CARE event highlights community organizations in Lac La Biche

LAC LA BICHE - Various community service and sporting groups, along with religious organizations in the Lac La Biche area, were showcased for the public to see at the annual Community Awareness and Registration Night (CARE). The event took place inside of...

LAC LA BICHE - Various community service and sporting groups, along with religious organizations in the Lac La Biche area, were showcased for the public to see at the annual Community Awareness and Registration Night (CARE). The event took place inside of the Bold Centre during the evening of June 24. People walked around checking out exhibits.

The event also featured a meal served by volunteers. According to MacKenzie Zilinski, a communications and partnerships officer with Lac La Biche County, CARE is an annual event the County hosts to bring awareness to residents as well as new members of the community. “The event includes community groups and often sporting groups as well.

The County wants the community to come together to hear what each group offers and may strike an interest for someone to be involved in the many groups we have,” Zilinski explained. Through the CARE event, participating groups are given an opportunity to showcase what they offer throughout the year. “It is their time to share with the community,” she added.

During this year’s CARE night, Jessica Giesbrecht was representing the Lac La Biche-based company Healix Healthcare and Mental Health, which offers virtual and in-person therapy sessions. Hosting the awareness night, according to Giesbrecht, is very beneficial for the community. “I think awareness for people in our community is huge...sometimes we live in silos, and this gives us an opportunity to all work together and become more collaborative,” she stated.

“I think it’s a great way to get to know services in the community.” People who were interested in learning about the work done by Healthy Waters Lac La Biche could also do so at the event. Julie Hink, a member of the local environmental organization, was on hand to answer questions.

Hink talked about the significance of the CARE event. “It opens our eyes to how much, really, there is in this community...We actually have a lot of good stuff happening in this town, and I think we need to appreciate that,” she stated, adding the event has been helpful in promoting Healthy Waters and the group always manages to attract new members each year. KidSport Lac La Biche was also represented at the CARE event, and Dave Phillips, who serves as the fundraising coordinator for the local service organization, worked at a table set up inside the Bold Centre speaking with the public.

“The CARE event is good because we have exposure to a different dynamic of people,” Phillips said. “Some people will come to here with a specific interest, and they’ll check out everything.”