Inside Highlightspg 5 • Volunteer Appreciationpg 8 • Celebrating Our Earth Angels

NewsletterFall 2015

Kids KottageEarth Angels

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Kids Kottage’s Mission is to support families in crisis and prevent child abuse and neglect

Kids Kottage celebrates20 years

In the 20 years since Kids Kottage first opened its doors, many things about the crisis nursery have changed. The program has gotten bigger, available beds for children have increased from six to 12, and more staff and supports have been added to offer additional respite and educational services to families in distress.

Despite 20 years of growth, however, one thing — perhaps the most important thing — remains the same: a commitment to provide children with a safe refuge when they need it while helping their families cope with crisis and grow stronger together.

It’s the only facility of its kind in Edmonton, offering 24 hour emergency child care, FASD respite services, Basic Shelf sessions, and a caring, supportive community for the families that may not have communities of their own to rely on.

FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER2

The Kids Kottage newsletter is published three times annually. If you would like to contribute

or have any questions or concerns, please contact us at:

10107 - 134 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5E 1J2

Telephone: 780-448-1752 Fax: 780-441-9893

Email: mbarr@kidskottage.org

Graphic Design:Roaring Mouse Graphics

Printing: Xtreme-Print

Board of Directors:Nolan Berg, Board Chair

Robin BobicelTroy Chalifoux

Tracy Dalzell-HeissPatricia Hebert

Rob HeronKirstan Jewell

Brad KlakKunal NandDan Peskett

Rosanna Saccomani QC

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40012822

Stock photography: istockphoto.com, 123rf.com

First steps with Kids KottageA night away from home can be a scary idea for any child, but for those who are seeking shelter at Kids Kottage, that prospect can be especially daunting. The situation at home has grown unbearable in some way, whether that child’s parents are sick, or stressed out, or angry, or maybe there isn’t even a home to go home to at that moment.

Whatever the situation, we know the children who come to our door are tired, and probably frightened as well. That’s why our first step with these children is to invite them into our bear pit, where stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes wait to be selected by a child. Whichever animal that child picks, that animal will stay by their side the entire time they are with us, a welcome friend and familiar face that goes home with them when they do.

Kids Kottage marks 20 year milestoneFor 20 years, Kids Kottage has been meeting the needs of children in crisis in our community, doing everything possible to keep children safe. No matter the time, no matter the reason, we have been here — the only 24-hour crisis childcare option.

This is a time when we remember the many, many children we kept safe — a time to remember children’s parents that found the strength to ask for help. It is a time to remember the difference we made in so many children’s lives during their time of crisis, and after the crisis passed, as we witnessed their families step out of the vicious cycle into a future in which the children have a chance to live.

It is a time for those of us who work at Kids Kottage to remember with nostalgia the dedicated, committed staff and volunteers who, through the last 20 years gave 110% to ensure that all children had their basic needs met and could live and grow in a safe environment. This is a time to remember the fun we had over the years as we faced the challenges and celebrated the successes together!

Most of all, this milestone gives us a chance to pause and remember the many donors who gave so generously to open the doors in 1995 and make the dream of Kids Kottage become reality. Some of you have been alongside us for the whole 20 years, some of you have a shorter history of giving to Kids Kottage, but together your donations have kept our vital services available and accessible to those who undeniably deserve it most: infants and children.

As we move into the next 20 years we need your help to continue helping youngsters feel safe and secure at Kids Kottage, infants to be warm and content while they are away from home, and all of these children to return to a safe home. It is imperative that we can keep on helping — that is why Kids Kottage is here.

We believe, as we know you do, that a child in need should never go without safe shelter, and that is the reason Kids Kottage exists. The work is not finished. We cannot help every child, but we need to. Children are too important.

That’s why, unabashedly, I am asking you to give a generous donation now. Your donation will help us celebrate a significant milestone and it will go a long way to helping keep more children safe.

Lori Reiter, Executive Directior, Kids Kottage

3NEWSLETTER FALL 2015

Celebrating milestones with Kids KottageThis year, Kids Kottage celebrates 20 years of making a difference in the lives of children across the Edmonton region.It is impossible to imagine how much of a positive impact Kids Kottage has had on our community in the past two decades, but I am a fan of numbers and I’ve tried to do the math. If we help roughly 1,500 children and 700 families every year, that means in the last 20 years, we have helped over 25 thousand children and over ten thousand families by offering their children a safe and nurturing environment in times of family crisis. It’s amazing to think about.They say it takes a village to raise a child, and to many of the children and families we serve, we are their village. Kids Kottage functions not just as a crisis nursery, but as an integral part of the community, offering respite services, referrals to early intervention and family supports and educational resources to vulnerable families.But Kids Kottage would not exist without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors and sponsors. Without the many hands who pitch in to help us, the children we keep safe and the families we counsel would have nowhere else to go.For two decades, our staff and volunteers have rocked our children to sleep on their first night away from home, have soothed their worries and offered them a calm respite in the midst of whatever storm their family was experiencing at home. Year after year, our community has come together to bring the idea of Kids Kottage into a reality, and we will always be grateful for everyone who has offered us a helping hand.It would be remiss to remember 20 years of the Kottage without thinking of those children who first sought shelter with us, who are grown now, and perhaps with children of their own. The difference we made in their lives and the difference we continue to make in the lives of the children we see now can never be overstated.Thank you to Edmonton for embracing our cause when the Kottage first opened its doors and continuing to lend a helping hand now and in the future.Nolan Berg Chair, Kids Kottage Foundation Board of Directors

Balloons in Kids Kottage colours are released to mark our grand opening.

