Sylvan Lake & District Victim Services Unit received a donation of $6,667 from Wild Rapids Waterslide Park on Monday afternoon.
The donation was the largest ever received by Victim Services with the organization’s program coordinator, Jennifer Plotnikoff stating the funds will go a lengthy way to ensure their volunteers and board members have the best possible training.
Charlie Everest, general manager of Wild Rapids stated the business donated $1 from every full day general admission sold over the summer.
“Before this we donated to the Bears and our fundraising was annually going towards a different sporting area,” explained Everest. “This year we decided to mix it up a little bit and decided we wanted to give back to the community in a different way - one that would make a lasting impact.”
Angela Kinzel, assistant coordinator for Victim Services, was also on hand Monday to thank Everest for their donation in which she explained the organization can be seen in a number of ways assisting Sylvan Lake residents and the RCMP.
“We are there for the victims - the police may call on us to be there to assist the victim and support them,” said Kinzel. “The RCMP are there to investigate, not to comfort necessarily - we are the emotional side of things when it comes to everything from sudden deaths, suicides, domestic assaults, robberies, fire arm incidents, house fires, and really everything in between.
“We can even refer people to programs for kids, mental health, financial issues, food, clothing, and shelter - for almost everything we can find some one to help you.”
Kinzel and Plotnikoff added Victim Services are always looking for volunteers to work alongside the RCMP. Volunteers are responsible for going to calls after regular business hours and undergo training from the Solicitor General online as well as a take part in a number of hands on training programs to ensure they have the necessary skills needed when assisting members of the community.
Volunteers require RCMP clearance checks due to the sensitivity of issues they will encounter.
For more information call Victim Services at 403 858 7255.
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