he Prince George community knows that when Anne Laughlin and Ted Price take on a fundraising project, it’s through Miracle Theatre.
This year, Miracle Theatre is offering two plays in repertory by Canadian playwright Norm Foster: Lunenburg and Here in the Flight Path, from March 27 to April 23.
Each Miracle Theatre production has proceeds directed towards a great need that Price and Laughlin feel must be met in Prince George.
Recently, Laughlin and Price learned about the struggles some seniors face across the country—and, more importantly, right here in Prince George. These seniors are unable to afford their rent and are often forced to make the impossible choice between medication and groceries because their fixed income just isn’t enough.
To help ease the financial burden, the Prince George Council of Seniors Emergency Fund has been created, held in trust by the Prince George Community Foundation, with proceeds going to the most vulnerable members of the community.
“When we saw the need, we thought, how do we get funding up in a hurry so the endowment fund can have a significant impact as soon as possible?” Price said.
“Our goal is to always make the next endowment fund bigger than the last. Last year, we raised $180,000, and by doing two shows this year, we hope to surpass that amount. Our double-barreled effort is going to something that’s largely going unnoticed.”
“Some people haven’t even heard of the Prince George Council of Seniors,” Laughlin said.
“They help people with their dentures, income tax, food, and housing,” Price added.
“So we’re trying to make a bit of noise,” Laughlin said.
“And when people come to the play, they will hopefully learn a little bit and get it onto their radar that there are people who need help.”
“There is a serious, unrecognized need out there,” Price said.
One in four seniors lives below the poverty line of $23,000 a year, he added.
“We want to chime the bell for organizers like the Prince George Council of Seniors, who pitch in and work hard and really deserve a lot of attention,” Price said. “They’re doing all this crucial work in the community, and people need to hear about it.”
Malhar Kendurkar, executive director of the Prince George Council of Seniors, said the council is humbled to be the recipient of the endowment fund held in trust by the Prince George Community Foundation.
“We have so many clients who need help,” Kendurkar said. “We have many programs to serve seniors. We have Meals on Wheels, Better at Home, Community Connections, a seniors’ housing navigator, caregiver support programs, and we rely on many volunteers to help with our front desk and throughout all our programs.”
It’s tax season, and the Prince George Council of Seniors is offering free tax services to low-income seniors aged 55 and older. In previous years, the service ran for two days, but due to high demand, it has been expanded to four days this year.
“There was such a demand for this much-needed service,” Kendurkar said. “We also have an advanced planning clinic, provided by Seniors First BC, for low-income seniors who need documents like a will, power of attorney, or representation agreements drawn up, which is so helpful.”
Another program, Meals on Wheels, has been managed by the Council of Seniors for the Prince George area for the last 20 years. Recently, it expanded into College Heights and the North Nechako areas under the guidance of new coordinator Andrew Agbenin. He has been able to accommodate everyone on the waiting list, which was more than 60 people. The program now serves about 152 clients, delivering between 360 and 380 meals each week. Seniors pay $9.50 per hearty meal, delivered by volunteers. There’s also a program where people can adopt a senior so that the meal is provided at no cost to them.
Rounding out the support for seniors, the Prince George Council of Seniors Emergency Fund will play a vital role.
“We were so pleased when we met with Anne and Ted and they told us they saw the need. Now, we will be able to address it,” Kendurkar said.
“It’s not often that people see how seniors are struggling in our community. Here at the Council of Seniors, we see it every day. Having an endowment fund will provide the funds every year, and that will make a huge difference. That’s what the Council of Seniors is so grateful for—having those funds to provide to seniors during emergencies.”
Miracle Theatre presents Lunenburg and Here in the Flight Path by Norm Foster from March 27 to April 23 at ArtSpace, above Books and Co. All proceeds from the shows will go to the Prince George Seniors Emergency Endowment Fund at the Prince George Community Foundation to help seniors in need meet essential expenses through the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre. Tickets are available at Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue, or by calling 250-563-6637.