Colleen Klein with JR Shaw on opening day.

Colleen Klein and Mary Clark, our first executive director, at the Grand Opening.

Colleen Klein greets a young visitor at the Kottage.

Volunteers help get the Kottage ready for guests.

Cake from our fifth anniversary party.

Walter Regehr, our honourary grandfather, and his wife, Kay, at the Grand Opening. Both have since passed away.

We celebrated 20 years at our volunteer appreciation event this summer.

Rosanna Saccomani (board member) on left, Mary Clark, Kathleen Lewanczuk, and Linda Latter, our first volunteer co-ordinator getting the Kottage ready at a work bee.

Everybody pitched in to get the Kottage ready

FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER4

For all families, escaping the stress and schedule of everyday life in the city is an important part of resting and recharging over the summer. This year, Kids Kottage was pleased once again to be able to send a group of families beyond the city limits for a much needed break at Camp Warwa, nestled on the shores of Lac Ste. Anne. Thank you, Louis Kerckhof, for driving us up there!

Though the weather didn’t quite cooperate, remaining cold and rainy for most of the Labour Day weekend, children and parents made the best use

of any breaks in the rain to take part in archery and other outdoor activities.

It was another successful trip to Warwa, and we are so pleased that we are able to help some deserving Edmonton families have a few precious days away from the city.

Sidewalk Chalk PartyOn July 11, our friends from Laugh for Life joined us for an afternoon of fabulous food and fantastic art as we all worked together to add a little bit of colour to our sidewalks. We love this event because it’s an opportunity for families to come together with our staff and our guests from Laugh for Life for a carefree afternoon, free of stress and worry, to share in the sunshine and good time. The Kottage is always left a little brighter after an afternoon with our friends from Laugh for Life!

Camp Warwa: life outside the city limits

Learning a new skill at Family Camp.

Are those white things really marshmallow?

Time with mom while I wait.Two boys on their way to winning the scavenger hunt at Family Camp.

Artwork brightens up the Kids Kottage sidewalk.Jane Dyck from Kids Kottage serves up a great hamburger at Sidewalk Chalk Party.

Kids Kottage volunteers Jane Taylor and Jane and Dana Dyck.

A budding Kids Kottage artist.

5NEWSLETTER FALL 2015

Volunteers are an essential part of the Kids Kottage family.Whether they are helping us rock our children to sleep, reading them stories, teaching them new games, or helping us raise money to keep the nursery open, our volunteers keep our organization going strong.

On June 16, we hosted a volunteer appreciation event at the Chateau Louis Hotel and Conference Centre to recognize our current volunteers and all those who have been our helping hands for the last 20 years.

It was an amazing event filled with delicious food, great fun and music with Bare’n von Hair, and great company, giving us all the chance to renew friendships with some of those who started the work here at the Kottage so many years ago.

To all our volunteers, past and present, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for all the work you have done and continue to do to help the children and families who sometimes call the Kottage home.

In BloomThis year, we were honoured to be nominated for Edmonton’s Front Yards in Bloom. Our buildings are kept looking bright, clean and colourful thanks to the dedication of volunteers who visit and weed our flower beds. One of our volunteers, Agnes (below), visits faithfully each week to water our blooms.Lorrie Baugh Karen CloneyBev Munro

Karen and Marieanne Carlson Rosanna and Patricia

Nour Alnaji and Christina TaEldon and Marj Gjesdal

Ken and Lisa Buchanan

FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER6

Our Donors September 14, 2014 to June 15, 2015

Alan and Yvonne AbenAckroyd LLPBetty AdamsJenna AdamsUju AdedumJeffrey AdemaDana AdiizuaAirborne Social ClubAl-Terra Engineering Ltd.Alberta College of PharmacistsAlberta Justice and Attorney GeneralAlberta Royal Purple Lodges

AssociationLorne AlexanderAll Weather WindowsMary AllamAllegros Italian KitchenValerie and Ken AllersAllin Clinic Social CommitteeAnup AlsredAmpersand 27Phil AndersonCelso AndradeLorna AntonRenee AntonueciApex Diploma Prep

Daneesh AppooMarjory ArizaMs. Elaine ArmstrongKen and Carol ArnoldArpi’s North Inc.Phyllis ArseniukAssociated EngineeringATB Financial - Corporate

HeadquartersATCO Electric Ltd.ATCO GasEdna AuldAwards UnlimitedAntonius and Caroline BaartBrenda BaconMme BanerjeeKevin BarabashMahwish and Zeehan BarlasPaul BasahtiMs. Donna BaskierGordon BateupRanjit Signh BathRoman BayrockWade BeadleCarol BeaverJoel BelizarioBell CanadaBell MediaTravis BellerMark and Joelle BelletruttiBen Sawatzky FoundationLinda Benavides

