Fall 2014 - Kids Kottage

Newsletter
Fall 2014
Kids Kottage’s Mission is to support families in crisis and prevent child abuse and neglect
Kids Kottage
Earth Angels
Happy Thanksgiving
Kids Kottage is going green!
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Inside Highlights
pg 3 • Donor Appreciation
pg 7 • Draw for 2014 Mustang
pg 9 • Volunteer Appreciation
Thanksgiving
“Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today, and creates a
vision for tomorrow.”
~ Melody Beattie
As the season of Thanksgiving approaches we, at Kids Kottage, extend our sincere
gratitude to those in our community who give so tirelessly of themselves, their time
and their resources to keep the doors open in a place called, ‘Kids Kottage’.
The Kids Kottage newsletter is
published three times annually.
If you would like to contribute
or have any questions or
concerns, please contact us at:
10107 - 134 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5E 1J2
Telephone: 780-448-1752
Fax: 780-441-9893
Graphic Design:
Roaring Mouse Graphics
Printing:
Xtreme-Print
Board of Directors:
Nolan Berg, Board Chair
Robin Bobicel
Troy Chalifoux
Tracy Dalzell-Heiss
Christine Felix
Patricia Hebert
Rob Heron
Kirstan Jewell
Brad Klak
Kunal Nand
Mary O’Neill
Dan Peskett
Rosanna Saccomani QC
The children are enjoying a Kottage that has been renewed. They love the bright new
surroundings. We can tell by their, ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’. The staff are encouraged to have
refurbished surroundings; children, staff and volunteers alike are especially grateful for
the air conditioning donated by 945 Developments.
We are thankful to all of you, our friends and donors, for your support this past year.
Your efforts on our behalf make it possible for Kids Kottage to be here, “to help ensure
that children receive the parenting they deserve when their families are in crisis or in
need of respite.”
Because of you, we will be able to
provide parenting groups and food
security groups, and send children to
Tim Hortons recreational and leadership
camps, as well as hold family camp this
summer. Without your generous help
Kids Kottage cannot do our work.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Children’s creativity
Getting on
the bus
A brand new
kitchen
Canadian Publications Mail
Agreement Number: 40012822
Stock photography: istockphoto.com, 123rf.com
2
FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER
Donor
Appreciation
On April 30, 2014, Kids Kottage took extreme pleasure in celebrating our donors.
This event is very special to all who attend. It is an opportunity for those donors who
faithfully supported Kids Kottage over the previous three years, to enjoy each other’s
company and enjoy the fabulous buffet in the Grand Ball Room of the Chateau Louis
Hotel & Conference Centre.
Councillor Bev Esslinger of Ward 2 addressed the donors. How gratifying to hear
Bev tell of her involvement in Kids Kottage 19 years ago. Bev hired our own Fund
Development Director, Pam Miller!
Bev Esslinger, Counsellor Ward 2 Edmonton
Together we celebrated the work of Kids Kottage and the
achievements of the children and families who use the Kottage.
Visit kidskottage.org/kids-kottage-donor-appreciation-2014?id=730
Harpist Terry McDade
Pam Miller
Ice Sculpture
NEWSLETTER FALL 2014
3
Generosity: The habit of giving
freely without expecting
anything in return.
Al Shamal Patrol Arabs grant $5,000
to help children and their families
Flamen Foundation donates $10,000
Deloitte holds Customer Appreciation
and donates to Kids Kottage
City of Edmonton Transportation
donates the proceeds of their
coffee fund
Caleb, 6 years, brings birthday gifts
to Kids Kottage
Louise Gibson, of Brookfield
Residential, addresses the generous
golfers at their golf tournament that
raised nearly $9,000 for Kids Kottage
CDI raises money for Kids Kottage
Marcus brings gifts for the children at
Kids Kottage
Go Auto Pays it Forward
Auto companies that are part of the Go Auto Conglomerate gave
their employees a $500 bonus at the end of 2013. They were not to
keep it for themselves, however. They were instructed to choose a
charity or charities to donate it
to! Kids Kottage was the happy
beneficiary of several of these
“Pay It Forward” donations!
