As a non-profit organization and registered charity, the Eatonia Oasis Living personal care home has just enough to get by, especially when the resident capacity is low.
So, when a local farming business stepped in to support the facility, the “E.O.L. Growing Project” was created.
Located in the small town of Eatonia, Eatonia Oasis Living (EOL) provides 24-hour care and a comfortable home environment for those who need assistance, yet who do not yet qualify for long-term care. Community owned and operated, the facility can house up to 24 residents, though currently there are 6 vacancies.
The E.O.L. Growing Project came about at a Board of Director’s meeting, where concerns were brought forward about the low number of residents living at EOL and the uncertainty of the impact that the upcoming changes in healthcare would have on the facility. The idea of a farm project was discussed, but nothing was decided. One of EOL’s board members, Krista Stevens talked about this idea with Wade, her husband. Wade, along with his father, Jeff Stevens, and brother, Kevin Stevens are the local farmers who caught the vision of the E.O.L. Growing Project and donated the use of a quarter section of land.
Taking the initiative even further, Wade Stevens contacted G-MAC in Eatonia and invited them to partner in the project. G-MAC heartily agreed, and soon reached out to their suppliers for donations of seed and chemical. Soon the domino effect was on, the Kindersley & District Co-operative Ltd. donated fuel for the farming equipment, and the Kindersley Cargill donated canola seed.
The Stevens family proceeded to seed the land, and just recently completed the harvest, which yielded just over 5,200 bushels of canola. “We are so grateful to the Stevens family,” said Administrator, Cora Knuttila. “We look forward to this being an annual fundraiser.” Krista Stevens, Administrative Assistant, added, “We always have great support from the people of Eatonia and area. EOL is a wonderful facility, and our hope is that we will be here for many years to come. Projects such as these will help us do that.”
The G-MAC Ag Team set up an account of $15, 641.62— the cost of additional chemical needed over and above what was donated by their suppliers. EOL looks forward to more members of the community stepping forward to help them increase their profits from this year’s crop by making a donation to help pay off this debt.
For those wanting more information on the E.O.L. Growing Project, be sure to contact Cora Knuttila at (306) 967-2447, or send an email to eol@sasktel.net. For more information on what is offered at Eatonia Oasis Living, check out their website at www.eatoniaoasisliving.com or look them up on Facebook!
Image Source: Mallorie Rast/Kindersley Social
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