By: Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau
The “It’s All About the Kid’s” Day that was hosted by Bullying Enns and UBAKA (Urban Bulldogs Against Kid Abuse) was an incredible event to attend.
Joy, absolute joy, is what was expressed on pretty much every kid’s face.
The hamlet of Cynthia has a population of 50.
Mitch’s Campground and RV Park is where the event was held.
They have a small motel, a pub called the Cyn City Saloon, and a few other small businesses, and that’s about all.
What the community lacks in size, it makes up for in heart.
The volunteers and sponsors of the day worked their hearts and souls out to give the hundreds of kids who came out a great day. There was a silent auction both outside and in the pub.
There were lawn games, a bouncy castle, face painting, motorcycle rides, firefighter gear and job demonstrations, a by-donation BBQ … and the DUNK TANK!
I have no idea who had more fun: the adults and the kids throwing the balls or the volunteers making sure the dunk tank victims got dunked – appropriately!
It was an incredible and inspiring day that saw Bullying Enns and UBAKA walk away with over $17K in donations with which to further the programs they already offer. And, in the case of Bullying Enns, it allowed them to host a BBQ for all.
All of the kids they have given rides and support to while also supplying them with special backpacks for school.
Steve Enns and his non-profit board are also looking to the future and what kinds of other programs they might be able to offer to end/ prevent bullying.
Like every non-profit and every event hosted, without the sponsors, these things wouldn’t be possible.
Bullying Enns and UBAKA would like to thank: Mitch’s Cynthia Campground and RV Park, Can City Saloon, Secure Energy, Steel Horses Photography, the Drayton Valley Fire Department, M&M Meats, the MLA Mark Smith, Hydro Vacuum Services and so many, many more sponsors and supporters. It took a ton of volunteers, and so many businesses that donated to the silent auctions, the bouncy castle, and the DJ services.
But when you look at the results, when you see these children feeling confident, comfortable and strong, when you see those faces and the smiles, you know it was more than worth it.
IT WAS AMAZING and so needed.
This event was filmed for TV so start looking on YouTube on the Ride Like a Local Channel in late November for the three segments that make up the episode to begin airing! If you are on EastLink TV look under Community TV in November….
To support Bullying Enns or UBAKA, find them on Facebook.
If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.
