Northern Haven Support Society filled an entire van with donations in just four hours, as the Slave Lake community once again stepped up to support women and children leaving abuse.

The organization held its annual Fill the Van fundraiser outside Walmart from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 29.
Shelly May Ferguson, executive director of Northern Haven Support Society, says this year’s fundraiser was a success.

“We totally filled the van,” says Ferguson. “We have all that we need for the kids and women that come in the shelter.”
Among the donations were diapers, school snacks, school supplies and items for women, including pajamas, underwear, and socks.

Ferguson says diapers and school snacks are particularly helpful because Northern Haven goes through large quantities of them throughout the year.

When several children staying at the shelter are attending school, she says the cost of providing daily snacks can quickly add up.
“The donation of school snacks really helps us out,” says Ferguson.

Fill the Van has been held for more than a decade. Ferguson estimates this may have been around the 14th year for the fundraiser. It was not held last year because work was being done on the Walmart parking lot.

The fundraiser originally focused on school supplies before expanding to include other items needed by children and women staying at the shelter.

“And the community’s always showed up,” says Ferguson. “They’re amazing.”

Walmart has also allowed Northern Haven to park its van outside the store throughout the fundraiser’s history. Ferguson says the location makes it easy for people to purchase an item while shopping and donate it on their way out.

She credits Northern Haven board members with making the fundraiser happen, with members working shifts outside the store and speaking with residents about what the organization was collecting.

“We really did fill that van in four hours,” she says. “It was amazing what they did.”

Northern Haven marks 30 years

The successful fundraiser comes during a milestone year for Northern Haven. The organization is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Slave Lake after incorporating in 1996.

Northern Haven did not have its shelter for all of those years. Ferguson says the shelter opened in 2008, while outreach programming was already available before the shelter opened.

“We count on the community to really help us make a difference in the lives of women and children who are leaving abuse,” she says.
Ferguson is also marking a milestone of her own.

September marks 15 years since she first joined Northern Haven as a casual worker in 2011. Within about six months, she became executive director.

It was not the career she initially expected. In 2014, Ferguson left her hospital position and focused on her work with Northern Haven.

“I never knew that that’s the way my life is going to end up,” she says. Now, Ferguson says she is proud to be part of a feminist organization advocating for women’s rights.

“It’s very fulfilling, and I’m glad I ended up here,” she says.

Northern Haven will mark its 30 years in the community with its annual open house and spaghetti dinner on Nov. 12 at the Legacy Centre.

Ferguson says the organization plans to make this year’s dinner part of its anniversary celebration. Northern Haven staff will also be there with information booths about its programs and services.

Residents who missed Fill the Van can still support Northern Haven throughout the year. Ferguson says the organization accepts donations, although it generally cannot take used clothing because it does not have enough storage space.

Northern Haven has a partnership with the SPEC Thrift Store that allows clients to access needed clothing free of charge, including after they leave the shelter.

For Ferguson, the response to Fill the Van is another example of the support Northern Haven has received during its decades in Slave Lake.

“More now than ever, we really need it,” she says. “It was amazing to see everybody come out on Saturday and help us out.” If anyone wants to donate to the Northern Haven, contact them at nhssdirector@hotmail.com.

Julia Magsombol
Lakeside Leader