Community Links received a surprise donation from the Rotary Club of Airdrie on July 19.

Cal Coleman, a Family Violence Counsellor, was visiting the Rotary Club to talk about some of the Community Links programs when Bev Chinnery, President of The Rotary Club of Airdrie, surprised Cal with a cheque for $11,000.

Coleman was thrilled to receive the cheque that will go towards the Family Violence Services that help families with counselling, as well as basic necessities.

"It is basically dispersed to people very much in need within the community and supplies them with an opportunity if they can't afford counselling and so forth. Obviously, it helps them out a great deal and if they need basic necessities as well, whether that be food, something to feed their children as well."

People accessing services have nearly doubled over the last year, said Coleman, in what he believes is in part due to the state of the economy.

"There are people who are in desperate need. We were a pretty affluent province for a while but present economy has definitely turned the tide."

This is not the first time the Rotary Club has donated to Community Links. It was approximately a year ago the last time the Rotary Club made a donation.

"We've had a close relationship with the Rotary. Past people that have worked for Community Links have also been a part of the Rotary, and it is just very accommodating people and they care about the community."

On top of the donation, Coleman was also excited to share that Community Links will be offering more drop in services very shortly.

"We do have drop in services as well, that if people who need to come in and talk to someone, we do have staff available and we're going to expand that in the near future."