As promised on my Instagram stories, here is all the info on helping one of my favourite organizations The OLQP North Ranch. Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch Northern Alberta (OLQP North Ranch) is a registered nonprofit charity that partners with agencies throughout Edmonton area to provide a unique, enriching camp experience to thousands of children each year who require financial, emotional or social support. Contrary to the sound of their name, they are a non-religious charity and do not offer any faith based programming. Along with programming, they connect their clients with everyday necessities throughout the year: clothing, toys, household items, etc.

Find them socially on Instagram & Twitter at @OLQPNorthRanch and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OLQPNorthRanch

If you have time to give, here’s what you need to know: 

They are sending out a call for Volunteers, they need Approximately 300 volunteers for the 9th Annual Children’s Christmas Party to be a success. They are looking for Edmontonians that are willing to donate their time & talents prepping for the event or volunteering at the event itself.

The Eventbrite link for the 2nd gift wrapping event at the Ranch.
Saturday November 18th:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/olqp-ranch-christmas-gift-wrapping-2-tickets-39126981856

Secondly the Eventbrite link for the Party on Saturday November 25th, 2017
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/olqp-northern-alberta-annual-christmas-party-volunteers-tickets-39052684631

If you have monetary or item donations, here’s how you can help:

As well, you can understand the need in the city is great right now and their charity is still in desperate need of donations of:
200 pairs of brand new teen winter hats/gloves
150 winter toques for 12-16 yr old kids
New winter coats for teens
Stuffed Toy Drive – Edmontonians can drop off New & Gently Used Stuffed Animals at Welsh’s Cowtown (13715 Manning Drive – Edmonton), Eat Clean Healthy Grill & Juice Bar St. Albert (3500 Tudor Glen – St. Albert) or at the Ranch Office during business hours of 8:30am-5pm (903 153 Ave NE)

Year round they accept donations of gently used clothing for their Trading Post store. It is located at 903 153 Ave NE. The Trading Post donation hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm but please  call ahead, it is volunteer operated.  780.475.7259  (Property is gated)

If you need any additional information please contact Kathy below: Continue reading →

I struggled today watching the IG stories of other mom’s sending off their little one’s to the first day of school because today Alastair didn’t go… It’s not that he didn’t want to, or that we didn’t register him or didn’t prepare him for the big independence day. Today I got told the Community League of Newton in Edmonton would be dissolving their preschool program, leaving me high and dry. I think what frustrates me the most, the fact that there was no forewarning and they waited this long to announce the news. Yes folks, I just got to hear his program wouldn’t be running on the day he should have been starting. It’s not that there are not enough kids registered either. Apparently, it comes down to “staffing” issues.

Now I know some of you are rolling your eyes right now. It’s just preschool right? Wrong! For me, working on this blog from home Alastair hasn’t been to daycare. He hasn’t formed many little kid relationships. Nor has he had the opportunity to get learning ready, have structured time, or get to experience group activities. I’m devastated. I tried to do everything in my power. Registered him the moment that began in March of this year, paid his deposit, started having conversations preparing him for his new classroom. Just to have it cancelled on it’s start date when almost all our local programs are full or stopped taking registrations months ago is brutal.

I haven’t had the heart to tell him yet… instead we lined up his new clothes and shoes from West Coast Kids. Gabbed about how great it’s going to be… and told him, “that Mommy was wrong about the start day…” For now, I’m going to live that little white lie while I hustle for him to try my best to fix this. So like most moms, today was a teary one. It just wasn’t for the reasons I thought it was going to be. Instead I had a good cry in private because I let him down and I got to see that excitement fade in his eyes when I told him we were’t going today.

I was going to tell you all about all the sweet shoes he found. Take first day photos and do a little Q&A with him. I thought about not sharing this, since I feel so defeated. Like I let him down. But it’s real and sometimes we all need a little real life in the blogging world too. Because it isn’t always rainbows and butterflies… sometimes it just plain sucks.

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