Therapeutic horseback riding provides children and adults with numerous benefits including improving balance and coordination, increased confidence, and the excitement of movement “free of any mechanical aids.” Participants also get a chance to bond with the horses, make friends and have fun while receiving therapy.

But therapy here is more than just riding the horses. Children also play various games such as bowling from the backs of the horses. Children learn things like their numbers and colours while strengthening their motor skills.

The program runs in four sessions throughout the year and currently serves 160 riders. The classes are so popular that there is a waiting list. PRDA subsidizes 75% of the costs of the lessons and offers a variety of programs.

The Pegasus Program is directed towards young children who have been abused and the therapy helps the children learn to feel in control again, to trust again, and to laugh again. Adults with mental disabilities can join the Phonix Program to practice riding in a safe and welcoming environment. Other programs include vaulting, the Spirit program for young riders and the Sport Rider program for experienced youth and adults.

How You Can Help:

Equipment Donations: PRDA can always use things like feed, bedding, fence boards or crusher dust and their big dream is to find a newer tractor and a gator.

Financial Donations: Because PRDA does not receive any government funding they rely on the generosity of individuals and corporations. If you are interested in helping financially you can sponsor a horse or a rider or set up a monthly contribution.

Volunteer: Running the program takes over 130 volunteers each week to assist the riders. Other volunteers help out with things like maintenance and special events. If you would like to volunteer they ask for a minimum time commitment of 2 hours a week per 12 week session. There are a variety of time slots available. Volunteers are provided with a 3 hour training session where they learn the proper techniques for working with the horses and the kids. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at 604-530-8717 or visit their website to find out more.

Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities
www.prda.ca 
1088 – 208th Street, Langley
Ring: 604.530.8717 

Many families  and individuals don’t even have a choice – money is so tight they can’t buy boots for their kids, can’t afford a car, and just pray they even have a few dollars to feed and clothe their family or themselves. 

Clothes on Wheels – making change

Clothes on Wheels is a local, non-profit organization providing free clothing for families and individuals living in the Lower Mainland. Sanja and her husband Marc left their corporate jobs, used most of their savings, and along with over 91 volunteers and community members, established Clothes on Wheels to work towards eradicating poverty in children, adults and families in the Lower Mainland.

Partnering with the community

There are 66 elementary schools working in partnership with Clothes on Wheels to organize events, 25 of which are inner city schools. Their event model is really quite unique. Flyers are distributed to every student, inviting families in need to attend. Racks of clothing, organized by size and gender, are delivered and set-up in the school gym so families can ‘shop’ and find what they need. Clothes on Wheels also operates from a transport trailer, providing easy access to community members right outside their door.

More than clothes

But Clothes on Wheels is doing more than just giving free clothes and items – they get to know each individual and family in need and create a plan so they won’t need to visit Clothes on Wheels anymore. That ranges from helping people find a job, learn to speak English or learn a new skill – whatever it takes to get them out of poverty.

Sanja and Marc are an amazing couple doing life-changing work, putting in more time, money, and passion than most are ever willing. But you can help too! See below for ways to contribute to Clothes on Wheels and help lower poverty in your community.

How you can help

Give clothing: Clothing donation needs include: school clothes, coats and other cold-weather accessories, professional clothing for employment interviews, and shoes, which wear out quickly and must be replaced often, especially among growing children. Donations can be dropped oat 14781 104th Avenue, Surrey (Hjorth Road Elementary School Office) from 9:00 am to 3:00pm Monday-Friday (closed on school holidays). Please ensure the items are in a sealed plastic bag.

Become a volunteer: Become a volunteer with Clothes on Wheels and help create positive change in your community by providing your skills, expertise, energy and time. Clothes on Wheels welcome any men, women and teenagers to contribute to the growth and success of the organization.

Financial donation: Your donation would go towards the purchase of new clothing such as new undergarments, shoes, and boots and will contribute to the operations of the organization to keep it running.

Visit http://www.clothesonwheels.org to learn more and decide how you can help.

Contributed by guest author Kristy Hill of TwellMedia. 