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Louise BennettBrandon BergCynthia and Nolan BergJohn BergBerg ConsultingChad and Karen BergstreiserJoanne Berube and Gordon DerkPat BessetteBessie Nichols SchoolMichael BeyerBin 104 Fine Wine and Spirits Ltd.Mr. Russell BirdRacelle BitunJanet BlandKylie BlouinThe Blu PoppieBlue Jayne EnterprisesGord and Lisa BochekRick and Michelle BohachykKaren BohaychukArmand BoilyErin BondIan BootheRyan and Stacey BootsmanJoanne BordianBertha BorsjeLinda BoschmanMr. Robert BoschmanDenise BourqueGeoff and Beverly Braat

Ms. Stacey BraceShelly BradfordNorma BradleyMr. and Mrs. Slavko BrakusTyler BrenneisArt BrochuColin BrookeBrookfield Residential

(Alberta) LP - EdmontonMurray and Deanna BrooksBrookside SchoolLyndon BrowneBrownlee LLPSharon BruneauJoseph and Carla BuchanLeslie BucklerElaine BudneyJames and Lori BuhiireBuilding Trades of Alberta

Charitable FoundationBunches Flower CompanyCakes By CandaceNeil and Beverly CalhounCharles CalvertCameron Development CorporationCameron Plumbing & HeatingCami Custom Homes Ltd.Yolande CampeaCanadian Online Giving FoundationCanteenCapital Insurance BrokersCheyalla Cardinal

Mr. Jason CaronSamantha CastorCatholic Parish of St. Dominic

Savio ParishCentre Hope Ltd.CGI Information Systems &

Management Consultants IncBonnie ChalifouxMr. Jason ChanceMs. Heather ChappellChateau Lacombe HotelChateau Louis Hotel &

Conference CentreChateau Louis Liquor StoreMs. Margaret ChenConnie ChengMaria CherianMr. and Mrs. Raymond CheungTina CheungSandra ChipcharMary ChisholmJohn and Catherine ChomiakJerrald ChungChurch of the Nations EdmontonCIBC (Community Investment Sector)Cibo BistroCIIBIS IncMs. Michelle Anne ClarkPatricia ClarksonDouglas ClementTroy ClippertonDenise Clovechok

Cobalt CanadaTed and Dianne CoferJean CoglonMr. Luke ColeyKharis and Malcolm CollinsColor De VinoConcept Engineering Inc.Jacquie ConradJohn and Laura CooperJennifer CopelandMs. Breda CormackSharon CoryThe Cosmopolitan International Club

of EdmontonSteve and Sharon CoxCrane Safety Ltd.Crescent Hill Fund of Edmonton

Community FoundationKim CrickmayWendy CroftCrystal Glass Canada Ltd.CulliganMs. Shonell CumberbatchMr. Robin CuminePam and Rennie CyrilJacquelin DahlenLia DanielsData Group of CompaniesKerry DayDaytona GroupDoreen DeanKimberley Deleeuw

Community PartnersIt takes a village to

raise a child, and at Kids Kottage, our village is heavily populated by volunteers, eager to

lend a helping hand. We are grateful to each and

every one of them.

In August, George Osei, general manager for Edmonton West Property Stars, donated $1,500, the proceeds from a staff toy drive and fundraising effort.

On May 29, a group from Eaglemont Christian Church visited us, baking with us, cleaning our play room, sorting through donations and sweeping our courtyard. Another group from the church also visited earlier in March, washing our playroom toys and furniture in the courtyard.

The Dodge Squad from The Bear stopped by in January with pie from Fifendekel!

On August 17, a group from Beaumont Community Church helped us out by sorting and cleaning our garage.

The Alberta Blue Cross Hearts of Blue team donated a playhouse, wagon and dress up centre for the children this year!

In July, Salvador Construction came by and helped us out with a much needed renovation.

Mike Bedel drops off a donation from the Fraternal Order of Eagles.Volunteers from Christ’s Church of the Meadows helped out!

Cameron Quilliam delivers $300,000 from Lilly Schmidt’s estate to begin the Kids Kottage endowment fund.

7NEWSLETTER FALL 2015

Deloitte & Touche Foundation Canada

Dentons Canada LLPDES EngineeringBarb DesaulniersAlain DesgagneEthel DeWittDEYS Financial CorporationDialogDianne & Irving Kipnes FoundationBrad DickMr. Michael DickauBoris DjordjevicEvelyn DobersteinLee DoellMerle and Anita DohertyDolce Soleil Spa Ltd.Shannon and Brad DompeMr. Darrell DoneczJ.E. and Brenda DoucetLynda and Ashley DowneyAdrianne DrebertCindy DrutzBrenda DubilowskiCynthia DunniganAllison DupreDutell Equipment Ltd.Gorden DykstraAgnes DytiukTammy DytiukLance DziwenkoEarls ClareviewKaren EastlakeEdmonton Area Council One SocietyEdmonton Catholic School DistrictEdmonton Eskimo Alumni AssociationEdmonton Kubota

