Safe Families students fundraising for families Major storm

By Ron Giofu

A group of summer students have started fundraising for Safe Families Windsor-Essex (SFWE).

Kezia DiPietro, Alisa Preston, Maegan Sulja, Addisyn Walker and Kiera Koolen have already started their fundraising efforts. It will be culminated with a wrap-up family fun event known as “Play Day” at Heritage Park Alliance Church in LaSalle Sept. 16.

DiPietro explained they have already started raising money, including with a silent auction online and a diaper drive in partnership with the Rotary Club of Amherstburg. The silent auction raised about $2,500.

“Throughout the summer, our volunteers and our community support Safe Families by doing their own fundraisers to contribute to the grand total. This includes garage sales, bake sales, etc.,” said DiPietro. “It all goes to Safe Families Windsor-Essex.”

Meriya Wolin, family placement co-ordinator with SFWE, said despite there being Safe Families chapters around the country, all proceeds the local chapter raises stay local.

“We’re raising our own funds,” said Wolin. The Sept. 16 “Play Day” will be celebrated with raffles, food trucks, a Dino Dash, carnival games, hay rides, and more.

“We are also looking for donations towards our raffles as well as businesses to join our Dino Dash,” said DiPietro. “We just want to bring the community in and talk about Safe Families.”

People who want to donate door prizes can contact SFWE through their Facebook or Instagram accounts or by contacting regional director Joanne Fear at joanne. fear@safefamilies.com.

In addition to fundraising, DiPietro said the summer students have been staying busy with developing meal kits and food deliveries for the families they support.

“We’ll be doing check-ins with families to see how they are doing,” said DiPietro.

Wolin added the students are also preparing a human trafficking presentation that will be used as part of a training video. Wolin is the family placement co-ordinator for Windsor and the west side of Essex County while another co-ordinator takes care of the east side of the county.

“Altogether we have 50 families so far and we have about 12 more on our waiting list,” said Wolin, of how many SFWE assists.

According to Safe Families Canada website at www.safefamiliescanada.com: “Safe Families for Children is a movement fueled by compassion to keep children safe and families intact. Through Host Families, Family Friends, and Family Coaches, we temporarily host children and provide a network of support to families in crisis while they get back on their feet. We open our hearts, open our arms, and open our homes.”

The local chapter is based out of Lighthouse Church in Amherstburg.