Creston Valley Den Society
Friends of the Den February 2026 Update
1. Extreme Weather Response Shelter – This overnight sleeping shelter was open at Trinity United Church for six nights in February, triggered by cold or inclement weather as determined by Team Lead, Polly Sutherland of Ankors, Cranbrook. Thank you to Cindy Berdahl (Drop In coordinator) who took on the added role of EWR Shelter coordinator. Thanks as well to those who applied to staff the shelter. They accommodated approximately six people on different nights for part or all of the night. In future, we hope that Creston will be able to offer permanent shelter or at least regular nightly shelter through the winter months. Thank you to everyone who continues to advocate for a Permanent or Temporary Winter Shelter in Creston!
2. Hope for the Unhoused Fundraising Campaign – Thanks to our always generous community, we were able to raise almost $10,000 in donations during the months of December and January! Please see the attached Thank You Letter that was sent to each donor. We include all of you in this thank you, as volunteers and Friends of the Den.
3. Official Charitable Status – After nine long months of waiting, we received our official charitable status number on January 26!! Thanks to the hard work of treasurer, Karen Shannon, we are now able to issue our own Tax Receipts for donations. We will also be eligible for more grant opportunities now that we have our charitable status. This is a big win!
4. Free Food Safe Training – We are thrilled to offer a free Food Safe Training course for interested Drop In and Kitchen volunteers on March 14 at Trinity United Church (see attached flyer). If you have not signed up yet, please contact me (Nancy DeVuono) at info@crestonvalleydensociety.ca to register.
5. “No Fixed Address – The White Care Memorial” Film Screening – Join us on April 13 at 2 pm at Trinity United Church for this documentary film highlighting the challenges and heartache of grieving loved ones who have suffered with homelessness, addictions and mental illness. Details to follow regarding registration (no charge)
6. Welcome New Board Member – Steve Morrison, our former practicum student, has been helping out at Drop In as an auxiliary staff member and has now joined the Creston Valley Den Society Board as our newest member! Thank you Steve and welcome!
7. Community Donations and Engagement – We are constantly gratified by the amount of positive feedback and goodwill we receive from the community for the work of the Den and our Drop In program. New businesses, individuals and organizations show up at our door regularly with donations and offers of support. Thank you to them and all of you for promoting the work of the Den Society and recognizing the needs of the unhoused and marginally housed in our community. Keep it coming!
8. Creston Community Action Team (CAT) – If you are a Facebook User, please like and follow our page “Creston Valley Unhoused Education and Resources”, a joint venture of the CAT and the Den. Watch for articles, interviews, advertisements and community events that promote understanding and support of our marginalized citizens. Together, we are “Saving Lives Through Support and Connection”.