A fundraising event featuring a silent auction, concert and 50/50 raffle will be held at Snake Lake Brewing Co. on June 28 in order to help raise money for the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre’s (CASASC) toy therapy room.
The event brought forward by Spill The Beans, The Baby Footprint, Snake Lake Brewing Co. and the Piper Creek Optimist Club of Red Deer fits right in line with the club’s mandate, fundraiser organizer Matt Hamill said.
“The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre is an incredibly important resource that we are fortunate to have in our community. They focus on prevention but also deal with support for everyone impacted by sexual assault.”
Each year the CASASC helps around 250 children, clinical team members at CASASC said.
“The age range of the children who primarily use the play room is from three to 14 years of age.”
The playroom has items such as a sand tray with assorted figurines, animals, puppets, dolls, cars/trucks, constructing toys like Lego, musical-based toys, art supplies, therapeutic games, remote-controlled toys, army men, play-doh, kitchen sets, costumes, books, action figures and sees regular use.
Twice a year staff ensure the room has adequate resources, members of the clinical team at CASASC said.
“Every couple of months staff have to assess which items have been too well used, and attempts are made to keep our stock up to date on having a variety of play options for kids to work through trauma. This is not always possible and is dependent on funding.”
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Fundraisers for the CASASC help the facility to be able to replace the toys and supplies used in the 30-35 therapy sessions that happen each week using the playroom.
“The ultimate need is for $13,000 to fund the toy therapy room at the CASASC, we don’t expect to reach the full amount with this event but we are hoping to maybe raise half that amount,” Hamill said.
Play and art therapy techniques are often used in therapeutic treatment for children and youth, the clinical team members added.
“Play sessions can be fairly intense having high-quality resources with multiple options for the child to engage in, allows the therapist more pathways to help kids and youth process difficult feelings and thoughts. The use of play creates some distance from the pain and allows the child to work towards better coping with distressing mind and body memories.”
During the silent auction that will take place at the fundraiser people in attendance will have the chance to bid on many different items.
Tickets priced at $35 are still available for the event and can be purchased using the link on the Facebook event page.
Silent auction items are also still being accepted.
The doors to the event will open at 6 p.m. on June 28 with the silent auction closing at 9 p.m.
@sarahbaker
sarah.baker@blackpress.ca
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