Village of Major resident raises funds for Crisis Centre

By Joan Janzen

Thanks to the initiative taken by a resident of the Village of Major, funds were raised for the West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre. Talented musicians, Kinjo and Young provided entertainment for the fundraiser, which took place at the Major Hall on April 20th.

Fiarra Nixon from Major hosted the event. “I’ve always wanted to hold an event like this to pay back the Crisis Centre who have helped me so much,” she said. “I chose Kinjo and Young as the entertainers. They ended their tour of Saskatchewan by doing this fundraiser and donated part of their fee to the Crisis Centre. They were fantastic!”

Fiarra Nixon was delighted to have her son Paul visit her, and attend the fundraising event she hosted for the Crisis Centre. SUBMITTED

Musicians Kinjo & Young provided entertainment for the fundraising event in Major on April 20th. All proceeds were donated to West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre. SUBMITTED

Save On Foods and the Kindersley Co-op pitched in by donating hamburgers, hotdogs and buns for the evening. Any food that remained after the evening concluded was given to the Crisis Centre for individuals they are helping to shelter.

“I had ten volunteers helping out. Special thanks to one woman behind the scenes, who did the posters and stuff,” Fiarra said. Donations of silent auction items also contributed to the success of the fundraiser.

A 2022 six-string electric guitar and case was donated by Rob and Gail Wiebe, as well as items from Mike’s Metal Art. Fiarra reported a grand total of $4,901.30 was raised and donated to the Crisis Centre, with approximately sixty people coming through the doors.

Michelle Weber, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre, spoke to the audience before the entertainment began. “She shared a lot, and it opened a lot of eyes,” Fiarra said. “A lot of people think the Crisis Centre doesn’t help in our area, but they cover a wide area. We achieved our goal of bringing awareness of what, where, why and who the West Central Crisis Centre is working so hard for.”

Before moving to Major, where she was able to find affordable housing and gain employment, Fiarra had constantly been on the move. She had lived in downtown east side Vancouver. “I have seen firsthand what happens to people when they can’t get support or help getting off drugs,” she said.

This single mother had been a victim of sexual assault, and her life had been in danger. “The threat was real; I was scared and ran to Whiterock, BC and worked for Angels Home Care Service,” she said.

After leaving BC and coming to Saskatchewan, she began writing stories for the New Canadian Stories Magazine. “I’m going to compile my stories in a book, and all proceeds will go to the Crisis Centre. Victims and survivors have found it helpful. They realize they can survive too and have a happy life,” she explained.

Her deep appreciation for the Crisis Centre began when she moved to Major. At that time, the centre offered her emotional support, care and counselling to help her heal from emotional trauma. The friendship they extended helped her realize there was someone who understood and cared.

“I’ve made good friends and am established in the community. I can wake up to birds singing and security; it’s just a lovely, lovely life,” she said.

Her life has inspired Fiarra to give back to the Crisis Centre by hosting the April 20th fundraiser, which she intends to become an annual event. “They have our backs,” she said, referring to the Crisis Centre. “We need to have their backs too.”