It is often said that children and youth are the future of a community. They have so much potential to grow to become leaders and contribute to society as adults.
Sadly, many young children and teens don’t get that opportunity to enter that stage in life. Young lives can be taken by sudden and tragic death and diseases.
Yet, it’s during those times that communities and citizens always seem to come together to support families and loved ones.
The Family Day weekend – Feb. 14-16 – was an ideal time to support families at a special fundraiser in High Prairie to support an organization – the Make-A-Wish Foundation – that grants wishes to children and youth with life-threatening illnesses.
The event was held in honour of a young woman who lost her life after a battle with cancer in 2020.
When a child or teenager faces those serious illnesses, citizens always step up to lead fundraisers and support for the young person and their families.
Small communities have a reputation of creating a strong support base to families who face such a dire situation.
In small-town regions, most residents often know the family or someone else who knows the family.
It often affects everyone.
Love, care and support from the community goes a long way for the families to cope with the burden.
Cancer and other life-threatening diseases take a huge toll financially, physically and emotionally.
Dealing with the health issues is very disruptive for the family and costly. Families usually have to travel up to several hundred kilometres – round trip – for regular treatments every few weeks.
Sometimes the young person has to stay in hospital for a lengthy time and parents stay close and have to take a hotel room that can also be costly.
Working parents take time off away from the job.
It is why it’s valuable that communities rally to support families in many ways.
When affected families share their experiences in public platforms, they always seem to say the same thing that carries them through the difficult time of stress and anxiety.
Families and loved ones say they couldn’t have made it without community support.
Most usually describe it as “generous” support.
They appreciate the cares, prayers, gifts of funding, driving people to appointments, meals for the family, doing errands, cards, flowers – and just being present with the family.
And a big warm hug can also be just what the person needs or wants.
No matter if it’s a child or an older person who suddenly dies, citizens in small towns are always there to help and comfort the family and loved ones.
They have a heart for those in time of need.
Richard Froese