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 a handful of local celebrity and media types (including me!) will be peddling pebbles – yes, pebbles – from Crescent Beach to White Rock beach. The event is called Pebble Pedal to the Pier and it is in support of Seniors’ and Volunteer Programs for Sources Community Resources Society.

Serving the White Rock community, Sources answers 30,000 calls for help each year. Volunteers drive for seniors, answer calls for information and work with families in distress. The food bank, treatment facilities, group homes and family and individual counselling services are among the many programs provided by Sources Community Resource Centres.

I would really appreciate your support in sponsoring pebbles for this amazing event! Please go to www.sourcesbc.ca (scroll down home page) to sponsor one pebble for $20, a family of pebbles for $60 or a handful of pebbles for $100. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation and a certificate acknowledging your support as a Pebble Sponsor.

We would also love it if you would join us at 5PM at White Rock Pier on September 27th, as us riders arrive from our journey from Crescent Beach. There will be entertainment, cake and our welcome ceremony! Your support and cheers would be very much appreciated!

Sources Community Resources Centre does fantastic work and I’m excited to be involved in this fundraising event!

www.SourcesBC.ca

Imagine this scary scenario. Being lost in the wilderness is a terrifying occurrence for anyone and it happens to everyday folk more often than you think. Even if you do have a phone to communicate, you may very well not know where you are to ask someone to help you out.

Thank goodness for teams such as Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue. This is just one type of call their organization would respond to. They respond to calls from law enforcement to help rescue individuals in both the wilderness and in urban rescue scenarios. They assist with lost hikers, missing persons and many other situations where someone needs to be found and rescued.

This team of professionals is made up of approximately 30 volunteers. They recruit every two years, sometimes sooner, so stay tuned to their home page if this is an organization you would like to be involved with. The requirements for their volunteer positions can be found here.

There are several search and rescue groups throughout the Fraser Valley, including Surrey Search and Rescue, Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue, Chilliwack Search and Rescue. We are lucky to have such dedicated local volunteers in these organizations!

Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue
www.rmsar.bc.ca
Ring: 604.463.4891 

For Sam and Torie Rehman, all seemed well when they welcomed their son, Bennett, into the world five years ago. But they quickly noticed that his left hand was constantly clenched—and when they tried to open it, there was quite a bit of resistance. After a CT scan at BC Children’s Hospital, Bennett was diagnosed with Polymicrogyria (PMG), a neurological disorder similar to Cerebral Palsy. “It’s tough,” says Sam. “You cry when you first find out—when that bubble bursts, and you realize your son or daughter isn’t going to be the same as other kids.”

While the Rehmans found short term support during their visits to Children’s, what they needed was support for the long term. “It was terrifying coming home with a highly technical diagnosis and not knowing what to do with it. You’re told what your son has, but what are the next steps? As parents, we want to do whatever we can for our kids as soon as possible.” Thankfully, their doctor knew about, and referred them to a Child Development Centre.

Established in 1953, the Centre for Child Development serves about 2,000 children aged 0-19 from across Surrey, Langley, Delta and White Rock each year. Many of these children have familiar disabilities, like Cerebral Palsy, Autism and Spina Bifida. Others, like Bennett, have lesser-known disorders. But all of them require complex rehabilitative care that can last for years.

The Centre offers a variety of services, including a casting and splinting clinic, communication therapy, physiotherapy, and family support services to name a few. In addition to coming to the Rehman home to help their son manage the things most of us take for granted—like going up and down the stairs—one of Bennett’s current workers helps at his pre-school. “It’s like having another set of eyes and ears, giving him the attention that we’d like to give him, but can’t because we’re not there,” Sam says. “She helps us figure out how we can adapt Bennett’s learning at school (working with teachers) as well as at home, so he can do more of the things the other kids are doing at school. It’s been a huge blessing for Bennett, as well as for us.”

In fact, Sam believes so strongly in the support the Centre offers to children and their families, that he recently joined the fundraising efforts for the Centre as Vice President for Individual and Strategic Giving of The Child Development Foundation, the Centre’s fundraising arm. “I have a deep passion and belief for this worthy cause,” he says. “Some children have to wait two years for service. We want to see waitlists dramatically shorten especially since early intervention is critical and there are so many kids that need help now.”