Edmonton Oil KingsEdmonton Public Teachers Local

No. 37 of the ATAEdmonton Regional Airport AuthorityEdmonton Riverview PC AssociationJanelle EffaChrista EisbrennerAaron and Jasman EisenerEl-Shaddai Dairies IncEldon & Anne Foote Fund of

Edmonton Community FoundationJacqueline ElyasEsther EngErnest’s Dining RoomBev EsslingerS. EvansSergei EwachniukMichael EwertEwor Enterprises Ltd.Fairmont Hotel MacdonaldFamosa West EdmontonShauna FaraginiDerek FarthingSharon FayeFederated Co-operatives LimitedMona Lee FeehanElizabeth Fehr-SiemensRoger FersovitchClayton FichtnerField Management ServicesBruno and Anita FiliplicMr. Adam FitzpatrickSandra and Robert FitzpatrickBarbara FlemingFort in View Golf & Driving

Range Ltd.Fortis Alberta

Mr. Kyle FosterAnthony and Daniela FranceschiniDarren and Colleen FrankFrank J. Flaman FoundationGeorge and Jody FraserJessica FrechetteNiels and Penny FrederiksenJon and Jen FrenchRachel FroeseDoug FulfordAileen FungLiz FursiewiczMichael GazsoGrant and Cori Lyn GengenbachDebbie GenovyRobin GeorgeChris GessnerEd GibbonsLouise and Chris GibsonBetty GiebelhausDale and Melinda GiebelhausGail GiesingerMandeep GillJeff GladueThe Glass MonkeyRonald GlenPam GobleGordon King Professional CorporationDarrell and Barbara GotaasDolores GoughGovernment of CanadaGrace Parrotta-King Professional

CorporationJohn and Lisa GraffEdward GrahamGramma Bear’s Home BakingGreenline Hose & Fittings Ltd.

Ms. Sherryl GreensillGreg MacKenzie & Associates

Consuting Ltd.Ken and Karen GriffithsPaul GroleauArne and Maureen GronbergRichard and Teresa GrynasKeith GuiochetRishi GurjarGuru RestaurantMs. Nancy GutteridgeMaureen HaczkewiczJill and Gerald HaeublWade HagmanBruce HagstromDoug and Nona HaitKelly HallMaureen HallBrett and Pat HammerlindlRandy HannahRaiven Hansen-DownsHardware GrillJaime HardyBob HarmsVern HartwellRalph and Carolyn HartwigFrancine HarveyRebekah HarveyCheryl and William HaskellDallas and Mary HaugeRobert HauptmanTeresa HaykowskyAmalle HaymourSandra HaywardH.A. and Sandra HazelwoodHearts of BluePatricia Hebert and Colin Lywood

Hemisphere Engineering IncAllen HendersonLois and David HendersonCourtney and Nathan HenryRob and Cathy HeronLaura HertzJoan Hertz-Benkendorf and Barry

BenkendorfTim and Karen HicksM. HingstonBrica HolVincent HoldenMuriel HoleHomefire GrillCezanne HorneHon. Doug HornerKaren HorvathMichelle and Larry HrynewShahnaz HudaniHundred Bar & GrillBarry and Cathy HutchingsRon HynesIgloo Building Supplies GroupImparkImperial Sovereign Court of the

Wild Rose Social AssociationBilli Jo IrwinJames and Dorita IsaacGeorge and Barb IwaniukJacek ChocolatesJamaica Association of

Northern AlbertaMurray and Karen JanzEleanor JanzenGaliah JeskeNorm JevneCheryl Ann Johnson

Thelma JohnsonVonita JordaanDale and Betty JoslinJSJ HoldingsShauna KadavilMartin and Connie KaeferAl H. and Cecilia KalkeSara KalkeLaura KampffKasian Architecture Interior Design &

Planning Ltd.Kate Chegwin SchoolJennifer KazarianChristopher and Christine KearneySharla KeimJacob KellermanMs. Amy KellestineRob KellingtonWilliam KellyMr. Daryn KempBen KennedyRoss KerrSamrawit KidaneEdith KIggunduAshley KingKingston Ross Pasnak LLPMani KiranSonia KirbyMs. Delta KitchVal KlakElinor KlapsteinTracy KlassenEric KnightJames and Susi KnoxAgneiszka Kopacz

continued next page

IKEA is a great partner to us, letting us help out at the Christmas tree lot each December, and this year, hosting Have Your Cake and Donate Too to raise funds for the Kottage.

Crystal Flaman poses with Pam and Lori at the Frank Flaman Gala.

Volunteers from Because Edmonton Cares help out in the kitchen.

This summer, visitors from BNI Elite came and helped clean up one of our flower beds! Karen and her son stopped in weekly all summer to maintain the flower bed.Tetra Tech volunteers help out on the Day of Caring.

This June, Sandbox Heroes, spearheaded by Kate Mackintosh, visited us with a group of enthusiastic volunteers who completely renovated our sandbox, as well as building a cover to keep it safe. This project was made possible through the generous support of Canadian Tire in Namao Centre, who provided the sand and equipment.

Nicole and Kristina bake cookies with their girls.

Telus Day of Caring.

FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER8

Angels on EarthAt Kids Kottage, we rely on angels in the form of donors and volunteers every day to keep the doors open for vulnerable families. Some corporations go above and beyond, committing to an annual donation of $25,000 for at least three years — and many of them choosing to commit for longer — as well as adopting the Kids Kottage cause for internal and customer-oriented fundraisers. It’s more than just the fundraising, however. These angels show up, in large groups, whenever we put out the call for extra hands to help with our own community events, like running a Christmas tree lot or hosting a 50/50 draw at an Oilers game.

Those angels earn a special title. They are our Earth Angels.

Kids Kottage has two long-standing Earth Angels, Mammoet and Brookfield Residential, who have both supported us for longer than three years.

To learn more about the Earth Angels program, or other ways your corporation can support Kids Kottage, please contact Pam at pmiller@kidskottage.org.

MammoetMammoet, a heavy lifting and transport specialist, is a world leader in the transport, shipping, installation and removal of heavy or large objects, to and from any location, including offshore. They primarily work in the petrochemical, civil, power, wind and offshore industries. By relying on thousands of skilled professionals, a fleet of state-of-the-art equipment, and engineering skills, Mammoet has made a name for themselves as a market leader with stringent safety standards.

They are huge supporters of the Kids Kottage mission, sharing our values and helping us make communities safer for children.

Brookfield ResidentialBrookfield Residential is a community builder. They develop residential communities, designed to support neighbours in getting to know one another. They are financially disciplined, prudent in investing, and undertaking extensive market research. They believe that customers should tell them what they want, not vice versa.

They also believe in supporting the communities they help build, which is why they support Kids Kottage, sharing our vision of a day when all children in the community will know what it is like to live in a supportive and loving environment.

Mark KortbeekJamie and Brad KotowichRita KrebsEugene KrupaMr. Clayton KucherawyOrest KuchmakTony KudrykMr. Ryan KuntzDiane KvermeWayne and Anita LabrecheMariam LalVictor LalondeGwen and Gordon LamoureuxLandmark Group of Companies IncCarmen LanteigneLarana Holdings Ltd.Ms. J. LarinRobert LauzonDonald and Johanna LawMia LawTyler Layne-LintonKenneth and Ramona LeblancFlorence LedeLeslie LeeworthyHolly LefebvreMarlon LeggottLehigh Hanson Materials LimitedMaria LeonardCindy LeonhardtEric LetourneauSharon LeungLexus of Edmonton

Lincolnberg Master BuildersMark LindemanMr. and Mrs. Lavern M. LiskeFrances LittleKarin LordBob LosieJudith LotholzDave and Pam LuscombeMs. Sarah LutgenGerald and Rhoda LutzDebbie LytkaM & Z Industrial Supply Ltd.Leslie MacEachernKate and Kirk MackintoshDon MacLeanDaniel MacLennanRory MaetcheMagda Tomczak Children’s Aid

FoundationAnnie MahDavid and Laverne MajeauMs. Teresa MakDwayne MandrusiakThe Marc Restaurant Group Ltd.Steve MarrazzoMr. Robin MartinMichelle MaserMs. Tricia MaslykJoanne MatherMatheson Seniors Housing Corp. -

General AccountJane MayakiMs. Sharon McBeanDeborah Fay McCandlessShirlee McDougaldJames McIntryeMs. Kristin McKay

Ms. Laurel McKayTammy McKenna PettitIfy McKerlieBrenda McKinnonDonna McLeanElizabeth McLeanRuth McPhersonJames and Betty McQuarrieTadeusz MediukEvelyn MenzelChanley MercerMr. Paul MeyersGreg MiazgaPeter and Carole MichalyshynMark MiddletonMidwest Constructors LPKaren and Douglas MilesChris MillerMarla MillerMadeline MillsBarbara MilneMMD Mineral Sizing (Canada) Inc.MMM GroupJoanne MoffatJanet MoffattJim and Sandra MonesCelestine MontgomeryGenyva and Julian MooreTammy MorlingKen MorozMarjorie MorrisDonna MorrowTerrence and Bev MozakMichael MudryDeanna MuiseRachael MunroDaniel and Sharon Murphy

Mary MurraySharon MyroniukN.E. Social/Wellness CommitteeNait Retail Meat StoreKunal NandLaura NanningaJavaid and Henrietta NaqviKylene NaumanMr. and Mrs. Kaj NeilsenNello’s RestaurantLydia and Rob NeufeldSidney and Johanna NieuwenhuisMarilyn NobleNorQuest CollegeBayne NorrieNorth 53Northgate Baptist ChurchSharla NuijensO’Hanlon Paving Ltd.John and Mary O’NeillLaura and Dermot O’NeillOgilvie Fund of Edmonton

Community Foundation1529947 Alberta Ltd.Tonia OnyschukJohn and Judee OrfinoOrmsby Elementary SchoolLinda and Murry OsborneCrista OsualdiniChris OuelletteBonnie OwenLori OwenRon PacholikPackrat LouieDoris ParadisDwight and Ann ParasParents Association of Sweet Grass

