Saskatoon Employees Celebrate 50 Years of Service

Chris Bennett, Acting Director of Saskatoon City Area Office (left), Jayne Mallin, LAS CEO (middle), and Samantha Neill, Acting Legal Director of Saskatoon Rural Area Office (right)

It was a beautiful afternoon when Legal Aid Saskatchewan employees, community supporters, clients and justice partners gathered in Friendship Park in downtown Saskatoon for a celebratory BBQ to mark 50 years of service to the people of the province!

Samantha Neill, Acting Legal Director of the Saskatoon Rural Area Office, said one of the goals for this event was to “attract a broad demographic to connect with one another in a social environment and share who Legal Aid is and what we do.”

This collaboration between the Saskatoon Rural and Saskatoon City Area Offices made for a successful event. “We wanted to work together to create something we could all be proud to share with our colleagues, community partners and clients,” Neill remarked. “There was such a great spirit of cooperation and genuine joy in the gathering that it was almost palpable. I was so grateful to be part of it!”

Chris Bennett, Acting Director of the Saskatoon City Area Office, remarked, “I am always impressed with how our people get on together and have clear compassion for the people in our community that need our help – so seeing the generosity of spirit and camaraderie shown among the staff working together to make this event a success [was wonderful].”

Elder Peter Gardippi blessed the gathering and the meal, and shared some of his own connections with LAS. Guests mingled while sharing stories and making new connections. The BBQ hotdogs and anniversary cake were well enjoyed by all! There was even an opportunity to challenge one’s familiarity of Legal Aid with a “Wheel of Knowledge” trivia game!

“My favourite part was when I stood back for a moment and saw people lined up at the BBQ, people walking into the area from the sidewalk to join us, folks seated and folks standing, chatting and laughing in the sunshine!” Neill said.

Neill, Bennett and everyone at Legal Aid Saskatchewan are thankful for the support of the Saskatoon Co-operative Association Ltd., FASD Network of Saskatchewan, Sunview Solariums and Hard Knox Talks: Your Addiction Podcast!