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Miss Emily the Cat at Home in the KCDC
The Kootenay Child Development Centre (KCDC) officially opened its doors on April 2, and Whimsical Publishing co-owners Trina Ayling and Micheline Ryckman are enthusiastic supporters of the centre.
“My own son, Hunter, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome a few years ago” says Ryckman. “I know how needed these services are and how hard people have worked to make this Centre a reality.”
According to Gwen Noble, one of the key fundraising organizers for the Centre, there’s an estimated 700 children with disabilities in our region. “Before the centre opened last month the nearest community of specialists was a 4½ hour drive through the Rocky mountains.”
Plans to change that began in 2009 when Community Connections Society of South East BC purchased the old Shannon’s Fabrics site and planning and fundraising efforts began in earnest. Since that time one million of the $1.1 million goal has been realized.
“Our community didn’t give up on doing what’s best for the children and families in our communities,” says Noble “and everyone continues to give generously to make the new Centre a warm and welcoming place for children.”
Most recently, Ayling and Ryckman donated two signed, numbered and framed prints from their children’s book, Miss Emily Goes to Bat, to the Centre.
“When we first launched Miss Emily Goes to Bat we did a number of library and classroom readings of our book pledging 20% of our retail sales to the Centre”, says Ayling. “and we’re excited to be able to donate to the Centre again.”
The Kootenay Child Development Centre continues its fundraising efforts with Mopar in the Mountains and will host its official opening on Friday, June 15 at 9:45 a.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Tours, cake, refreshments and children’s activities are all part of the celebration.
For more information on the Kootenay Child Development Centre, Mopar in the Mountains, or to make a donation visit the KCDC website at www.kootenaycdc.ca.
For information on Miss Emily Goes to Bat or to download colouring pages, puzzles and craft projects visit the Whimsical Publishing website at www.whimsicalpublishing.ca.
Above photo: From left, Micheline Ryckman, Gwen Noble, Gail Brown, Patricia Whalen and Trina Ayling.
Submitted