Thanks Eddie Schtay, Daniel Buck and
Reid Carruthers for choosing Kids Kottage to benefit from your bonus!
4
University of Alberta Summerfest
benefits Kids Kottage
FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER
A man named Earl...
... raises $33,000 for children and families
experiencing crisis with nowhere else to turn.
Earl Klapstien from Eddie’s Men’s
Wear told his friends that if they made
donations to Kids Kottage that totalled
$5,000 he would shave his beard and
Eddie’s Men’s Wear would match the
donation!
It took no time at all for donations to
reach a total of $5,000. So Earl raised the
ante – could his friends’ donations total
$7,500? Again, Eddie’s Men’s Wear would
match the donation. EVERYONE WAS
SO EXCITED to imagine a donation to
Kids Kottage for $15,000!
Eddies Men’s Wear raised another
$11,000 on its own!
even bigger challenge. If he would cut his
hair as well as his beard, another donor
offered $10,000.
Earl raised $33,000 for children and
families experiencing crisis with
nowhere else to turn.
Pablo so aptly said, “Never underestimate
the difference YOU can make in the lives
of others. Step forward, reach out and
help.” Earl not only helped children and
families, and encouraged staff at Kids
Kottage but also helped others to “step
up and help.”
Then, the day of the shave, Earl
announced that he had
accepted an
Earl announces fundraiser at Premier’s Breakfast,
May 2014
Earl waits,
clippers in hand
“Never underestimate the difference
YOU can make in the lives of others.
Step forward, reach out and help.”
~ Pablo
NEWSLETTER FALL 2014
5
17th Annual Breakfast
with Premier Dave Hancock
Over $30,000 Raised For Children and Families
Premier’s Breakfast 2014, sponsored
by Bell Canada, benefitted the children
and families Kids Kottage serve in
several ways. Each year, about 600
families find the help they need at Kids
Kottage to keep their children safe
during trying circumstances, when
exhausted, or overwhelmed. This EARLY
INTERVENTION PROGRAM has
proven its worth as a vital safety net in
our community for nearly 20 years.
View our new Kids Kottage video at
www.kidskottage.org. It is humbling
to see how easily circumstances and
situations can become the harbingers
of child abuse and neglect. Thanks to
Amplomedia for helping us to tell our
story.
Guest Speaker, Premier
Hancock, reminded us all that
children are Alberta’s greatest
resource and it is important
that we support and help their
families to raise their little
6
ones to become strong and vibrant. It is
important to ‘be there when the bottom
falls out’ and there is nowhere else to
turn for help.
Bridget Ryan from Breakfast TV was
our MC and auctioneer for this fabulous
morning. Bridget’s wonderful sense of
humour roused us all to be generous
toward this worthy cause. Those in
attendance were also encouraged by
the wise words of the Premier and Kids
Kottage Board Chair, Trish Hebert, and
participated well in both the live and
silent auctions, making this Premier’s
Breakfast a most
successful one.
Many thanks
to all of those who
made the breakfast
successful and fun:
Premier David Hancock
Bell Canada
Gena Cohoe
Dolce Soleil Spa
Goose Hummock Golf Resort
Jurassic Forest & Learning Centre
Carie’L Salon & Spa
Northlands
Loretta Strong
Hannah Gazso (vocalist)
Bridget Ryan CityTV BT
Amplomedia
Cally’s Tea House
Daytona Homes Master Builder
Edmonton Eskimo Alumni
Greenland Garden Centre
Fifendekel
L Squared Style
Prairie Mill Bread Co.
The Organic Box
Samantha Wiltzen (vocalist)
Batstar Kayak Adventure Tours
Karen & Don Clipperton
Boris Djordjevic
Fabulous Balloons
Bob Horton
Fred Katz Photography
Nev’r Dun Acres
Production World
Salisbury Greenhouse
FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER
Golf 2014
Kids Kottage enjoyed working in
partnership with the Edmonton
Chamber of Commerce at their 45th
Annual Chamber Golf Tournament and
their first charity tournament to benefit
Kids Kottage Foundation, Thursday,
June 19, 2014 at the Quarry Golf Club.