There are lots of ways that people can help these children get the support they need, including financially, or by volunteering. “If we can keep costs down,” says Sam, “we can serve more kids—and their families.”

For more information on how you can help children with special needs reach their full potential, visit The Centre for Child Development’s website at http://www.centreforchilddevelopment.ca, www.cdfbc.ca or sam at sam@cdfbc.ca.

Founder and Artistic Director Freddy Latham started the program after she searched—but couldn’t find—for an artistic outlet for her then-nine-year-old daughter. So, she rented a space and put an article in the local paper, and Abbotsford Children’s Theatre was born.

In the beginning, Latham directed and produced all of the plays, with occasional help from a parent or friend. But the program has grown in size, and in the complexity of productions, so now ACT has a resident director, Leslie Kemp, as well as an assistant, Miranda Martin. Still, Latham directs occasionally: in the upcoming season, she’ll direct Snow White. “I’m looking forward to being in the director’s chair again,” she says.

Of all the things different aspects of the theatre experience, Latham most enjoys interacting with young actors—many of whom, when they start, have no idea how much work is involved. Not only must they learn lines, but also blocking (where to stand), character development, and the art of interacting with others on stage. “It’s rewarding to see their growth as they learn these steps,” she says.

Being part of ACT benefits young actors in many areas: they connect with others who are interested in acting, make new friends, and learn valuable life skills—like focus, concentration and team work. “Theatre is about discipline and commitment to the role and to the group process,” says Latham. “The skills learned in acting help actors in their life roles—both in their occupations and eventually, as parents.”

A registered charity, ACT relies on support from within the community. From businesses that sell tickets, to the parents and local newspapers that help promote the shows, the Abbotsford community has, says Latham, been very supportive.

To fulfill the organization’s mandate to offer theatre experiences for young audiences, each season ACT devotes four performances exclusively to school-aged children.  “As an educator, I believe in supporting kids in whatever capacity I can,” says Latham, who taught drama in the Abbotsford School District for 15 years. “I believe in the principle of paying it forward, so we’re doing our part to keep the arts alive.

“I believe there’s an artist within all of us,” she continues, “whether it is visual or performing arts. The arts give freedom of expression, teach us about ourselves and often help us make sense of a complicated world.”

Is your child interested in acting? Auditions will be held June 7 for the 2011-12 season, featuring two shows: Best Christmas Pageant Ever in December, and Snow White in April. For more information, or to set up an audition, please email acttheatre@hotmail.com or visit Abbotsford Children’s Theatre’s website at www.abbotsfordchildrenstheatre.org.

But in a South Abbotsford plant, a group of volunteers is hard at work, turning that waste into a nutritious food supplement that has made its way to needy recipients in over 40 countries worldwide.

A faith-based organization, the Fraser Valley Gleaners was established on the principle of gleaning—gathering grain or other produce left by reapers. “There’s a great deal of food that can be salvaged,” says Plant Manager Carl Goosen, “and there are people in need. So we’re doing what we can to help meet that need.”

Goosen, a former dairy farmer, joined the organization after a visit to the Okanagan Gleaners, where he learned of plans for the Abbotsford operation; he’s been serving for 11 years now.

In their first year, Goosen’s team of drop-in volunteers produced a million meals; now the plant generates 10 million meals each year. “We’ve gone from an average of 20 volunteers per day to about 45 to 50,” he says. “Our oldest is 92; he comes in five days a week.”

Most of the volunteers are retired, and some—like Jack Weyh—come from south of the border. Weyh, who also serves on the Gleaners’ Board, brings helpers across the border from Lynden, WA, two days a week. “We work with volunteers and generous donors who give food to people who really need it,” he says. “I can’t think of anything more worthwhile.”

It’s a sentiment shared by the volunteers who help process donated vegetables from local growers: tomatoes from Delta, peppers from Abbotsford and onions—60,000 pounds a year—from Walla Walla, WA. “When those Spanish onions come in,” Goosen laughs, “we’ll be crying for about six weeks!”

Over the summers, the organization welcomes youth groups and vacationers. The property boasts a campsite that guests can use as a base during their stay; the only requirement is that they volunteer mornings in the plant. In addition, the Gleaners host countless school field trips each year. “Trips here give the younger generation a chance to see what’s happening right in their community,” Goosen says.