Park PavingPartridge Hill United ChurchKelly PatersonDavid PatrsykFreda PattersonBrian and Lori PaushPCL Constructors Inc - Head OfficePderas Consulting Group IncBrian and Carol PeckfordChad and Mona PelletierMs. Christina PerssonDan PeskettDianne PetersenHugh and Faye PhillipsRick PineoPitch Properties Ltd.Gilbert and Shirley PituraSarah PlateroMarina PlewesPoints West MarketingPoints West Mechanical Ltd.Desarae PoleonJoan PollockMs. Reynata PonceKris and Rosa PorlierDiane PresakarchukLeah and Wayne PrinsPrivada RestaurantPro-V Manufacturing LPJoscelyn ProbyTammy ProkopowichDebra and Don PukaloJoffrey QrquiaQuality Move Management Inc.Quickfire CookeryCameron QuilliamCarol Quilliam

Charles QuilliamR.C. Purdy’s Chocolates Ltd.Minnie RachinskiRadisson Edmonton South HotelMasilamani and Navamani RajuRakesh B. Patel Prosessional Corp.Annie RamosTara RankinHeather Rask-MaynesJeremy RattaiRBC Dominion SecuritiesRebel Heart TruckingRed Willow Community ChurchBryan and Theresa ReichertMs. Amber ReichertPhilip ReidRon and Anita ReisdorfRge RdThe Rental HouseDavid and Gail RiehlJason RinasSteve and Manilla RitzRiver House GrillRobinson Insurance Brokers Ltd.Robert RoddickShannon RodenChristine RodgerChristian RoehrsWilliam RogersRon Hodgson Chevrolet Buick

GMC Ltd.Rita RosekeDavid and Donna RosemanRostizadosMyron and Patricia RothMrs. Robin RoyRoyal Bank of Canada

Donorscontinued from Page 7

Carlin Gurjar, Senior Customer Relations Manager for Brookfield Residential, presents funds raised for Kids Kottage at the Brookfield Golf Tournament in June to Pam Miller.

Joery van Vlierden, Managing Director at Mammoet, signing the cheque at the Mammoet Golf Tournament in September where they raised money and collected diapers for the crisis nursery.

9NEWSLETTER FALL 2015

Royal Purple Lodge No. 22Shelley RudigerDonald RushtonRocky RussellRuth’s Chris SteakhouseSabor Divino RestaurantRosanna SaccomaniHollie Sackett-ReidChris SadleirSalem Mennonite ChurchMalcolm and Margaret SallieSalvador Construction Ltd.Mr. Terrence SaskDan SaundersErica SaundersRebecca SaundersSave-On-Foods - NamaoBen SawatzkySC SystemsLeonard and Lilly SchellertBruce SchmidtGary and Monica SchmidtThe Estate of Lilly SchmidtKimberly SchreursMs. Laura SchreursAngelee SchrieverLucian SchulteMs. Christine SchulteLothar and Hanna SchwabeScotiabank - Prairie Regional OfficeGraeme ScottShauna ScottMargaret SebzdaValarie and Francisco SeguraDebbie SehnClaudia Seiler-Mutton

SelectSelect Equipment RentalsMs. Janet SeniukRobert SewellMr. Matthew SharpMr. Michael SharpCurtis and Margaret ShellShannon ShewchukEarl ShindrukSHINE 105.9 FMDean and Karen ShipkaDaniel ShuteSign-A-RamaLinnea SignoreSunhee SinSinclair Supply Ltd.Ms. Erika SinyardRandy SmandychArthur and Pauline SmithGary Smith and Anna LoparcoJan SmithJeff SmithMr. Nathan SmithPatricia SmithTasha SmithTracey and Donald SnowSNOW EnterprisesSnow ValleySolstice Seasonal CuisineJulie SonnemaNancy and Stephen SorensenDouglas SorensonGreg SotheranSouthgate VolkswagenMr. Bryce SouthworthRob Specht

Sport & Squirrel Trucking Ltd.St Michael’s Health GroupSt. John’s Lutheran Church

of Golden SpikeJames StadelmanStantec Consulting Ltd.Lindsey StarkDon StarkoStarline Equipment Sales Ltd.Start. Walk. Stride. Inc.Jerry and Theresa SteilDerek SteinbrennerGarry and Joan SteinbrennerKelly StelStanley and Stephany StevensEvelyn StolkConnie StolleryStony Plain Lodge #225Todd StormeErin StrachanStrathcona CountyDoreen and Richard StrongSturgeon Valley Baptist ChurchSuperior Trenching Ltd.Supreme GroupSupreme Steel LPSupreme Steel LP Bridge DivisionSureway Construction

Management Ltd.Ms. Jenni SustrateDoris TachukLorraine-Jules TailleurMarlene TannerIrena TarnawskyTarrabain, Raponi & CompanyJane Taylor

Joyce TaylorWendy TaylorDaniel TchirTD Waterhouse Private Client GroupTeam TELUS CaresDeb Teborin SutherlandBruce and Sharon TelfordKen and Betty Jo TellTelusTelus Community AmbassadorsCatherine TennantLeanne ThomsonThread HillThrift Shop TheMr. John TigchelaarLinda TimmsTimothy G. Muzyka Professional

