Staff photo by Lizz Bottrell
(l to r) Rick Martens, Teresa Daku and Brendan Gall handed out drinks during the celebration.

Staff photo by Lizz Bottrell
(l to r) Ann Daku, Ruth Brickley, Brenda Galbraith and Jackie Brickley were all very proud to help SARCAN and Kipling Industries celebrate their accomplishments.

Staff Photo By: Lizz Bottrell
(l to r) Kevin Action, Bev Galbraith, Lorne Rygh, Joanne Weir, Don Toth and Sean Collins. The Honourable Don Toth, Moosomin MLA, cut the ribbon to officially open the newest SARCAN recycling Depot.

By Lizz Bottrell, Citizen Staff

SARCAN and Kipling Industries celebrated an array of events on June 5 with the grand opening of SARCAN, an open house for Kipling Industries and SARCAN’s 20th birthday.

Many people attended the celebration which included hot dogs, drinks and a birthday cake. Some people traveled as far away as Moosomin and Kennedy in order to congratulate SARCAN and Kipling Industries on their success. Quite a few clients at Kipling Industries helped out with the day’s events by handing out drinks and hot dogs or simply by giving a great big smile.

Gil and Sheila Margetts of Kennedy brought Ruth Brickley to the celebrations so that she could share in the day with two of her children, Jackie and Darcy, both who are clients at Kipling Industries. During a conversation with Ruth and Jackie, the real love that develops and grows inside Kipling Industries came into light. Jackie became upset while she was remembering a past event and no sooner than she first shed a tear, Brenda Galbraith was by her side. “It’s okay Jackie,” said Galbraith. “Jackie’s my friend. We’ve been together here now for a long time.”

Galbraith spent a few minutes by Jackie’s side talking about how great of a friend Jackie was and how she helped take care of her. She then went on to talk about Jackie’s new walker. “It works really well for her,” said Galbraith. “She just goes now. She really enjoys it, she loves it. She goes like a wild bird.”

A few dignitaries were also in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony that officially opened SARCAN’s newest recycling depot. Moosomin MLA, The Honourable Don Toth, who was present at the celebrations, even received a guided tour by Tony Brule, SARCAN manager. As a member of the community who grew up in nearby Langbank, Mr. Toth always pays great respect to all the ventures in the area. “You are a valuable aspect to the community,” said Mr. Toth. “You provide many men and women the ability to be a part of the community. If it wasn’t for you and the community members, this wouldn’t be possible.”

All the dignitaries, which included Joanne Weir, Executive Director of Kipling Industries; Bev Galbraith, Kipling Industries board representative; Lorne Rygh, R.M of Kingsley; Kevin Acton, Assistant Director of Operations/General Manager of Processing and Special Projects, SARCAN; and Sean Collins, General Manager of Collection Systems, SARCAN, gave a congratulation to SARCAN and Kipling Industries.

Collins’ congratulations reminded Kipling the role Kipling Industries played in the building of SARCAN and the role SARCAN and Kipling Industries plays in the community to this day. “Back in 1988, we started in the back of woodworking shops in 28 SARC member centres,” said Collins. “Kipling Industries has been with us from those early days and has grown and improved with the evolution of SARCAN. Since opening in 1991, this depot has collected almost 16 million containers from the residents of Kipling and diverted 806 tonnes of waste from the town’s landfill.”