Yeehaw! Are You Ready for the DDRC Stampede Breakfast?

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Yeehaw! Are You Ready for the DDRC

Stampede Breakfast?

The DDRC is calling all cowboys and cowgirls to work up an appetite for this year's Stampede Breakfast, which will take place on Thursday, July 12 from 8:00 am - 11:00 am in the DDRC parking lot at 4646 Sarcee Road SW. Last year the DDRC's Stampede Breakfast served over 1,000 breakfasts, so you really do not want to miss out on the delicious and fun filled festivities! Nothing tastes better than Stampede sausages, coffee and juice!

Volunteers preparing pancakes at last year's breakfast.

Not only will your taste buds be line dancing over the excitement, your ears will be delighted by the entertainment too! Our live band Back Road Traveller will have you jumping off your haystack and stomping your boots to some rock'n country tunes. And there are rumors that we may have a pony in attendance this year!

Feeling lucky? If you give us your e-mail address at the breakfast, your name will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a neighbourhood raffle basket including multiple items donated from businesses throughout the community.

So throw on your best western wear and join DDRC staff, clients, and neighborhood friends for this annual celebration! Bring a car load (or two) because extra parking will be available at Mount Royal University.

If your business would like to donate to our neighbourhood raffle basket, or if you are interested in volunteering at this year's Stampede Breakfast, please contact Crystal MacMillan at crystal.macmillan@ddrc.ca.

Introducing the Everyone Belongs

Toastmasters Chapter

It's official! The DDRC Everyone Belongs Toastmasters Club is now a registered member of Toastmasters International!

It has been over a year since DDRC client and Toastmasters club member, Marilyn Wilson, got the idea to start the DDRC Toastmasters Club at the main office, and the group keeps gaining momentum.

Last Thursday, the club celebrated its official status as the newest chapter of Toastmasters' District 42 with a Charter Party, and of course, lots of speeches.

Toastmasters International members, Keith Lee and Lori Leduc, and Everyone Belongs Chapter mentor Bob Gibennus were present to welcome DDRC Toastmasters into

Unrolling the new chapter banner.

an international community of leaders and public speakers.

Before handing out the charter membership certificates to the excited group, Lee commended the Everyone Belongs Toastmaster Chapter for their achievements to date: "There is so much fun, humour and life that goes into this club in particular," and in this way the group "exemplifies the heart of Toastmasters."

Lee went on to speak of the great rewards of membership in Toastmasters, including the benefits to self esteem, the opportunity to make new friends and grow strong as individuals. These are positive affects that the group have already noticed in their experience together.

To conclude the ceremony, Lee and Gibennus presented the Everyone Belongs Toastmasters Chapter with an official Toastmasters banner for display in the group's meeting place. The banner was a generous gift from the District 42 Executive.

The group then settled down to enjoy a delicious pot luck prepared by the club members, their families and friends. Witnessing the Chapter Party, it was clear that the DDRC Toastmasters are very proud of their club, and that they have much to be proud of!

Green Thumbs Lend a Helping Hand at the

IKEA Tree-planting Event

On May 15, DDRC client, Bryan Gosselin joined 15 other IKEA staff volunteers at IKEA's annual Plant a Tree event. Together, the volunteers planted around 200 trees, enjoyed some fresh air and got some good exercise!

Gosselin busy planting trees.

Bryan volunteered for 2 hours at the event hosted by IKEA and Tree Canada. This is the 16th year of IKEA's partnership with Tree Canada and it has lead to the planting of over 16,000 trees!

Angela Hagel, Bryan's Community Resource Worker (CRW) says that Bryan signed up to volunteer on his own because "he is naturally helpful and volunteering makes him feel good."

Bryan has been working at IKEA since 2005, washing dishes in the IKEA restaurant. IKEA has been an excellent employer since Bryan started there, Hagel explains, "Bryan is a valued employee with tons of friends."

It is a positive experience for DDRC staff and clients alike to work with such an inclusive employer. Hagel also volunteered at the event, and found it "a very positive experience, with great teamwork!"

A Big Thanks to this Year's Vipond Sponsors!

2012 Vipond Sponsors