CorporationShauna TomarthyRichard TomkowTony & Daniela Franceschini Family

Fund of Edmonton Community Foundation

Top Shelf Closets & Glass IncTouch Canada Broadcasting IncThu TranTrans America Group Ltd.Luc TremblayTracy TremblettDarren TurchanskyBarbara TurnerTerry Lynn TurnerMr. and Mrs. Jacek TuszynskiTwo Guys with PipesTzin Wine & Tapas

Ukrainian Catholic Parish of St. George

United Church Women BeverlyUnited Way of Greater TorontoArnold and Shirley UrbonasJay and Suzanne VaartstraWim Van BeekRay Van Der EykenKimberly van der HelmSlade and Caroline Van RooyenKelsey VanDerKleyWill VanderveldeKristian ViddalChris VilcsakVinok Worldancevivo ristoranteDr. Cora VoyageurAllan and Bette WachowichJames WagnerSusan WagnerWaiward Construction

Management Inc.Gord and Patty WaldieLoreen WalesJudy WalkerMarvin WallMs. Elizabeth WalterWAM (Re) Development Management

Corp.Warehouse Services Inc.Mary WatsonWawanesaWawanesa Mutual Insurance

CompanyAlex WebbLouella Webber

Blaine WeissWestJetLes and Emily WestwoodColin WetterP. J. WhiteCarol WhitemanCarol WielerJenny WigerMr. Reid WilkinsonWilliam & Florence Lede

Family FoundationSandra WillisKaren and Daryl WilsonWipro Solutions Canada Ltd.Ms. Jennifer WoodburnWorkers Compensation BoardGarry and Judy WorthingtonRandy and Donna WoycenkoDonna WoychukS. J. WynnWesley WytonXtreme PrintConnie and David YachimecRon and Liz YaciukVictorine Yakiwchuk and

Ken LaubmanShane and Gay YakoweshenAudrey and Len YarbroughDaniel and Noreen YeungCarolyn ZachariasDiana ZanderJames and Laura ZarownyRuheen and Bijhan ZaverYuan ZhouArden and Holley ZieglerHugh and Linda Ziprick

Laughing for Life the best medicineThe kind people at Laugh for Life have made laugher a way of life and we all know that laughter is one of life’s best medicines.

With a mission to eradicate urban poverty and suffering in Edmonton, Laugh for Life is a dedicated group of volunteers who organize an annual gala which serves two purposes: lightening hearts and raising funds for non-profit groups that, as they say, “exemplify the call to love our neighbour,” like Kids Kottage.

After 2014’s Laugh for Life comedy gala, the group had raised more than $337,500 for Edmonton-area charity groups over the course of 11 events, as well as raising countless spirits.

On October 24, Laugh for Life will be splitting the proceeds of their 2015 gala between Kids Kottage and the Mustard Seed, and we can’t wait to attend! With comedians Chonda Pierce and Jonnie W, it is sure to be a blast. Don’t miss out! For more info, go to laughforlife.ca One of the volunteers welcomes guests to the

annual gala.

Laugh for Life hosts an annual comedy gala to raise funds for local charities, like Kids Kottage.

The organization is made up of volunteers.

Hot wheels: Empire Collision raffleAt Kids Kottage, we are always honoured when local businesses choose us as their cause of choice when dreaming up a fundraising idea, and last year, to commemorate 50 years in the community, Empire Collision had a pretty amazing idea. It was also the 50th anniversary of the Fort Mustang, so the folks at Empire Collision chose to donate two Ford Mustangs — a 1964 and a 2014 — to be raffled off to raise funds for our crisis nursery!

The ’64 Mustang was raffled off at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament earlier in 2014, and the raffle for the new Mustang was kicked off with style — at the celebration of half

a century of success at Empire Collision on August 21, 2014!

The event was exciting for so many reasons. We got to hand over the keys to the lucky winner of the ’64 Mustang, we got to kick off the contest for the ’14 Mustang, and we got to watch the unveiling of one of the largest painted murals in Edmonton, created by local artist Kris Friesen. The beautiful painting is 20 feet long and 12 feet high and is a tribute to Edmonton, telling the story of Empire Collision and Edmonton with it.

Just in time for Christmas, we drew our lucky winner of the 2014 Mustang on

December 17, and on December 29, Yvonne Blowers of Edmonton officially took possession of her brand new car!

Thank you to Empire Collision for partnering with us on this amazing fundraising venture, and congratulations on 50 years!

FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER10

On the airwavesEach year, we are honoured to partner with 105.9 Shine FM and AM0930 the Light in one of our biggest fundraising drives, our Christmas Radiothon. The event is always a labour of love, and 2014 was no exception, as our teams of volunteers ran our phones for 12 hours at the West Edmonton Mall HMV stage — in the middle of Christmas shopping season — on December 11 to raise money to support the children in our care.

In the end, thanks to the generosity of donors across the Edmonton area and our corporate supporters who matched donations, we raised $103,000!

Each year, we are humbled and grateful for the support we receive. Our doors remain open to children and families in need because we have been embraced by the Edmonton community, and for that, we will always be grateful.

We would like to send out a special thank you to the singers from Pure Artists and all the others for keeping us entertained as we toiled behind the phones, and Green Line Pipe and Hose, who came down in person to drop off the funds raised by their staff, and special toys and supplies chosen especially for the children in our care.

