Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services has once again teamed up with the Esso/Husky truck stop for the organization’s annual Bear Paw Campaign. Bear Paws are being sold until the end of the month and all funds raised support the Little Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Sometimes, the difficult things are the most important to talk about.
With that in mind, Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services (LSAS), in partnership with the Esso/Husky truck stop, is once again in the middle of its annual Bear Paw Campaign and needs your support.
The Bear Paw Campaign was originally launched in 2014 as a way to raise funds for renovations at LSAS’ Little Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. Over the years the annual campaign has shifted gears and now supports services provided by LSAS.
“At the Little Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, we provide advocacy services, we facilitate forensic interviews, so the RCMP can come interview children and youth who have been impacted by child abuse,” said Donna Astley-Reed, program director, Little Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
“They can do their statements there instead of at the RCMP station, so it’s a child-friendly environment. It’s warm and welcoming, and they can feel a bit safer and more comfortable.
“This campaign is really important to get the word out there, but also, the funds raised go towards Little Bear programming and services. It all goes right back into providing supplies our clients need.”
Kaitlyn Shopland, social media coordinator at LSAS, who also takes on other projects throughout the centre, holds this campaign near and dear to her heart as she used to work at the Esso/Husky truck stop.
“The campaign brings a lot of awareness to what we do. It’s not really about the money as much as it’s about getting Little Bear out there because people ask questions like, ‘who are we and what do we do,’” she said.
During the campaign, paper bear paws are offered to Esso customers for $1 each. The customer can sign his or her name if they’d like, or leave the paw blank before it is hung in the store until the end of December when the campaign ends.
“Coming into the Esso, seeing our name and having a conversation about the campaign is what this is all about,” said Shopland.
“People are encouraged to check out our website for more information on what we do, but we also do tours of our building, so if you want to check out our centre and really see how much care and love we put into making sure these kiddos are comfortable in our space, that’s available, too.”
The partnership between LSAS and the Esso/Husky is longstanding and something owner/operator, Derrit Daigle, cares about greatly.
“It’s creating a lot of awareness here, both with our team and with our team talking with customers, and that’s the greatest thing about it,” said Daigle.
“It’s more about awareness than the money. We’ve brought in over $400 in the first two days which is amazing, and the public is more aware of it.”
For Astley-Reed, this campaign is needed now more than ever.
“Our numbers are increasing and we’re providing more and more interviews at our centre,” she said.
“We do need this service in our community and it’s not just Lloydminster, it’s Lloydminster and surrounding areas that we provide, on both sides of the border. We are also the closest child advocacy centre next to Edmonton and Saskatoon, so for many people, coming here is much easier than travelling.”
LSAS is also ramping up for its Night Under The Stars gala, which is being held on Feb. 11, 2023, at the WLS Convention Centre. All funds raised at the gala will go towards repairing the foundation of the 1927 community building LSAS is housed.
“We do have a gala coming up on Feb. 11. It’s being held at the Ex Grounds and tickets are currently available for that. We’re raising money to renovate the foundation of our building,” said Astley-Reed.
“We are in dire need of that renovation so we can continue to provide services in that building. That’s our big goal, to push for that gala and get tickets sold. People are also welcome to donate any live or silent auction items for the gala, or even purchase a table and donate it to one of our service providers - Victim Services, the RCMP, or something like that.”
Tickets and more information on the gala can be found by calling LSAS at 306-825-8255.
