LAKELAND – The oil and gas industry in northeast Alberta has once again helped out Santa, not by putting out feed for his reindeer, but instead adding support to communities through donations large and small prior to the Christmas season.
In recent weeks, the Lakeland Catholic School Division's food security program has received a financial boost ahead of the holidays thanks to Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. On Dec. 18, representatives from Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. presented a $12,000 cheque to Lakeland Catholic School Division.
Down Highway 41 in Elk Point, the A. G. Ross Arena Fundraising Committee received a $22,741 cheque that same day to add to their efforts to replace the arena’s ailing ice plant, after committee members worked at one of Canadian Natural Resources’ fundraising dinners earlier in the year.
Many of the businesses that support the resource industry are also supporters of local community endeavours across the Lakeland. Among this year’s pre-Christmas events were the Elk Point Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s Christmas Extravaganza and Shop Local campaign.
Extravaganza committee chair Shirley Harms says, “While we did not have any 'oil company' involvement in Extravaganza, we were very fortunate and pleased to have participation from the oilfield services sector. This included Hahn Welding & Oilfield Services, with a donation, decorated tree and an impressive parade float, Morganick Blending Systems with a grand prize donation and fantastic first-time float and Alliance Heavy Industries, E-Can, JDP Enterprises all providing donations to make our Elk Point Christmas Extravaganza a huge success.”
Donations to local food banks were also made by a long list of donors connected to the oil and gas industry. In Bonnyville that included a $2,000 donation from Swift Supply, and 700 lbs of food donated by MasTec Canada.