Kottage a 1964 Ford Mustang coupe. The
car was present at the tournament where
volunteers sold all available tickets at the
golf tournament and raised $10,000
for Kids Kottage!! However, it was just
the beginning of what was to be in store
for Kids Kottage Foundation.
A full tournament of enthusiastic golfers
showed their heart for our charity by
entering the “Beat the Pro” contests in
large numbers. They learned more about
Kids Kottage through reading reports
from real clients of the help they received
from Kids Kottage and by meeting
Kottage volunteers and staff on the
course.
The person holding the winning ticket,
announced at the golf tournament
banquet, will receive his keys at another
exciting event on August 21, 2014. On
that day, the lucky winner of the 1964
Ford Mustang will drive his vehicle
home. And Kids Kottage will begin
selling tickets ($20 each) on the second
donation from Empire Collision...
wait for it... a 2014 Ford Mustang
Coupe! The winner of the 2014 Ford
Mustang will be drawn December 17th.
Visit kidskottage.org/empire-collision50th-anniversary-celebration?id=710
for all the details and find the link to
RSVP to the Empire Collision’s gala!
There will be even more surprises at
the Gala. You do not want to miss this
exciting event.
The proceeds of the tournament received
a very big boost thanks to Empire
Collision. Empire Collision celebrates
50 years of service in Edmonton this
year. This coincides with the 50th
anniversary of Ford MUSTANG. Empire
Collision brought the two events together
in a most ingenious way. This generous
company marked their 50th anniversary
in Edmonton by donating to Kids
NEWSLETTER FALL 2014
Fifty years of Mustangs
and 50 years of Empire
Collision providing
excellent service to the
Edmonton community.
Thanks Empire Collision
for making the children
and families of Edmonton
and surrounding area the
biggest winners over all!
7
“Here’s to all volunteers, those dedicated people
who believe in all work and no pay.”
~ Robert Orben
Hope World Wide Canada
Gracepoint Youth Group helped prepare for
Santa’s Workshop
Oiler 50/50
Workers Compensation Board set up Santa’s
Workshop and decorated the Kottage for Christmas
Circle Kiwanis International washed walls and
other big housekeeping chores
Four families donated 27 Easter baskets and the
ENTIRE Easter meal
Volunteers from Chateau Lacombe
EPCOR team
Taylor Cloney
8
FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER
Volunteer
Appreciation
What a fabulous lot of fun we had with our volunteers on June 17th. Lots of music
and laughter coming from the St. Michael’s room. Bare ’n Von Hair spoofed with
the volunteers non-stop. Everyone played Yahtzee. It was amazing how many people
had not played that game for years or had, indeed, never played it all! What kind of
odds and ends do you carry in your purse? If one were to carry one of everything
on the list that was read, it would necessitate a very large purse indeed. Lots of
winners and lots of camaraderie. Exactly the way a Volunteer Appreciation should be!
Visit: kidskottage.org/volunteer-appreciation-2014?id=730 to see more photos.
Glo Wilson, Coordinator of Programs Supports
Outgoing Chair, Trish Hebert; Incoming Chair,
Nolan Berg
Pam presents Trish Hebert with gift of appreciation
for her time spent as Chair of the Board of Directors
Kira Smith sings for the volunteers
Okay people, let’s make music!
I want a Yahtzee!
