The Rotary Club of South Eastman hosted their annual fundraiser luncheon for the D.A.R.E. program on November 13 at the Mennonite Heritage Village.
Kris Ontong, member of the Rotary Club and Emcee for the event, says D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
“It's something that's implemented across middle level schools and it teaches our youth to make the right choices at their age right now and avoid being lured by drugs and just focus on the positive aspects of school life while they're at that particular stage in life.”
He says the luncheon also brought attention to the Ripple Effect Program which helps build classrooms in Guatemala.
Ontong explains that a keynote speaker, Luke Tanner, shared about overcoming fears to be able to achieve success.
“That is something that is definitely significant for our youth because of peer pressure, that's how they typically fall into making the wrong choices. But they have to dare to overcome that fear of being rejected by their peers and dare to make the right choices and have a positive road in life.”
Merrilee Plett, Principal of Clearspring Middle School attended the luncheon and says it is an important day because the school values the D.A.R.E. program.
She brought three CMS students who were in the D.A.R.E. program to present their essays about what they learned, what was important, and the value of the program.
Plett says the program is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet with RCMP and build a sense of understanding that the RCMP are our partners in the community.
“But also get real insights from him and the program on how stress works in their lives, how to make good decisions, how to think through their decision-making process, and then some of the pitfalls that they might experience as they're getting older. Some of the pressures they might experience and ways to think about it ahead of time so they know what to do and what they will want to do. And our students have always expressed great appreciation for the time that Constable Redikop has spent with them.”
Jo Anne Dalton with the Rotary Club of South Eastman explains that they try to bring a message to the event that resonates with everyone in the community, especially the students and young people.
“It gives a message of hope that you can overcome those challenges because that is what D.A.R.E. is all about, is overcoming resilience, being resilient, overcoming peer pressure, finding a healthier path into something that gives you purpose and success.”
She says the luncheon provided opportunities to speak with the community and ask organizations and individuals who care about the future of our youth, the school division, and building relationships with RCMP to donate.
“Each classroom runs about $300.00 and those costs go directly towards the materials needed for the D.A.R.E. program in the schools and then we recognize them. We tell them a little bit about the program here at our luncheon along with all the other programs that Rotary offers.”
For those who were unable to attend the event but want to learn more about the D.A.R.E. program, the Ripple Effect Program, the Rotary Club or want to donate, visit the Rotary Club’s website, southeastmanrotary.ca.
With files from Dave Anthony