Pictured above: Sponsors’ representatives gathered to present the Easter-themed prize (left). Mike Orvis, Solo Market Grocery Supervisor, raffle winner Brenda Morash with her prize.

The community of Pinawa, MB, has shown a flood of support for its only public daycare, after its basement filled with water due to early spring snowmelt.

The Children’s Place Co-op Daycare has been closed during the pandemic, and the decrease in attendance has impacted their operating income – making the unexpected flood difficult to bear.

Mike Orvis, Grocery Supervisor at the local Solo Market, did not hesitate to plan a fundraiser in support of the children’s daycare. He organized the fundraiser with the support of Lisa Thomas, Solo Market Store Manager, and the assistance of the whole store team, along with collaboration from other local sponsors – Reactions Salon, HUB Insurance and Sunova Credit Union. Each organization donated funds to create an Easter-themed basket worth $200 as a raffle prize.

On April 1, Solo Market customers had the opportunity to make a $5 donation in exchange for a ticket to participate in the raffle. The draw was held on Facebook Live, with Orvis announcing Brenda Morash as the winner.

Thanks to the big hearts of those who donated and to the support of the sponsors, $1,250 was raised for the community’s daycare. This amount has been handed over to the Pinawa Foundation, who will top it up with 40% – bringing the donation to a grand total of $1,750. The donation will be presented to the Children’s Place Co-op Daycare on May 1.

“The Children's Place Daycare is Pinawa's only public daycare so it is imperative that we keep it going. Like many other small businesses the pandemic had a huge impact on the revenue intake; so I thought, as a community we could come together to raise some relief for them,” said Orvis. “The children are the future and with new families moving to town and existing families growing, we would love to see the daycare grow and flourish.”