WELLINGTON – Sept. 29, 2021 – A variety of events and contests are being organized to celebrate and spotlight Co-op and Small Business Week Oct. 17-23. Several economic and co-op development organizations from the Evangeline region have partnered to organize these events, including some that are open to the entire province. Here is the list.
OCTOBER 1-15 – CHILDREN’S DRAWING CONTEST: Children from kindergarten through Grade 6 are invited to draw a picture of a co-op or business from the Evangeline and surrounding area and include a positive phrase of encouragement for 2021-2022. They can get the entry form from their teacher at Evangeline School or at the Wellington Co-op or download it from https://bit.ly/2W7d9yk. They must submit it to their teacher or in a box at the Co-op by the Oct. 15 deadline. The drawings will be posted at the Co-op until Oct. 22. There will be a random draw for great prizes.
OCTOBER 1 TO 18 – SENIORS’ HANDCRAFT CONTEST: All seniors, especially residents of Le Chez-Nous community care centre and Le Bel âge complex, are invited to make and submit handcrafted items for children (such as socks, mittens, toques, slippers, etc.) to a contest hosted by Wellington Co-op by Oct. 18. Be sure to attach your name and phone number. The crafts will be displayed at the Co-op until Oct. 22. A draw will be held among all the people who contributed crafts; the winner will receive a nice gift basket or other prizes. These creations will then be donated to the Summerside Salvation Army for distribution to children from needy families at Christmas time.
OCTOBER 1 TO 22 – COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE: Everyone who contributes non-perishable food items or a monetary donation to our community food drive will receive a ticket for a draw for a $100 Wellington Co-op gift card. Boxes will be set up near the entrance of the Co-op to accept your donations. The collection will then be donated to the Tyne Valley branch of the West Prince Caring Cupboard and Lennox Island food banks.
OCTOBER 18 TO 22 – SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE: Students from all grades are invited to bring non-perishable food items to Evangeline School. The class that brings in the most food per student will receive a $100 cash prize from Évangéline-Central Credit Union. The food will then be delivered to the Tyne Valley branch of the West Prince Caring Cupboard food bank by the school’s Geopolitics Class (high school level).
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19 – ENTREPRENEURS AND CO-OPERATORS BREAKFAST: All francophone entrepreneurs and co-operators are invited to attend the free Entrepreneurs’ & Co-operators’ Breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village. Following a full breakfast, RDÉE PEI will launch its Francophone Ignition Contest and the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI will launch its Entrepreneurial Awards Contest. The Coopérative de développement régional – Acadie will talk about its services and projects. Guest speaker Louis-Philippe Gauthier, director of provincial affairs for New Brunswick and PEI for the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, will speak about post-pandemic business recovery. The morning will conclude with drawings for door prizes. All interested parties are asked to register by Thursday, Oct. 14, by contacting Josée Ouellette at josee@rdeeipe.org or (902) 854-3439 ext. 228.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21 – CREDIT UNION DAY: Launch event planned for the credit unions being merged under the name Provincial Credit Union/Caisse populaire Provincial. Stop by one of the 10 branches to help celebrate this beautiful union of our strengths!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21 – BINGO AND ICE CREAM FOR RESIDENTS OF LE CHEZ-NOUS: Le Chez-nous Co-op will be hosting a Co-op Bingo and serving ice cream on the afternoon of Oct. 21 to celebrate Co-op Week. Again this year, only residents will be able to participate (due to pandemic restrictions.)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21 – CO-OP FORUM: All Evangeline area co-ops are invited to send two representatives to this forum, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Evangeline School in Abram-Village. The forum will begin with a free supper, sponsored by Évangéline-Central Credit Union. Each co-op will be invited to share its recent successes, challenges and future plans. The evening will also include a presentation of the Co-op Order of Merit to a deserving individual. (By invitation only.)
FRIDAY OCTOBER 22 – BARBECUE AT THE WELLINGTON COOP: Everyone is invited to come to the Wellington Co-op from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy a barbecued hamburger or hotdog and a bottle of water in exchange for a monetary donation to Every Child Matters. A cultural troupe from Lennox Island will perform a few selections in the parking lot (weather permitting). Draws for the week’s various contests will also be held during the day.