Strathmore FCSS and Wheatland FCSS in collaboration with a number of other local community organizations have assembled 300 Wellness Bags that will go to vulnerable residents like seniors and those with disabilities.

Melissa Masse, Community Support Coordinator with Strathmore FCSS states, “Many vulnerable residents are facing ongoing isolation due to winter weather and COVID-19. The Wellness Bags are filled with activities, crafts, and hand written letters to reduce depression and to increase wellness during the winter season.”

According to Strahmore FCSS, the bags include items such as colouring books, pencil crayons, word search books, a craft, hot chocolate, handmade cards, playdough, stress balls, recipe books, and much more. The bags will be distributed this month to residents in Strathmore and Wheatland County through seniors housing organizations, Bridging the Gap, Wheatland FCSS, and Strathmore FCSS.

In addition to the bags, students from Ecole Brentwood Elementary created handwritten cards featuring drawings and messages from each student.

The Wellness Bags project was made possible through the contributions and donations of Alberta Health Services, Bridging the Gap, Calgary Rural Primary Care Network, Canada Post, Communities in Bloom, Eagle Lake Landscaping, Hope 4 the Future, Strathmore Library, and the Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce.