During the winter months our commercial kitchen is put to use by our four volunteer Kitchen Teams (on a rotating basis) to provide our members an opportunity to socialize while they enjoy a hot and wholesome lunch.
Our Social Committee plans and provides special events throughout the year; a Christmas Dinner & Dance, Trivia Night, Party Paint Night, and a fashion Show just to name a few.
Various areas of the facility get rented out to other organizations and individuals. Hearing clinics are held twice a month. The flu clinic gets set up yearly. Elections Canada has often used our facility. We also offer other health clinics through IERHA Community Wellness Team, Falls Prevention Program and AED and CPR training.
As a not-for-profit organization, Gimli New Horizons is funded by an IERHA grant to cover our one fulltime and one halftime employee positions. All members pay an annual $25 membership fee. Our major Centre fundraising activities are:
- the annual Pancake Breakfasts during the Icelandic Festival weekend each year which involves 300 volunteer hours contributed by 95 volunteers to serve 1120 meals.
- the Fall Supper in September where another 88 volunteers put in 320 hours of time to serve 380 meals.
- ongoing, monthly perogy making and sales which takes up a total of roughly 1300 hours put in by 350 volunteers and bringing in $5000 in revenue.
- rental of various areas of the facility for private functions such as receptions, birthday parties, meetings etc
We publish a monthly newsletter – HILITES – to keep our membership up to date on all the Centre activities. The newsletter is also available in a number of places within the community as well as on our Facebook page, website and emails to our membership.
All revenue generated goes towards maintaining the facility and the continued provision of programs and activities for our ever increasing membership. The facility is made available to us (at a nominal lease fee) by the RM of Gimli but all maintenance, upkeep and renovations are the responsibility of Gimli New Horizons.
As you can see, Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre is an integral part of the community and surrounding area. And we are getting busier every day!
