Givers get creative as charities face higher need
There was a five-year-old boy at Kids Kottage who was used to living on a bag of potato chips every day.
Told he would receive snacks between meals at the charity home, and one before bedtime, his eyes widened.
“Do you mean I will get more to eat than once a day?” he said incredulously.
Welcome to the world of
Janine Fraser, executive director of Kids Kottage, the 24-hour, 12-bed shelter for families facing a crisis.
“The situation for many families in Edmonton was previously dire,” she says. “Now it's double-dire. And children are the hidden victims.
“With ever-increasing COVID-19 numbers, we are seeing more families overwhelmed with worry, grief, job loss, extreme poverty, homelessness and mental and physical health issues.
“Sadly, the fear of spousal abuse and contacting COVID are keeping some mothers away.”
While the children at the shelter make friends, playing games and eating nutritious meals, parents develop a support network of counsellors who will help break the cycle causing their problems.
Statistics last year show 80 per cent of children who stayed at the Kottage at 10107 134 Ave. had witnessed family violence, 15 per cent experienced physical abuse, 22 per cent experienced mental abuse and nearly six per cent experienced sexual abuse.
“Most of our clients are single parents (76 per cent) and more than half are Indigenous (54 per cent),” says Fraser.
“They lack the supports many of us take for granted and have no one to turn to.”
It costs Kids Kottage $1.3 million annually to operate and the shelter relies on the community to raise more than half that amount.
A radio program helping raise Kids Kottage funds is accepting donations at kidskottage.org/ radiothon2020.
DIFFERENT CARD GAME
A pandemic couldn't stop Elexis Schloss and Diane Kyle-buchanan from getting together with friends for the fifth straight year to help the Women's Emergency Accommodation Centre.
“The women often arrive homeless at the centre with no possessions, income or a supportive relationship and we vowed to help them again this Christmas,” says Schloss, a visionary and volunteer in support of many causes.
“These women could be suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness or were recently discharged from a hospital with nowhere to go. Or they could be escaping prostitution.”
Kyle-buchanan, owner of the Union Bank Inn and a fellow philanthropist, said “the women staying at the centre have only the clothes on their back, are often terrified and frequently have been physically or mentally abused.
“This centre is a safe place where they can stay and learn of the services that will help them cope.”
The duo came up with the idea last week of helping the homeless by getting their friends to come by the Schloss' home — and play cards.
“It wasn't the usual card games we had in mind,” said Schloss.
“We were talking gift cards with warm messages signed with a first name only. We wanted the women to know someone cares about them.”
The party became a drive-by and drop-off affair.
“We were surprised and elated when in a two-hour period about 50 cars drove up with cards and messages,” said Schloss.
“We were even more surprised when people just walking by found out what we were doing and wanted to contribute cash.”
More than $9,000 in gift cards was raised.
CRUCIAL SUPPORT
Friends have stepped up to help CASA after the charity lost $1 million when COVID-19 fundraising events were cancelled.
“CASA helps families in which a child experiences a mental health issue,” said custom clothier Sam Abouhassan.
That's been exacerbated by the pandemic. “There's was no question the stress of often being confined and not being able to play and laugh with friends would lead to a recent greater demand for help.”
By the end of 2020, some 3,500 families will have sought support from CASA professionals, he said. “I believe if we can we must all help our community in this extraordinary time.”
Abouhassan, who with buddy Kevin Lowe raised more than $7 million for Stollery Children's Hospital with their Tee Up for Tots golf tournaments, is donating a made-to-measure shirt valued at $400 to the online CASA auction.
A weekend family ski trip for four, with two day ski passes, is being offered by the Jasper Inn's Shawnee Janes-wilson. That's valued at $1,065.
Chad Stewart at Concrete Blonde is offering a spa package with a haircut, valued at $295, while Vines wine store's Steve Richmond has donated a whiskey flight virtual tasting. Value: $480.
The auction is at shopformentalwellness.org.
NO CHRISTMAS BELL
Sighting COVID-19 safety precautions, the Salvation Army will no longer have volunteers at its Christmas Kettle locations in Edmonton this year.
“Only where permitted and outfitted with an electronic donation options will kettles remain in locations after Saturday, Dec. 12,” said Maj. Al Hoeft, divisional secretary for public relations.
“We have been serving Albertans since 1887 and to potentially lose kettle donations will greatly impact the programs and services we provide, not just at Christmas, but all year. Kettle donations stay local to fund programs such as food bank services, hot meals, Christmas food, toy hampers, job search programs, counselling, ESL classes and back-to-school supplies.”
Contributions can also be made by phone at 1-800- SAL-ARMY; online at Fillthekettle.com or by mail to The Salvation Army, 200-5615 101 Ave. Edmonton, AB T6A 3Z7.