NEWSLETTER FALL 2014
9
Donors April 1 to June 30, 2014
Alan and Yvonne Aben
Tom Achtymichuk
Air Liquid Canada
Al Shamal Shriners Past Officers,
Patrol Marching Unit Assoc
Alberta Government
Alberta Motor Association
Rob Albright
Valerie and Ken Allers
Allie Alm
Al-Terra Engineering Ltd
Paul Amundson
Lorna Anton
Apiaries Of Alberta Pride
Angela Armstrong
Neda Asadi
Astro Jump
ATCO I-Tek Inc
ATCO Pipelines
Athena Donair
Kellly Babcook
Beryl Bacchus
Backtrack Railways Service Ltd
Michael Baker
Mark Bamford
Todd Banks
Cindy Barclay
Margaret Bateman
BatStar Adventure Tours
Michael Becher
Vi Becker
Bell Media
Carol and D Bentley
Henry Bereznicki
Cynthia and Nolan Berg
Berg Consulting
Chad and Karen Bergstreiser
Tracey Beshara
Michael Beyer
Vic Bidzinski
Bin 104 Fine Wine and Spirits Ltd
E Bitner
BJ Electric Supplies Ltd.
Darren Bland
BMO Nesbitt Burns
Body Works Massage Clinic
Ryan and Stacey Bootsman
Glen Bosecke
Brian Bouckaert
Scott Boyer
Norma Bradley
Brookfield Residential (Alberta)
LP - Edmonton
Brownlee LLP
Leslie Buckler
Sophie Buffalo
Charlene Buffalo
Josephine Buffalo
John Burt
Jason Byrne
Cally’s Teas
Cameron Plumbing & Heating
Lisa Campbell
Carrie’l Salon & Spa
Carrington Properties Ltd
Tage Cawley
CBM Lawyers
CBM Office Automation
CDI College
Chambers & Sons
Maria Cherian
Sandra Chipchar
CIIBIS Inc
Mr. Scott Clark
Karen and Don Clipperton
Cloverdale Paint
Cobs Bread
Diane Cockburn
Jean Coglon
Gina Cohoe
Rob Cole
Rick Collins
Ryan Collins
Paul Collins
Concept Engineering Inc.
Ryan Condon
Kierra Condon
10
Cook County Saloon
John Coulter
Crystal Glass Canada Ltd
Culligan
James Cumming
Don Cummings
Wade Cummings and
Geraldine Scott
Curtis J. Shell Professional
Soghra Dastouri
Daytona Capital Corp.
Peter Delorenzo
DES Engineering
John Devaney
Monique DeVries
Ethel DeWitt
Diocese of St. Paul, Paroisse
St. Emile, Legal
DIRTT Environmental Solutions
Boris Djordjevic
DK Ford Sales Ltd
Dolce Vita Homes LP
Reginald Dombroski
Shannon and Brad Dompe
David Dorward
J.E. and Brenda Doucet
Tim Downey
Drive Solutions
Stefan DuChene
Melanie Ducholke
Savannah Duchscher
Patrick Dumelie
Robert Dunseith
Dana and Jane Dyck
Agnes Dytiuk
Earls Clareview
Earl’s Tin Palace
Eddie’s Men’s Wear Ltd
Edmonton Area Council
One Society
Edmonton Community
Foundation
Edmonton Eskimo Alumni
Association
Elsafadi Brothers Supermarket
Peter and Patricia Elzinga
Empire Clothing
Empire Collision Group
Jason Ennis
EPIC Brands Outlet
Allanna Ergang
Eric Schloss Prof Corp
Essmy Ecole Secondaire Sainte
Marquerite d’Youville School
Fabulous Balloons
Family Support for Children
with Disabilities
