After the dissolution of the Weyburn and District United Way in December, there were questions surrounding the future of the Communithon in the Opportunity City. At a community Communithon meeting on January 16, it was decided the 38th Annual Communithon will go forth with some fresh ideas.

One of the biggest takeaways from the meeting that saw roughly 25 in attendance, was the decision regarding amalgamating under the Regina United Way or to start a new and separate fundraising group for Weyburn.

It was agreed upon that the process of a starting a new non-profit charitable organization was not worth the headache and paperwork, especially when the Regina United Way will handle the administrative work with all the funds being raised in Weyburn staying in the hands of the local member agencies. 

Donations to stay in the community can still be made anytime, but cheques will need to be made out to the United Way Regina.

Weyburn will now need to enact a 'Community Leadership Group' that will be in contact with the Regina branch and make recommendations for funding and other decisions regarding the United Way's presence in Weyburn. 

Former President Sabrina Kraft assured that the United Way Canada supported the move and the Weyburn area had already been approved for a Regina takeover. 

The newly formed leadership team will be in charge of fundraising efforts throughout the year, organizing and putting on Communithon, as well as determining the allocation of all funds raised. 

This committee will be made up of a representative from each of the Weyburn member agencies, as well as any community members who wish to take part and shape the future of the Communithon in Weyburn.

Attendance and fundraising numbers, as well as general support of the 37-year-old event, have declined in the past few years, but former board members and member agencies are hoping some fresh ideas can help bring the Communithon back to its glory days.

Ideas that were discussed and will be further decided upon by the community group is a possible venue change, as the idea of moving the Communithon back to the Legion was discussed at length during the 90-minute meeting.

Different forms of entertainment, a bigger build-up and trying to bring the energy back into the event were all talked about on Wednesday night. 

The overall arching theme of the meeting was Communithon has a legacy and a history in Weyburn that has stood the test of time and it needs to exist in one way or another. Whether it means a two-day or a 12-hour fundraiser, bringing back the shopping carts, a night-long celebration of the city or whatever it may be, Weyburn needs to rally and make sure Communithon stays alive and well for years to come.

All the logistics, and most importantly a venue, will be decided at the next community meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, January 29 in the Community Room at the Weyburn Credit Union at 7:00 p.m. All community members are welcome to attend and have their voice heard to try and better the Communithon and other fundraising efforts throughout the year.