Brogan gives back with 30-hour homeless stint to raise donations for less fortunate

At lunchtime on Friday, December 13, Brogan Safety Supplies Ltd. Branch Manager Marc Chayer had just set himself up in front of the Family Worship Centre, uptown behind Tim Hortons. He had brought in a burning barrel, a large pile of wood, a trailer and a pop-up canopy tent. For the fourth time, Chayer would be remaining outside for 30 hours to help raise donations for two fantastic community organizations.

“I’m out here collecting either food, clothes, or cash donations to be split between the Whitecourt Food Bank and Lorne’s Blanket. It’s that time of year again and it’s been a rough year for a lot of people in our community, so we decided to do this again and help out.” Chayer has done the event four times in the last five years and said that the act itself is to remind people of struggle.

“For some people, this is reality and an everyday thing. For me, its 30 hours. Once I’m done, I pack up and head home, but others don’t have that. It starts wearing on you especially the midnight hours where things get quiet and cold and you have to tough it out.” He said everyone tends to get into the giving spirit over the holidays which is great, but that he wants people to remember that the need exists far beyond Christmas.

“In January they need help. In February they need help. In March they need help and it goes on and on. We’re all watching our neighbours struggle, lose houses and going without, so if you have it to give, even a little bit, then help them out. It has to be a 12-month type of thing because nobody is going to fix this mess but us, the community.” Chayer added that being outside is a trade off with everyone who donates. “Our way of paying it back is, I’ll stay out here for 30 and you go donate something and we will call it even.”

The first year of Brogan Gives Back, Chayer said it was brutally cold. Temperatures were nearing -30 with the wind and, even though it was rough, he stuck it out for the cause. This year, the temperature was much more favourable, hovering around -14, but cold is cold. He hopes that it sticks with people and reminds them to keep the community’s less fortunate in mind throughout the year. “We started this to raise a bit of money and to bring attention to the issues. When you look at the food bank, many of the people using it are seniors who can’t afford both medicine and food and it spans across the community.”

In today’s employment climate, many families are struggling to pay bills, buy groceries, and survive. Making sure the food bank is well stocked is a huge way to help and keeping it stocked all year ensures that help is there regardless of the month. Supporting Lorne’s Blanket helps make sure that those who are homeless have a safe place to sleep and receive the help needed to get back on their feet.

When he was preparing for the parking lot stay-over, Chayer said he sent out notices to business contacts all over the country and even in the United States urging them to donate where they are. “If you can’t give here then give someplace else. At this time of year, donate a can of beans, a present, or a coat. It all helps.”

He said he is immensely grateful to those who donated and to anyone who donates to support those who are less fortunate. “To everybody who donates, thank you. Get out there and get your neighbours’ backs and help. Maybe next year we won’t have to stand out here for 30 hours again. That’s what we want everybody to remember is that in January, the problem is still there.”