Hon. Kyle Fawcett
Cassie Fehr
Christine Felix
Jacquie Fenske
Andrea Ferguson
Field Management Services
Fife N’ Dekel
Tammy Forbes
Joan Forge
Shelley Forsyth
Fortis Alberta Inc
Marguerite Frank
Frank J Flaman Foundation
Fransceco’s Hair Group
Bernice and Laurie Fraser
Krista Frattin
Fred Katz Photography Ltd
Linda Fuchs
Laura Gadowsky
Corey Gay
Grant and Cori Lyn Gengenbach
Goose Hummock Golf Resort
Dennis Gordon
Hector and Angeline Goudreau
Government of Canada
Grace Point Church of God
Devin Gray
Greenland Garden Centre
Keith Guiochet
Geoff Gumpinger
Larry Gusse
Penny Haas
Maureen Haczkewicz
Michael Halliwell
Premier Dave Hancock, QC
Cheryl and William Haskell
Robert Hauptman
Patricia and Colin Hebert
Hemisphere Engineering Inc
Bruce Henderson
Fay Henry
Rob and Cathy Heron
Nick Hertz
Laura Hertz
Joan Hertz-Benkendorf and Barry
Benkendorf
Brian Hesse
Betty Ann Hicks
High Country Millwork
Mark and Ann Marie Hilton
Deborah Hoekstra
Bonnie Hogg
Vincent Holden
Mercida Holstein
Hon. Fred Horne
Cathy Housdorff
John Howard
Dave Hunka
Christine Hunt
Keith Hunt
I. D. McGinnis Agency Ltd
Impact Consulting
Independent Bath
Inside Out Chiropractic Center
Hayden Iversen
J R Paine & Associates Ltd
Ken Jacques
Ike Janacek
Jayman Master Builder
Ron Johnson
Stuart Johnston
Jubilee Auditorium Northern
Alberta - Soc Staff
Jurassic Forest Learning Centre
Trent Kaiser
Al H. and Cecilia Kalke
Gale Katchur
Kate Chegwin School
Kyle Kawanami
Donna Kay
Eric and Marjorie Kearney
Christopher and Christine
Kearney
Jeff Keeble
Sharla Keim
William Kelly
Ben Kennedy
Stephen Khan
Cherisse Killick-Dzenick
Anna Kim
Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP
Kinsmen Club of Leduc
Jim Kiss
Edward Klapstein
Kevin Kleiningor
Hon. Heather Klimchuk
Thomas Klufas
Steven Knaus
James and Susi Knox
Murray and Karey Koch
Lisa Kolybaba
Peggy Konkolus
Gloria Korobko
Walter and Marilee Kosik
Jamie and Brad Kotowich
Maureen Kubinec
Magdalena Kwiatkowski
L Squared Style
Victor Lalonde
Jerome Lamoureux
Gwen and Gordon Lamoureux
Randy Lanport
George and Sandy Latka
Donald and Johanna Law
Tyler Layne-Linton
Shawn Lazaruk
Lea Park Rodeo Association
Darcy LeClaire
Rebekah Lederer
Leduc Truss
John and Helene Leggatt
Shannon Lemiski
Jason Leslie
Lexus of Edmonton
Chong Liang
Peter Lock
Brian Loewen
London Drugs
John Loughran
Dwight Love
Grant and Frieda Lovig
Lyle and Audrey Lueders
Beryl Lukaniuk
Shirley Lunde
Rick Lutz
David Macdonald
Elan MacDonald
Roberta MacGillivray
Bruce and Audrey MacGregor
Dave Mack
Neil MacKay
Dave Majeski
Mammoet Canada Western Ltd
Mariam’s Footsteps Inc.
