Over the weekend, Minto United Church was able to present a cheque to Brian Heany, Director of the Moose Jaw Christian Counselling Centre. The cheque worth just over $598 goes toward the centre which offers counselling. Janice Ogle, Office Administrator with Minto United Church, provided details.

“The money comes from a project that we started in 2017 called the Celebrations Box. Every Sunday we open our service by celebrating moments in our congregants' lives – birthdays, anniversaries, new babies – and they just donate

Brian Heany freely whatever they are capable of giving.”

“That money is collected every 2 months and every 2 months that board decides on a new local charity – we only do local charities – and we present them with money from the Celebrations Box.”

Money has been donated to many Moose Jaw organizations through the Celebration Box project including the Transition House, Riverside Mission, Joe's Place Youth Centre, and others.

“This month was the Moose Jaw Christian Counselling Centre. We just read through the work that they do and it sounded like something we wanted to help them with. They provide counselling services for whoever needs it; they don’t turn anyone away.”

According to Ogle, the Centre has been in operation since 1987. A typical counselling visit costs approximately $120 which covers the cost of staff, premises, and administration. The average customer will pay $75 in fees, then depending on whether or not the person has an employee assistance program, the rest of the fees will be paid for by donations raised.