As part of the donations it makes on a yearly basis, Manitoba Hydro in Thompson has presented a cheque for $2,000 to the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) in Thompson.
Mike Baron, an engineering technician for Manitoba Hydro, Crystal Baron, a human resources representative, and Jodi Skibinski, an administrative representative, met with John Donovan, director of the AFM's Northern region, and John Borody, chief executive officer of the AFM, on June 26 at the AFM's new facility in Thompson.
Mike Baron says the total yearly budget for charities Manitoba Hydro in Thompson gives to is around $24,000. He says often the top choices for organizations to donate to are the AFM, the Thompson General Hospital, the Northern Spirit Manor, the Salvation Army and the homeless shelter.
"We just like to see whatever money we raise from employees' funds, and Manitoba Hydro matches it, and we allot it to where we can see the changes and where we can see it's used, and we know AFM is always one of our biggest and most appreciative people that we donate too. They're always really grateful so we like to do that," Crystal Baron explains.
Donovan says the $2,000 will go towards purchasing equipment for the recreation room in the facility as well as to take clients out to do recreational activities in Thompson.
"The Manitoba Hydro employees group has been supporting us now for five years or more, and all of the money from those donations goes to the clients and the recreation program. When you come through you see the recreation room is full of gear, and the clients use it daily -- Saturdays, Sundaysevery evening, any breaks they get, and it all goes into the recreation equipment and the recreation activities, when we have an opportunity for them to go bowling or to get out into the community," Donovan explains. He also says recreation activities are an important process on the road to recovery for people dealing with addictions. "We have people that are coming off of a lifetime of drinking or drug use, and they spend a huge amount of hours involved in those activities, and then they get clean and sober and have all this time on their hands. And this opportunity to be able to get into a new lifestyle change, to get into some fitness and some programs...is about getting fit and healthy."
The recreation room at the AFM has a Nintendo Wii, foosball tables, fitness machines and more.