Dayton Marit
Robert Markowski
Mike Marples
Tom Marriott
Massage Essentials
Raquel Maurier
Phillys McAllister
Sherry McBeth
Al McCann
George McConechy
McCuaig Desrochers LLP
Brad McDonald
Everett McDonald
Cheryl and William McEnery
Derek McEwan
Sheila McGee
Al and Ute McInnes
Elizabeth McLean
Shawn McMillan
Hon. Diana McQueen
Jeff McTavish
Raymond and Bobbi Menard
Gerald Merkosky
James Merkosky
Michael Hill Jewellers
Michael Strembitsky School
Michelle Millard
Roy Mills
Jake Mirun
MMM Group
Stella Moffat
Genyva and Julian Moore
Glenn Mudryk
Ryan Murphy
John Murphy
Mary Murray
Doug Mutton
Annette Mymko
Sharon Myroniuk
N P P Northern Provincial
Pipelines Ltd
Scott Nabozniak
Rienna Nagel
Javaid and Henrietta Naqvi
Lena Nesimiuk
Ron Neuman
Nev’r Dun Acres Ltd
Calvin New
Tianna New
Kim Nguyen
Jonathon Nickerson
NorQuest College
North West Paving Ltd
Northlands Park
Sharla Nuijens
O2 Joe’s Taphouse & Grill
Simon O’Byrne
Sharon Ohayon
Esther Ohayon
Oj’s Halal Meats
Don O’Kurley and Laurette Strong
Micaela Olson-Herd
Jen O’Neill
John and Mary O’Neill
Tonia Onyschuk
Original Joe’s
Margaret and Garth Osbaldeston
Lois Ough
Gordon Oxley
Natalia Pakin
Doris Paradis
Paradisio Pastries
Paroisse St Jean Baptiste Parish
Grant Paterson
Blair Pennock
Bruce Pennock
Pennock Acheson Nielsen Devaney
Perfect Health Chiropractic
Patrick and Carol Perpeluk
Perry Signature Homes
Dan Peskett
Sean Petersen
Antonio Petosa
Rhonda Philp
Dennis and Marlene Philps
Bruce Picton
Jay Pinchuk
Evelyne Pirozzo
Pollock & Pollock
Rocky and Brenda Pon
Jennifer Porritt
Tara Powers
Prairie Mill Bread Co.
Kate Pratt
Samantha Pratt
Brendan Pratt
Jennifer Preeper
Cathy Presniak
Progressive Conservative
Association - Sherwood Park
Greg and Twyla Purschke
Lorette Purschte
Hon. David Quest
Elaine Rajotte
Jaganath Ramarathnam
Rod Randall
David Rankin
Erin Rayner
Ava-Jo Rea
Reeves College
Angela Reid
Dallas Reid
Lori and Joe Reiter
Evelyn Requizo
Kelly Rich
Janet Riopel
Steve and Manilla Ritz
Riverbend Art & Frame
Lisa Roadhouse
Cindy Robertson
Harold Robinson
William Rogers
Rohit Management
Wayne Rose
Rita Roseke
Royal Purple Lodge No 22
Scot Rutherford
Kevin York and Kathleen Ryan
Salisbury Greenhouses Ltd
Salvi Homes Ltd.
SAOL Wellness
Madeline Sarafinchan
Susan Saunders
Save-On-Foods - Namao
Stuart Glenn Sawdey
Jeff Scarlett
Urmela Scarlett
Leonard and Lilly Schellert
Barry Schloss
Angelee Schriever
Max Sconyers
Iain Scott
Shauna Scott
Gwen Seal
Margaret Sebzda
Valarie and Francisco Segura
Claudia Seiler-Mutton
Tina Senyk
Servus Credit Union
Jennifer Seutter
Glenda Sheard
Dan Sheplawy
Joseph Sichkaryk
Silent-Aire Manufacturing Inc.
William Slater
Ken Smith
Margaret Smolcic
Sobey’s Namao
Amarjeet Sohi
Melanie Sorensen
Nancy and Stephen Sorensen
Douglas Sorenson
Rob Spanach
David Sparrow
Spasation
Michael Spotowski
St Michael’s Health Group
Conrad St. Jean
Ed Stahl
Starbucks Northgate
Kamille Stead
John Stearns
John and Sparkle Steeves
Jerry and Theresa Steil
Stella Dot
Stanley and Stephany Stevens
Doug Stewart
James and Janice Stokoe
Todd Storme
Erin Strachan
Sunbake Pita Bakery
Superior Trenching Ltd.
Sureway Construction
Management Ltd
Marlene Svitich
Stewart Swanson
Sweet Momma Spa
Nanda Swereda
Swiss Donair
Deb Szatylo
T & T Foods
Wayne Tattersall
TELUS Communications
Doug and Barb Temple
Terrace Aggregates Ltd.