On this morning, a community of 38 volunteers will process about 2,000 pounds of onions from a shipment picked up from a local wholesaler earlier in the week. In addition to vegetables, donations of dried legumes come in from as far away as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Fresh product arrives from May to November, when volunteers clean, dice, dry and store the vegetables in large bins. From December to April, volunteers package the soup mix—which includes about 10 different vegetables, as well as legumes—into 1.5-kilogram bags, ready for export. Each bag makes about 100 cups of soup. “We work with organizations that have people on the ground for distribution,” Goosen says. “These could be as small as a school group taking a trip to Guatemala, for example—or a large organizations like Food for the Hungry.”

This week alone, the Gleaners filled three shipping containers bound for Paraguay, South Africa and Romania. “There are about 30 organizations we work with each year,” Goosen says. “We donate the food, and they look after the distribution. All we ask is that they communicate back to us—with pictures or stories—so we can show our volunteers how their effort is making a difference.”

As he preps trays of onions for the dryer, Weyh smiles. “We can’t solve the world’s problems,” he says, “but we can help.”

For more information on the Fraser Valley Gleaners, visit their website or email info@fvgleaners.org.

For many reasons pets end up homeless, stray or abandoned. Amazing organizations such as this month’s featured charity, C.A.R.E.S. Cat Shelter (Canadian Animal Rescue & Extended Shelter), take these animals into their shelters, care for them and ensure they are found new forever homes.

C.A.R.E.S was founded in 1993. They provide a caring, clean living arrangement for homeless cats. Sick cats receive medical treatments and their no-kill policy ensures all of the animals who end up in their care are either adopted to loving families or they live out the rest of their natural lives at the shelter. At any one time they will see 100-120 cats at the shelter and 30-60 in foster homes. Many of the cats available for adoption can be found at the adoption centre inside PetSmart in Langley. In the past decade, C.A.R.E.S. has adopted out over 5000 fluffy felines from that location alone!

We love the shelter tour on the C.A.R.E.S. website. One can see that the animals live in a clean, loving environment designed just for them. They have large and small runs, a geriatric ward, even a quarantine trailer for sick kitties.

These types of shelters are run by volunteers with a passionate heart for animals, but that alone is not enough for them to survive. An independent non-profit society, C.A.R.E.S. relies on donations from individuals and companies to help keep them in operation. Tax-deductible donations can be made online, here. Volunteers are the backbone to this organization and they are also required for shelter cleaning, medical treatments, event planning, fundraisers, marketing, foster families and groomers. Please contact C.A.R.E.S. directly if you are able to lend a hand.

The love of a pet is like nothing else. If you are considering adopting a cat, please contact C.A.R.E.S. to see what special furry friends are waiting for a loving home. Read through some of their rescue stories and happy ‘tails’ to hear of some heartwarming stories that have resulted from their volunteer’s great care and sincere dedication to these sweet animals.

C.A.R.E.S. Cat Shelter
www.carescatshelter.com
Ring: 604.532.5632

“The majority of us climb into bed at night and take it for granted,” says Nancy Gallagher, who heads up the Abbotsford Chapter of Blankets for Canada. “The thanks, the hugs and the connections we make let us know the difference these simple gifts make in peoples’ lives.”

Gallagher’s involvement in the charity was, as she calls it, “a happy accident.” She and a friend, Carol Timoffee, heard that Michael’s in Abbotsford collected knitted and crocheted squares that were made into blankets for charity. As it turned out there were 16 boxes of squares waiting at the Michael’s store—and the manager had idea who to contact. Gallagher, who now also serves at Vice President on the Board of Trustees, and Timoffee tracked down Blankets for Canada founder, Nancy Panting. “Carol could crochet, and I could knit,” says Gallagher. “We figured, ‘why not?’ ”

That was 2007. Four years later, Blankets for Canada’s Abbotsford Chapter meets monthly from October through May in donated classroom space at that same Michael’s store. The Chapter has about 15 regular members—although last month 30 people showed up to lay out and stitch together dozens of eight-inch squares into blankets.

