Safe Families Canada - Steinbach is hosting their annual Dino Run Fundraiser this weekend and it’s always a fun event to attend while helping a great organization!
Sue Doerksen, Chapter Director in Steinbach says Safe Families is an organization that tries to get involved with families who may be in crisis and don’t have help elsewhere.
“Whether they've just moved here or whether their family relationships are broken down or whatever the case is that you may not have your family and friends nearby when a crisis hits, and your kids need somewhere to go. So that's how Safe Families got started and that's how we continue.”
She says they are there to support families and work to help them out of the crisis.
“Maybe there's ways depending on what the crisis is, because there's a whole realm of crisis. But depending on what that is, there may be a way that we can help support them in that, help them out of it. And there may just be a way where just taking their children and loving on them during that time is the help they need most.”
Doerksen shares that they help the whole system and try to bridge the gap.
“We act as a preventative measure for the foster care system, not against them, but together with them when it's not a situation where they can step in, it's somewhere where we can maybe help support them before the need for that comes in and so we work in partnership with CFS.”
Dino Dash is part of their national fundraiser and Doerksen explains what people can expect.
“This is the piece that we do here in Steinbach. It's our big annual thing that we do at the end of our fiscal year and it's just a great family event, it's free admission. We've got bouncy castles, rock wall climbing, a petting zoo this year, that's a new thing this year that we didn't have last year, just a really, really great time.”
She continues, “And then of course, the Dino Dash race, which is amazing. We have a fundraising BBQ and canteen there as well. We're also featuring Stone City Coffee, so that's a lot of fun for people like me. And it's just a fantastic time. We want you to bring out your family. Your friends come cheer on these Dinos, these businesses, Churches, and individuals have sponsored, and they're going to run for you and it's going to be amazing. I should also mention we also have free door prizes.”
Join Safe Families Canada this Saturday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the AD Penner Park for the open event!
“We have something for all ages. The rock wall was a huge hit last year,” Doerksen concludes.
-With files from Michelle Sawatzky