We would also like to thank all those who matched the generous donations

we received, helping to increase our fundraising total:

Awards UnlimitedEdmonton Area Council One SocietyJim MonesStarline Equipment Sales Ltd.Purdy’s Chocolates Ltd.M&Z Industrial SuppliesTimothy G Muzyka Professional

CorporationEdmonton Public TeachersEdward GrahamKen & Betty-Jo TellCameron Plumbing & HeatingATB Financial

We know our Radiothon would be impossible without the many volunteer hands that pitch in to help, so we would like to thank our 2014 volunteers:

Dave, Connie, Emily and Ty of Xtreme Printing

Karen, Kirk, Lorie, Jacquie and Saylor from BNI Elite

Jackie, Ron, Dusty and Kevin from Mammoet

Terri, Kim and Huong from Awards Unlimited

Dwayne, Clarence, Bayne and Todd from the Eskimo Alumni

Bryce and Graeme from Brownlee Law

Bud Miller from Edmonton TransitEldon Gjesdal from Energy

Efficient HomesDon Bourassa from the Edmonton

Oil KingsCody, who helped us carry our equipment

into the mallAbdul, Faezeh, Adrienne, Tara and Kelly

from Kingston Ross Pasnak LLPDana, Ken, Lisa, Leanne and Rada

from EnbridgeRadio hosts Robert of 0930 the Light and

Johnny Rocket, Hollie Taylor, David James, Melayne

Shankel, Chantel Neufeld and Carol Henders of 105.9 Shine FM.

And thank you to all of those who donated to our cause, allowing us to ensure many more children are safe and nurtured as their parents find support during times of family distress. You have helped Kids Kottage in a big way.

The 2014 Mustang on display in front of the lovely mural unveiled at the Empire Collision 50th anniversary celebration.

Dana’s team has ears to the phone, taking donations.

11NEWSLETTER FALL 2015

Valentine’s Event wine tastingThere is nothing quite like good food, good wine, good music and good company to brighten a February evening, and at this year’s Valentine event, For the Love of Wine, we had all four.

This year’s wine tasting event was a huge success, bringing together over 300 supporters at the Delta Edmonton South. Thanks to sponsor Juanita Roos and her family from Color deVino, and Lexus Edmonton for their support, we raised over $30,000 for the children at Kids Kottage!

We can’t forget the important contributions of the 23 wine agents who showcased their products from all over the world, our wonderful auction donors who put forth amazing items themed around Valentine’s Day, the essence of love, and the ambiance or romance, travel and leisure for our auction!

Thank you to our sponsors and all who came out to ensure our night was so much fun! 

Board Member and Wine Event Chair, Troy Chalifoux, enjoys the evening with friends.

Karen Cloney and friends toast the event!So many wines to taste.

Kids Kottage Wine Event is a time to meet with friends.

Serving wine for tasting at Kids Kottage wine event.

Nathan Plum, volunteer, enjoys the wine event with his guest.

Save the Date

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NEWSLETTER FALL 2015

Kids Kottage Gotham Gala

October 16, 2015

Laugh For Life GalaOctober 24, 2015

Radiothonon Shine FM and AM0930

December 10, 2015

50/50 Draw

at the Oilers gameFebruary 11, 2016

Valentine Event February 19, 2016

A season of ThankfulnessAt Kids Kottage, we are so thankful that we have the resources and the facility to offer hope and support to families in crisis. There is so much to be afraid of, life is moving too quickly and there are so many

stresses and catastrophes waiting around every corner, and the fact that we can be there, offering safe shelter for children and a kind word of encouragement to a struggling parent is why we continue to do what we do. The fact that we have been there for Edmonton families for 20 years offering that hand up and that warm place to call home when it’s needed most is something we take great pride in.

We know none of this would be here without our volunteers and our donors, supporting us, shoring up the walls of our shelter with their endless enthusiasm and their time. Sometimes it seems like the roof of Kids Kottage is standing on a foundation of loving and endless volunteer hours, of effort spent by people with caring hearts and open minds who do it for the love of

children and to strengthen the fabric of Edmonton’s family and community. We will always be grateful for those dedicated volunteers and donors who give so selflessly.

At the same time, we know that Kids Kottage would be nothing without our staff, who bring with them a wealth of experience, education, skill and personal learning to fill the rooms of our nursery with nurturing, patience, and kind acceptance for every family who comes to us for support. We need to recognize the dedication our staff during this season of thankfulness, to thank them for all that they do to welcome families in need with open arms, a child-sized bed, a warm cup of coffee, a conversation, and doing whatever they can to help families get back on their feet.

So to our staff, we thank you, for being there when the children first arrive, for holding them when they get lonely or scared, for teaching them the joys of being a carefree child, if only for a little while, and for being there if they wake in the night. Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving.

We are pleased to partner on a few different initiatives with Ikea in Edmonton, including Have Your Cake and Eat It Too, after which Ikea donated $6,000 to the Kottage! We also annually run a Christmas tree lot at Ikea, which takes a huge amount of volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering for the Christmas tree lot, please contact Pam at pmiller@kidskottage.org. Thank you!