Residents and supporters of Creighton Lodge gathered for a special fundraising BBQ on Wednesday, hosted by HUB International staff, with proceeds going toward the lodge’s ongoing kitchen expansion project.
HUB International provides insurance and risk management for Creighton Lodge, and according to HUB’s Natasha Barney, the relationship quickly became more than business. “Kaylin Kalinski and I got a chance to come out here and we just fell in love with the place, the residents, the staff and really the mission,” said Barney. “Hearing about the kitchen expansion project and the impact it will have on the community, we couldn’t help but get involved somehow.”
That involvement began when HUB applied to Red River Mutual’s Spruce Up Your Space contest, initially securing a $5,000 grant. After sharing photos and the project’s vision, Creighton Lodge was ultimately awarded $7,500. Wanting to do even more, HUB International organized the BBQ, with the Saskatchewan Association of Insurance Brokers pledging to match donations up to $1,000.
Jason Galon of HUB International Prairie Region praised the community’s turnout.
“Creighton Lodge happened to be awarded one of the initiatives this year, which is fantastic,” Gallon said. “It’s tremendous to see what our Estevan team has put together for Creighton Lodge, and the turnout is fantastic.”
The event drew such a crowd that organizers had to restock supplies just 40 minutes in.
“Thank you to everyone for coming,” Barney added. “The turnout is far beyond what we were expecting, we’ve already gone to get more burgers.”
Funds from the BBQ will go directly toward Creighton Lodge’s kitchen expansion, which aims to enhance meal service for residents and improve capacity for community events.