Community Connections: Breynat Community Centre

When it comes to bringing neighbours together, the northeastern hamlet of Breynat, Alberta always hits it out of the park.

At MCSnet, we’re honoured to sponsor Breynat Community Centre through our Community Connections program. Our complimentary internet keeps their events and alarm system running in tip-top shape. Plus, we’ve donated $6,500 towards the construction of a new baseball dugout on their recreation grounds.

Let’s hear from Roxanne Snegirev, Secretary/Treasurer and learn how the internet is powering connections among neighbours.

What’s your mission, purpose, and passion as an organization?

Our mission is to provide a safe and clean community area where people can meet, interact with one another, and socialize. We’re passionate about creating a gathering space that we can be proud of. This is what unifies our community.

How has MCSnet’s donation and complimentary internet connection left a positive impact on your organization?

Yes, it’s definitely left a positive impact on us. Now, we can monitor our heating in the winter, we have internet in the hall, and we’ll have a beautiful baseball dugout.

Why are you enthusiastic about helping Albertans?

Alberta is a province that works very hard and holds our community together. There’s pride that comes with that and we like to be part of that.

In what ways has the internet opened up opportunities for your organization?

The internet helps us monitor our temperature in the hall. When having functions, the internet is an unbelievable help.

Can you tell us your favourite story about how you’re making a difference?

I was listening to some people from other areas talk about our recreation grounds and hall. They said they loved coming here, because we make them feel like they are at home. They commented how our grounds are huge and beautiful. For a small group of volunteers, we have accomplished a lot and have made visitors feel welcome. They have a sense of feeling like they are part of our community, even if they live in Fort McMurray.

What does making real connections in your community mean to you?

It feels great. That’s what makes a community. We want to know our neighbours, not be strangers to them.

If you had one piece of advice for organizations looking to improve connection in rural Alberta, what would it be?

Get your whole community involved somehow. As a volunteer, there is no job too small to play. Our hall is like a meeting place. Instead of visiting house to house, you get to visit or partake in activities all together.

What kind of future do you imagine for rural Alberta?

Hopefully a bright one. I think it will go back in time to how it used to be, more social functions and more helping each other. The community will be more tightly united.

Help Us Give Back to Rural Albertans

To us, getting you connected to high-speed internet means everything. That’s because we’re rural Albertans ourselves and want to see you prosper. When you subscribe to MCSnet, you help us provide free internet and donations to local nonprofits. Nominate your organization for our Community Connections program, or sign up for our rural internet today.