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For Gary Whitley, the image of the Salvation Army building on fire on Christmas Day is one he won’t soon forget.
The longtime volunteer was just finishing his own dinner with family when he received the devastating news of the blaze and immediately drove downtown to see it for himself.
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“We were heartbroken … absolutely heartbroken. It’s just probably the worst thing that could have ever happened on Christmas,” he told paNOW.
As a result of the fire, the building that once housed a thrift shop, and in more recent years a space for people to come get a meal, clothing or have someone to talk to, was a total loss.
Gary Whitley, a cook by trade, helps prepare a meal (Maj. Ed Dean/Submitted)
In terms of supports, the Salvation Army has had about 25 weekly volunteers and another 75 casual volunteers who would cycle in and out throughout the year.
Whitley began volunteering in 1990. While working at Sask. Polytech, he and a few others brought Christmas dinner over to the Salvation Army.
In the last five years, he and a friend handed out Christmas toys, and started a brunch program that ran three days a week and involved a bag style lunch for people who needed it. Since then, the program, under the leadership of Maj. Ed Dean, was expanded to six days a week.
“It wasn’t just a place for homeless people come to eat, it was people that had all kinds of problems and they would come get help; they would get clothes; they would get counseling. It’s just a huge blow because that place was so much. It is beyond words and most people don’t really know how much the Salvation Army contributed.”
On Dec. 15, the building also opened as a warm up shelter and on the night of the fire was two hours away from opening. There were seven employees assigned to shelter. Whitley who noted all the new lighting system and ceiling tiles installed by his friends, said it was a really beautiful place. The addition of a walk in fridge and freezer also helped provide more opportunities for donations and storing food.
“There’s no words to explain how much blood, sweat, and tears have gone into that place in the last while,” he said.
Due to surgery, Whitley said he has not been able to help out as much lately but has fond memories of the the kitchen area where he spent most of his time, the dining room, the chapel and the wall that had all the pictures of the folks that had come and gone.
“It was a huge loss, but Maj. Ed is a stalwart. He’ll get things together again.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation and according to Fire Chief Kris Olsen due to the complexities involved in a legacy type structure, it could be weeks before the origin of the fire is known.
Late Thursday, at the conclusion of a stakeholders meeting, it was decided the temporary warming shelter would be relocated to Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Urban Services and it will operate nightly from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. until Jan. 2.
In the meantime, local community groups and members have been stepping up in a big way and collecting donations, clothing and food. Anyone wishing to help, can do so through the Salvation Army social media page.
On Sunday the group Reaching Out provided a meal at St. Alban’s Anglican Cathedral. On Monday night, when the Raiders host the Swift Current Broncos, fans are encouraged to bring blankets, toques, mitts, sweaters and other winter gear.
Also, the Raiders will be donating half of their share of Mondays 50/50 to the Salvation Army.
