Wetaskiwin Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is continuing to make ribbons for their ribbon campaign to show support for the individuals, family, and friends impacted by the tragic Thanksgiving weekend accident that claimed the lives of two Wetaskiwin high school students.
After seeing a post on the Mayor Tyler Gandam Facebook page suggesting that a ribbon campaign be created for the community to show their support for those impacted by the accident, Wetaskiwin FCSS took up the helm.
Because all five teens in the accident were students at Wetaskiwin Composite High School the ribbons are burgundy and gold to match the school colours.
With the help of community members Wetaskiwin FCSS has put together and distributed roughly 1, 500 ribbons. Recently more ribbons were just secured after Wetaskiwin FCSS ran out from popular demand. They state that there are currently 175 ribbons ready to go and they will order supplies if necessary to make more.
The ribbons are free of cost as they are a symbol for community support around those impacted by the accident.
“We never considered charging for the ribbons as we saw this more as a way to bring the community together during a time of loss and grief,” says Misty Griffith, Executive Director Wetaskiwin Family and Community Support Services, and Cindy Plant, Community Development Coordinator.
“Our natural instinct is to want to help those who are hurting but often we don’t know how. The ribbon campaign was to show that although we may not know how to help, we can show love, compassion, and empathy.”
Wetaskiwin FCSS say that they have heard from some community members who have been directly impacted by the accident and have distributed ribbons to them.
“We received a request from a family member of one of the boys who wanted to have some available for his service and we were happy to deliver them.”
“We also delivered ribbons to the Millet Fire Department upon request as they had attended the accident scene. We have had calls and messages asking for more ribbons.”
To get a ribbon you can contact Wetaskiwin FCSS at 877-768-7656 or fcsswetaskiwin@gmail.com to arrange for pick up.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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