Lacombe and District Big Brothers Big Sisters group was pleased this month to have another family step up as the Landlord of the Month, and celebrated another special donation in honour of a lost loved one. 

The Stingel family of Lacombe, lead by matriarch Karen, wanted to support this local organization in special honour of Karen's late husband, Dan. 

"Ever since my husband Dan passed away, we've been donating in his name around the anniversary of his death or around his birthday. His birthday would have been in February so we chose to support Big Brothers Big Sisters this year," Karen said. 

She said her husband was a loving community member who had also volunteered with many local organizations. 

"Dan was a big community care person. I see a lot of programs around town supported by Big Brothers Big Sisters and having a family member involved with them kind of opened my eyes as to what they're all about," she explained. 

November 2019 marked five years since Dan's passing, and Karen said the family simply wanted to do something a bit bigger to remember this milestone year. 

"It kind of gives you the 'warm-fuzzies' and feels like he's still around, riding around on our shoulders telling us what to do," Karen said. “There’s a lot of places you can donate, but I like to see our community thrive by itself and not have to extend their hand out to other types of programs.”

In the past, the Stingel family has supported the Lacombe Food Bank through various donations as well as brightening up hospitals or long-term care facilities with flowers or other small gestures. 

The Landlord of the Month donated $1,000 to help cover the mortgage costs for BBBS Lacombe in the Bamford House. For this month, the family said the donation was made "In loving memory of Dan Stingel, who loved his community as much as we loved him." 

BBBS Executive Director Crystal Zens said that they are extremely grateful to have the support of a local business that has offered to cover the remaining Landlord of the Month spots for 2020, with the exception of November's payment, which will be sponsored by Dawn Parent. She said the business has asked to remain anonymous, but that their support will not go unthanked and unnoticed. 

Right now, BBBS is continuing to look forward to their annual Bowl For Kids' Sake event, which is being run a little differently this year. Traditionally, the 'adult' bowling event was held in March, however, this year adults will show their support through a September event. 

BBBS Lacombe and District was named a recipient of the recent 'Night Among the Stars' fundraiser, which was held in Blackfalds last week to support the Dancer's Edge Parent Association and BBBS. 

Local schools will still see the Bowl for Kids' Sake event happen next month, and sponsors and donors are still being accepted for that program and additional mentors are always in high demand. Zens explained that due to being a recipient of the Night Among the Stars, they decided to split up the Bowl For Kids' Sake events. 

The adult evening of the bowling fundraiser will take place in September during Big Brothers Big Sisters Month.