Gas City Kiwanis helps essential Flats group spread Christmas cheer

By Mo Cranker on December 8, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

The North Flats Neighbourhood Association held its annual Christmas party Wednesday — made possible by the Gas City Kiwanis Club.

The association has been working in the Flats since 1995 and offers a number of services to families in its community — including free-of-charge after-school programs for kids in Grades 1-6.

The group says the annual party is the highlight of the year for many and wouldn’t be possible without the fundraising efforts of the Gas City Kiwanis Club.

“The kids have such a good time at this event,” said assistant co-ordinator Amanda McKinley. “There’s caroling at the party, some of their members play the piano so the kids can sing Christmas songs, an amazing turkey meal, there’s always an elf that comes and makes balloon animals and then Santa shows up and the kids get a chance to sit with him, get a gift and take home a treat bag.”

The association is unique in the city, with no other communities having a group similar offering free after-school services to kids and families that could benefit from it.

“When we’ve collected feedback, some parents have said they wouldn’t be able to work without our services because they wouldn’t be able to afford child care otherwise,” said McKinley. “We know this has allowed some of the parents to upgrade their education and go back to school — a lot of parents are thankful that their children can have some more positive influences in their life.

“For a lot of the kids this is really about the social aspect, so I know these after-school programs can be really fun for them.”

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