Greetings!
It's hard to believe that the tree is up, the lights twinkle in the snow, the days have grown long and crisp, and another year draws to a close with the start of the holiday season. It's been an extremely busy and fulfilling year for Child Find Alberta and with your generosity and continued support we were able to meet our mandate head on.
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Green Ribbon of Hope
2009 was a year of many great highlights for Child Find Alberta. During the month of May every year we celebrate the Green Ribbon of Hope.
Since 1994, the Green Ribbon has been the symbol of Hope for Child Find and this year on May 4 every member of the Alberta Legislature wore a green ribbon to support and bring awareness to issues of missing, abducted and exploited children. We were humbled and honored to have been recognized by the Honorable Janis Tarchuk, Minister of Children and Youth Services in the legislature for our work to protect the children of Alberta.
Earlier this year, eight year old Victoria Stafford was abducted from her school in Woodstock, Ontario. After months of searching, sadly Tori's remains were found in a remote field in Ontario. Throughout this painful ordeal we grieved with the Stafford family, and supported them through their most difficult and darkest days. Tori's father Rodney did not want his daughter to die in vain, and cycled from Woodstock Ontario to Edmonton Alberta, arriving at West Edmonton Mall on September 19, 2009. Kilometers for Kids was a father's personal journey in his daughter's memory and to raise awareness of missing and exploited children. Child Find Alberta was extremely grateful to be a part of this event, and to support the Stafford family on this journey. By raising awareness and sharing this story, Child Find Alberta and the Stafford family strive to stop preventable tragedies such as Tori's.
Happy Holidays
As 2009 draws to a successful close, we want to take this opportunity to share with you and your family our Child Find family highlights, and to thank you for your tremendous support. Your commitment to our organization and the work we endeavor to do every day allows us to strive to keep 'Every Child Safe from Harm'. The financial support offered, whether great or small, allows us to continue to offer our programs and services free of charge to every Albertan.
So from our family to yours; we wish you a season of health, of happiness, and above all security. May you enjoy all the wonders of this great time of year and the joy it brings to all children, big or small.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year;
Brad Bostock
Executive Director
Child Find Alberta |
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Stay Safe this Holiday Season ~ Tips for Safeguarding our Children
If your child accompanies you to the mall, the Missing Children's Network and Child Find Alberta remind parents to reinforce the following safety rules during this hectic season:
-Upon arriving at the mall, identify with your child all the people and places where
he/she can seek help if needed.
-Remind your child that he/she must stay within sight at all times.
-Make a plan in case you become separated. Have older kids meet you at a pre-designated spot or teach younger children to look for people who can help them within the mall, such as a uniformed security officer or a salesperson with a nametag.
-Tell your child to NEVER leave the mall/store.
-Always make sure to carry proper identification of your child, such as a recent photo of your child; it will prove to be a valuable tool in the event that you are separated.
-Always accompany younger children to any public restroom.
-Never leave your children alone in a public place such as a toy store, video arcade, movie theatre or playground, expecting store personnel to supervise them. This is not their role and they are not trained in this area.
-If an older person tries to take them out of the mall/store, teach your child to yell "NO, you are not my Mom or you are not my Dad!" Explain to the child that other people can not always tell who their parents are and who is not.
-Respect your child if he /she shows any distress or discomfort sitting on Santa's lap, keep in mind that your child is learning to trust his instincts by listening to his /her internal alarm.This may prove invaluable in the event that your child is ever approached
by an individual with questionable intentions. There is always next year!
What Can You Do if You See a Child Who Appears Lost?
A missing child is everyone's responsibility. The Missing Children's Network & Child Find Alberta encourages the public to always be alert and report any suspicious situations to the proper authorities. In our personal safety workshops, we teach children to approach resource people who can provide them assistance in the event that they are lost. These individuals are identified as a uniformed law enforcement or security officer, a store clerk wearing a nametag, an information booth employee or a mother with children.
If you ever spot a child who appears lost,
we encourage you to:
-Not be afraid and get involved.
-Comfort the child but exercise caution and restraint in physically touching the child.
-Ask if he/she are lost and needs help.
-Keep the child within eyesight, enlist the help of passers-by in order to request the assistance of a store clerk employee - most stores have established standard operating procedures in the event children are separated from their parents.
-Do not remove the child from the immediate location and never drive away with the child in order to seek help.
-Wait with the child until the proper help arrives.
The Missing Children's Network & Child Find Alberta wish you a safe, healthy and happy Holiday Season!
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Winter Tips for your Kids
( -27 ) Risk of frostbite in prolonged
exposures.
( -35 ) Frostbite possible in 10-15 minutes.
( -40 ) Wind chill warning will be issued
Frostbite possible in less than 10 minutes.
( -45 ) Be ready to cut short or cancel outdoor
activities. Frostbite possible in minutes.
( -60 ) DANGER! Frostbite possible in under
2 minutes.
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