Established in 1998 in Lethbridge, Alta, Blankets for Canada is the brainchild of Panting who, along with her husband, enjoyed crochet and wanted to use their scrap yarn to help others less fortunate than themselves. “Many Canadians support organizations that help those in other countries,” she says, “but Blankets for Canada brings an awareness of what’s going on here at home.”

In that first year, 200 blankets were made and distributed; by 2009, that number increased to over 8,000. Of those, the Abbotsford Chapter contributes about 700 blankets each year—350 of which are made by the volunteers, with the remainder donated by another local charity, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

A non-denominational, non-profit organization, Blankets for Canada is run completely by volunteers.  “A lot of love goes into each blanket,” says Panting. “It’s awesome to see what’s done each year.” Over its 11-year history, the charity has become a coast-to-coast organization, serving communities from Nanaimo to Halifax. Each finished blanket—labeled Compliments of Blankets for Canada. NOT FOR SALE—is used in the community in which it’s made.

Blankets from the Abbotsford Chapter go to organizations such as the Fraser Valley Women’s Resource Centre’s Warm Zone, Cyrus Centre, a youth and teen resource centre and Abbotsford Community Centre’s Best for Babies program for at-risk moms and babies. “We like to help the groups that may not receive support from anyone else,” Gallagher says.

Sometimes that support is a little more direct.

On a recent Saturday, Gallagher stopped to pick up a few groceries. In her trunk were a number of blankets from MCC that were to be handed out the next day. As she loaded her bags, a homeless man approached her and politely asked if she could spare some cash. She explained she’d used her debit card for her purchase, and he noticed the blankets in the trunk. “Are those blankets?” he asked. Yes, she replied, and asked whether he could use one. “Oh yes, ma’am,” he said, “I surely could.”

She gave him a blanket, and finished loading her groceries. A moment later, the man came back. “Ma’am, my buddy is around the corner,” he said. “Is there any way he could have a blanket, too?” Gallagher gave him another and apologized again for not having any cash. “Oh, that’s okay,” he said. “These are better than money.”

It’s just this kind of experience that Gallagher says is the reason she and the Blankets for Canada volunteers do what they do. “With love in every stitch, we’re able to keep people who need comfort and hope a little warmer.”

Blankets for Canada’s Abbotsford Chapter meets this Thursday, March 3, from 11:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m at Michael’s in Abbotsford. For information, contact Nancy Gallagher at 604.504.3713.

To find out more about how you can support Blankets for Canada, please visit their website at www.blankets4canada.ca

First established in the late 1950’s, Semiahmoo House Society (SHS) provides critical assistance and support to some of society’s most vulnerable people—the men, women and children who live with mental handicaps, and their families. “We believe that all our community members have a right to services such as ours, allowing them to participate in the same activities in life as their non-handicapped peers,” says Director of Development, Zena Peden. “We provide the programs and tools that support them, so they can participate in the community, make their own choices, direct their own lives, and ultimately, lead productive, healthy and fulfilling lives.”

Through the years, the services offered by Semiahmoo House Society has grown to include personal development and employment training for adults, recreation and leisure services and daycamps for children and youths, and childcare services for children aged 30 months to 12 years. “Our goal is to provide quality support and services to people with disabilities and their families in the community,” Peden says, “and that our local community contributes to—and benefits from—valuing the people we support.”

SHS programs and services help to maintain or improve the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of participants. Through the programs, individuals gain accepting, fulfilling relationships, a sense of belonging, a feeling of safety and security in their communities—and an over-all better quality of life and life-style. “For families,” says Peden, “we provide respite and reassurance, knowing their loved one is receiving quality support and care.”

There are many ways to support the Society. Interested individuals can volunteer for programs, donate or pledge financial support or employ someone with a disability.  They could also become a Society member, participate in fundraising events and campaigns or help generate community awareness.

Peden says people often comment on the difference the Society makes in the lives of participants, but she sees it differently.  “If asked our staff members, they would say it’s the participants who make a difference in our lives,” she says.  “That’s very much the case for me.”

Semiahmoo House Society
www.semi-house-society.com
15306 24th Avenue, Surrey
Ring: 604.536.1242