Left to right: Major Donald Bladen, Mallory Kristjanson, Joshua Day Chief, Julie Kissick. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta man hopes to inspire others to give back during pandemic

Apr 9, 2020 | 10:39 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The man that Lethbridge College recently referred to as a “rising star” looks to help those who have been impacted the most by the COVID-19 pandemic and inspire others to do the same.

Joshua Day Chief announced a donation of $5,000 this week to be distributed in the form of 50 $100 grocery gift cards.

“If we can all give a little bit then we can all make a big impact together. You know, we’re not going to save Lethbridge and area with 50 gift cards, but if we can inspire 20 or 30 other companies to say, give 50 gift cards, then I think we can do a lot together.”

He is the CEO of AdvancedAg Inc., an agricultural research firm in Southern Alberta that looks into, among other things, bacteria that can promote soil and crop health.

Day Chief says he is very fortunate that their company is considered an essential service and is still able to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, but recognizes that many are not in the same situation.

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AdvancedAg is owned by local First Nations, and originally, the donation was just going to help elders in the region who are struggling to make ends meets. After discussions with community leaders, the donation grew and he got involved with the Salvation Army and Streets Alive Mission.

Major Donald Bladen with the Salvation Army in Lethbridge says he was blown away by the generosity of Day Chief and other donors like him.

“To some degree, it leaves me to some degree speechless. I’m so warmed to know that people in our community are stepping up and helping where the need is greatest.”

According to Bladen, the Salvation Army is one of many non-profits that has been deeply impacted by the pandemic. While the demand for their services has risen in recent weeks, they were forced to close their thrift store, which is a significant source of income for the agency.

Those sentiments were echoed by Streets Alive Co-Founder Julie Kissick.

She put out an emergency response ask to encourage others who have the means of donating right now to do so.

“We have had pretty good results from that emergency response ask. People have been lining up because, in their hearts, they want to do something and we want to be able to give them something to do, something to give to because I believe people in their nature are generous, I believe our city in its core is very generous.”

Streets Alive has seen their demand double since many non-essential businesses were forced to close. They have been doing as many as 100 bagged lunches every day, which has strained their resources.

This is why Kissick’s group is working to set up a central warehouse where donations and supplies can be dropped off and non-profits can access it as they need.