Smoky River Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is gearing up to celebrate National Child’s Day Nov. 20.
FCSS director Crystal Trembly explains National Child Day is a day dedicated to promoting rights of children and recognizing Canada’s commitment to upholding them. She says according to the Government of Canada, the day commemorates the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. The day is also acknowledged globally as World Children’s Day.
“We need to recognize the youth of our region and let them know they are supported in the communities that they live in,” says Tremblay.
“This is the fourth year we are doing this activity. We ask local businesses in Falher to open their businesses to the children.”
Tremblay says each business in the community will have a different activity for the youth.
“Some (activities) that have been done in the past is hot chocolate, pictures or glitter tattoo,” she explains.
“The youth will get a map with all the businesses that are participating, and they are encouraged to visit all the businesses they can,” she adds.
Tremblay says youth in McLennan can grab their bags at the library in McLennan and Providence School students will have a bag delivered to them at the school.
“For the businesses it is their opportunity to show the youth that people care and support them,” Tremblay says.
“For the youth it is a great opportunity to get to know the businesses as well as start to build relationships with business owners.”
Tremblay says the initiative could also be beneficial to children in need of help, because they will remember the kind people at the businesses and know they can trust them.
“Businesses need to contact FCSS and let us know they want to be involved and explain what they are offering to do as an activity,” says Tremblay.
“We then put them on the map and send the youth to their business. The public can also support the kids by being friendly and supporting them as they walk around town.”
Tremblay urges families to participate in the event. If anyone would like additional information about the day, or you would like to participate as a business, Tremblay says to reach out to the FCSS office at (780) 837-2220.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter