Dear Editor:
Nothing is appreciated more by the Heartland Youth Centre than positive media coverage. The Independent’s recent coverage of the volunteer appreciation night was excellent.
Of course, we can’t control what is printed in the newspaper. If requested, however, I could have provided columnist Richard Froese with a statement of expenses to peruse before assuming there was “waste” in our awards distribution.
Last week’s “Waste Not, Want Not” column (Froese ’n Time) stated that the HYC, “which has lost thousands of dollars in funding, could easily eliminate trophies (or expensive trophies, as mentioned later in the column) awarded to its youth.”
The HYC presents two trophies to members and three trophies to adults based on fundraising. Most of these trophies were donated in 1985 and are kept at the youth centre. A local business donates the engraving each year. The various treats and prizes awarded to the members at the Bowl for Kids awards were donated by local businesses and an HYC mentor volunteer.
The HYC Bowl for Kids event raised $14,385, with $1,526 in expenses. These are needed expenses to operate this event.
As for the reference to, “When is fundraising a game when the biggest fundraisers are the champions?” — I would like to point out that all HYC members and their families are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the Bowl for Kids fundraiser. As well, this is the only event of the year that HYC members and families are asked to fundraise for the youth centre. This year, 52 members raised $3,938 for the HYC! ALL members who participated in the fundraiser were recognized, not just the top fundraiser.
I agree with the columnist’s comment, “Asking for money and pledges is very challenging” — however, is that not a valuable learning opportunity for our youth? What do our members gain from this experience? Confi dence, self-esteem, and pride in their youth centre.
If we all avoid such challenging experiences or going outside of our comfort zone, we’re not allowing ourselves to grow.
I will use the columnist’s term of “totally appalled” in regard to his reminder that “it’s better to give than receive.”
I believe the youth centre has demonstrated over the past 25 years in the community that our membership is “giving.” Youth centre members help out with (and have been recognized for their efforts) by groups such as the food bank, highway cleanup, local parks and playgrounds cleanup, Kinette Club Kids Carnival, Loaves and Fishes in Red Deer, Festival of Trees, the trade show, the rummage sale and many other events.
I hope that future columns will include an opportunity to provide our organization’s comments for accuracy, as I do appreciate the excellent coverage the Independent provides the youth centre of our various events throughout the year.
Winnie Bissett,
HYC executive-director