Heather Latter
“Project Safe Hallowe’en,” presented by Child and Family Services here, is returning once again this year—and even has expanded to include the Kenora District to mark its 10th anniversary.
The program, which began in 2003, promotes safety and distributes glowsticks to local schools and pre-school programs to ensure trick-or-treaters are visible to motorists.
“We wanted to do something a little different for the 10th year,” noted Betty Anne Johnson, who helped organize the program here, along with community partners, such as the OPP and Treaty #3 Police.
The Dryden Police Service also was a community partner.
“We’re very happy to be able to provide this program across both districts,” Johnson remarked.
Many of the glowsticks will be picked up by principals, who will take them back to their respective schools and ensure they are handed out on Oct. 31, if possible.
Students also will receive a pamphlet, which includes a safety checklist.
Johnson said they received plenty of support from sponsors in Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Kenora, and Fort Frances, as well as from the staff of Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services.
“The staff has been phenomenal,” she enthused. “In each office, we’ve had people bagging and delivering glowsticks, and printing and folding pamphlets.”
A total of 9,500 glowsticks were purchased for students and pre-schoolers in the two districts, with 4,000 for those here in Rainy River District.
“Our list doubled this year,” Johnson noted, saying the “Project Safe Hallowe’en” committee was able to expand the program due to the community partners, sponsors, and fundraising.
And in Fort Frances, Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child & Family Services also received $3,650 from the Moffat Family Fund to help with the project.
“We start fundraising and planning in the spring,” Johnson said, although adding if they want the project to continue within both districts, they’ll likely be planning year-round.
“We just want kids to have a fun, safe Hallowe’en,” she reasoned.
The committee also will be targeting intermediate students in Fort Frances by holding a dance for them on Oct. 31 from 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
The dance will be held at Robert Moore School, with students from St. Francis and J.W. Walker being bused there.
“It’s a positive way to get out the message of safety to students at that critical age,” Johnson remarked.
“It will be supervised and a safe Hallowe’en activity for them.”
The dance will include a DJ, decorations, and prizes.
Johnson said moving forward, the committee will be looking for ways to fundraise for the project.
Suggestions or ideas are welcome.
For more information about “Project Safe Hallowe’en,” call 274-1065 ext. 228.
