address
Who can apply: Residents of Sylvan Lake and the surrounding area, must have children age 17 and under

FILL A FRIDGE

(formerly known as Lacombe Christmas Food Certificate Fund)
Phone: 403-782-6637
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed 12:30-1:30)
Deadline: Fill out a Santas Anonymous application for kids under 14 from November 14 to December 14
Required:  Income Tax notice of  assessment, AB Health Care cards for all family members
Who can apply: Residents of Lacombe and the County of Lacombe

WOMEN’S OUTREACH

Phone: 403-347-2480
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Deadline: Go to the Women’s Outreach to fill out an application November 1- December 14
Required:  AB Health Care cards for all family members, proof of income, and proof of address
Who can apply: Single parent (Mom or Dad) and they do not restrict to Red Deer residents
Children must be with parent at Christmas (Can apply every 3 years)

INNISFAIL CHRISTMAS BUREAU

(in the Henday Mall – old Tiki Hut location)
Phone: Jane at 403-505-0168
Hours : Mondays  from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. starting November 16
Deadline: December 12
Required:  AB Health Care card, proof of Innisfail residency, and proof of income
Who can apply: Residents of Innisfail and Spruceview area

RED DEER CHRISTMAS BUREAU

Phone: 403-347-2210
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday – Friday
Deadline: Go to Bay 15, 7428-49 Ave  from November 7 to December 15
Required:  AB Health Care card, proof of income, proof of residency, photo ID, one month bank statement
Who can apply: Residents of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Springbrook and Penhold

On Friday, September 30th the Red Deer College Aboriginal Group, with help from Campus Rec and the Student Ambassador Leadership Program, recognized Orange Shirt Day.

Through its Orange Shirt Day activities, the student group helped promote awareness and reconciliation in concern to Aboriginal residential schools. Planning for this important event started last May.

This event could not have been the same without the support of CAT Fund, which helped with the purchase of t-shirts. Using paints provided by Campus Rec, the canvas (98 in total) for the mural, and student knowledge we strove to create awareness for the day.

The event would not have been able to take place without the volunteers (Cortney Yeo, Elissa Norris, Keanna Groves, Nevine Dada, Elena Rousseau, Heather Moraal, Savannah West, Toby Nwabuogor, Cody Mills, Patti LaPointe, and Sylvie Masson). Bannock and condiments, contributed by Kasey Fulton and Wendy Cameron, were also given out to celebrate traditional food and start conversation.

Cody Mills who led the event for the whole of its six hours was knowledgeable about the subject and purpose of the event and was willing to help educate and help others gain understanding. He helped share that the effects of residential schools are not a thing of the past, as the last residential school did not close till 1996 in Saskatchewan.

He also clarified why the orange shirts were the subject of the event. Phyllis Webstand was the original owner of the orange shirt. She attended a residential school in 1973/74. She picked out an orange shirt especially to attend her first day of school, but it was stripped from her just like many elements of Aboriginal culture. Her story, however, did not end there.

Upon leaving the school, she started a journey of healing and went on to help create a way for others to do the same. This resulted in the celebrated awareness of Orange Shirt Day. The reception of this event at RDC was one of positivity.

Special thanks goes out to all the participants of the event who took the time to paint the murals, designs t-shirts, gain knowledge on the subject of aboriginal schools, and celebrate reconciliation.
-Sylvie Masson

Red Deer College students elected their 2016-2017 Winter Council October 6. Over 10 percent of the student population took part in the online vote.

These 12 councilors, in conjunction with the Students’ Association Executive, will represent RDC students throughout the coming months. Council represents students by listening to student concerns, contributing to student life and wellness, and being conscious of developments in post-secondary.

2016-2017 Winter Council
• William Baliko
• Shantelle Bron
• Kara Canning
• Lindsay Currie
• Shelby Dushanek
• Charity Lehn
• Faith MacIntyre
• Sylvie Masson
• Carmen McGrath
• Christiana Pochailo
• Mitchell Visser
• Marian Young

A number of Ex Officio (non-voting members) may also be appointed to Students’ Association Council.

The Students Association has partnered with local law firms to help improve access to justice for those in the RDC community. Individuals will be able to book appointments through our office for brief legal consultations with individuals in the legal profession.

Students will be able to ask questions and obtain guidance on legal topics such as housing, employment, family, or civil law so that they can take a more informed approach to their own legal issues.

Bookings for 30 minute one-on-one sessions to be held Thursday, October 20 (between 2 and 4 p.m.) are available now, and shall be done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students will be required to provide certain information to the firm so that they may do the requisite conflict checks.

They will also be required to sign a disclaimer regarding the service on the day of their appointment. Bookings and documentation must be submitted by 12 p.m. Wednesday, October 19.

Free notary services
Notary/commission services shall be available on Thursday, October 20 on a walk-in, first come first serve basis between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Please ensure that you bring all required documentation to the session, including but not limited to:

1) Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s permit, permanent resident card, etc.)

2) The document requiring a notary/commission

3) Original documents (if it’s a certified copy)

Please be aware that photocopies will not be provided at the session. Notary/commission service shall be limited to three documents per individual.

To book a 30 minute one-on-one session, or if you would like more information on any of these services, please contact the Students’ Association office.