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Recreation Opportunities for Children (ROC) Eastman has released a new set of donation requests for families in the region.
Steph McLean, a development coordinator and family recreation practitioner with the organization, says there may be some items that are harder to understand than others.
"Our donation request list is a bit unique because sometimes people will look at it and be like, 'What on earth does that have to do with recreation,’ or, ‘How is that a barrier (to recreation)?'" she says.
The list is generated through connections staff have with families over the course of a month and discussing what keeps them from participating in some activities.
For example, not having a wagon.
"We could have a family where the oldest sibling is registered for soccer... it's a walkable distance, so we know there's no barriers to registering the kiddo. But mom has more kiddos than she has hands," McLean explains.
"So, in order for that mom to be able to get her oldest kiddo to soccer, we need some sort of way to break the barrier of transportation for her to be able to walk there with her whole family."
There could also be some families that have never had the chance to expose their kids to various recreational activities, or who don't have the ability to travel to them.
ROC Eastman works to bring activities to those families, McLean says.
"It's as little as (providing) some families with life jackets and sunscreen so that they can go to the beach in their community," she says, or providing the family a baking kit, or sewing machine.
"It's supporting these parents (to help) them be able to offer the opportunity to their kids," she says, adding it makes the family dynamic healthy.
She says it's rewarding to play a part in helping parents support their kids, and form relationships with their young ones through recreation of all kinds.
McLean invites others to be a part of that by making a donation to ROC Eastman from their request list.
Those who have one of these items in gently used condition are asked to contact the organization by email at info@roceastman.ca, or by text at 204-371-2887.
Written with files from Carly Koop