Last month, Const. Colleen Lowing with the Nelson RCMP had the pleasure of meeting the most recent ambassador for Cops for Kids in the West Kootenays.
Lowing met with five-year-old Christian Sawatsky and his mother, Anne-Marie Edgar at the Prestige Lakeside Resort so that Lowing could present an iPad and accessories, which totalled a $1,500 grant on behalf of Cops for Kids. The iPad, accessories and apps that go with it will help Sawatsky to interact and learn to communicate better with his family and peers.
Also present for the presentation was Tashia Weeks, of the Supported Child Development Program. The Supported Child Development Program is an organization based out of Castlegar that assists children throughout the Kootenay Boundary region with specialized support to aid with the integration of children with special needs into child care and school environments. It was the Supported Child Development Program who submitted the grant application to Cops for Kids on Sawatsky’s behalf.
Cops for Kids is a charitable organization made up of mostly RCMP and related employees, including BC Sheriffs and Border Services. Cops for Kids fundraises year round to raise money for children with disabilities and long-term illnesses throughout the Southern Interior of British Columbia. All the money raised stays in local communities. Last year Cops for Kids sponsored approximately 10 children from the Kootenay Boundary region.
The Prestige Hotel is one of the biggest sponsors of the Cops for Kids Bike Ride. Each year they provide lodging for the riders in several towns along the ride route. This goes a long way to reduce the operating costs of the ride.
This year Nelson has two local riders in the Cops for Kids bike ride, which is the biggest and most publicized fundraiser for Cops for Kids. Riders have to raise a minimum of $2,000 each to take part in the ride. The Cops for Kids Bike Ride happens in September and riders complete 1,000 kms in 10 days on their road bikes. Mike Kosof of BC Sheriffs and Const. Bill Long of the Nelson RCMP will be riding and fundraising for this year’s bike ride.
To donate to Cops for Kids, or to apply for a grant for a family or child you know, or for any other information, please go to copsforkids.org or contact Lowing at the Nelson RCMP 250-354-5116.