The Organic Box
Linda Timms
Touch Canada Broadcasting Inc
Trialto Wine Group
Clare Tries
Tina Tsakanikas
Lori Ann Tso
Warren Tso
Gwynne Turner
United Church Women Beverly
United Cycle
United Way Of Burlington &
Greater Hamilton
United Way of Calgary and Area
United Way of Greater Toronto
Arnold and Shirley Urbonas
Wim Van Beek
Stacy Van Cingel
Nolan and Mary Ann Van
Nieuven Huyse
Ms. Roberta Van Wyk
Sue Veenstra
Marvin Verlage
Cindy Verner
Jared Verner
Vets Sheet Metal Ltd.
Ron Victor
Vrika Clothing Sales Ltd
Gord and Patty Waldie
WAM (Re) Development
Management Corp.
Georgia Wardell
Shona Wards
Wawanesa
Guy and May Waymen
Frank and Patricia Webster
Cindy Wedman
Richard Westren
Mary Whetstore
Louise White-Gibbs and Jef Gibbs
Daniel Wildeboer
Dorothy Williams
Ray Williams
Terry Williams
Megan Wilson
Richard and Vivian Wong
Workers Compensation Board
Richard and Donna Wozniak
Lydia Wutzke
Xtreme Print
Greg Yacysyn
Stephen Yakimets
Shane and Gay Yakoweshen
Ryan Yamniuk
Audrey and Len Yarbrough
Vanessa Kuo- Mei Yeung
Joseph Yurkovich
Carolyn Zacharias
Heng Zhang
Raul Zuria
FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER
Aug 7, 2014
Dear Friends:
At Kids Kottage we see troubled and broken hearts of children when their families are battling, not always very successfully,
life’s issues and problems. We empathize with the young children we care for who are sad and worried; whose only hope is
that mom can fix what’s wrong.
Kara comes to mind. I remember that her mother was at her wit’s end looking for a house. She was evicted from her previous
house because she could no longer afford the rent. The day Kara came to stay at the Kottage was her birthday! Kara tried to
understand that there could be no party this year because they had nowhere to live and finding a house was more important
than her birthday. Kara was a brave little girl but she is very young to face such hurt and sadness. We were happy to give her
a small party and a gift. It is not the same as having a party at home, but it showed her that we care that she was sad.
Jenny says her mom “sleeps all the time” and feels alone and sometimes afraid at home. Jenny cannot really understand that
she faces fear and loneliness because her mom’s mental illness has rendered her mom unable to relate with Jenny and care
for her the way her friends’ moms care for them. Jenny loves to come to the Kottage because the caregivers there take special
care to spend time with her. And she doesn’t feel so lonely and afraid when she is at the Kottage.
Leah’s home life is chaotic and unsettled. Her mom would say “I cannot win for losing.” Her own heart aches to know the
pain her daughter endures. When Leah draws a picture of herself and her family, Leah is always the littlest figure in the
picture. She just knows that she is not significant. No one really notices her. Hence, her behaviours – impulsive, loud and
generally unruly – show her longing to be noticed. Leah thrives on the individual attention she receives from care givers at
Kids Kottage.
Benjamin writes a letter at the craft table. “I want my daddy to stop drinking so we can be happy.” One can easily imagine
this young child’s anxious and heavy heart. Our gift to Benjamin is to hear him and to support him in this short time away
to enjoy calm and peace and hope.
Please help us ensure that Kids Kottage can always ‘be here’ for children like Kara, Jenny, Leah and Benjamin to help them
during the trying times their families face. Please give generously to Kids Kottage during this Thanksgiving season.
Yours truly,
Our Earth Angels:
Lori Reiter
Executive Director
P.S.
So many reasons to give
this Thanksgiving.
NEWSLETTER FALL 2014
11
Mark Your Calendar
14037 KK RaffleBanner_print.pdf
1
08/05/2014
10:57 AM
Empire Collision’s
50th Anniversary Gala
August 21, 2014
Kids Kottage Gala
The British Invasion
October 4, 2014
Laugh For Life Gala
October 25, 2014
Radiothon
December 11, 2014
Draw For 2014 Ford Mustang
December 17, 2014
Valentine Event
February 2015 (date to be determined)
NEWSLETTER FALL 2014
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CDN ADDRESSES TO:
10107 - 134 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5E 1J2
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