The South Eastman Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser supporting D.A.R.E. took place yesterday at MHV.
It’s been a couple of years since they’ve been able to come together to support the D.A.R.E. program.
Krista Friesen from South Eastman Rotary Club says they were very excited to be able to have an in-person event again.
“We're just super excited to have lunch with our sponsors, supporters, and with the school division and the RCMP.”
She says the Rotary Club is passionate about sponsoring this program, supporting the community, and collaborating together with establishments such as the RCMP and HSD.
“It's about investing into our youth and into our community, and we believe in the program. We believe that it makes a difference."
Staff Sergeant for Steinbach RCMP, Harold Laninga, says the D.A.R.E. program is important to him because it helps the RCMP form relationships with students and get involved in the community.
"Our D.A.R.E. officers are often the best-known police officers in the community, and the relationships that they have with the students I hope will foster feelings of trust with the police."
He says the D.A.R.E. program is well-known for teaching kids about the dangers of substance abuse, but it also educates the students on how to deal with bullying.
“Strategies for dealing with bullying, building some resilience into the kids, and I think in the days we live in right now that's incredibly important.”
If you would like to support the South Eastman Rotary Club, you can send an e-transfer to rotaryse@gmail.com.