What would happen if you lost all your keys? Would you panic? What do you think happens when a child goes missing? Our son Shawn had an argument with us and took off by 9 p.m. When he should have been home and wasn’t, we did panic. We called the police and we continued to look for him until midnight. Then someone asked if we had looked for him in the house. We hadn’t, but there he was in the house in his bedroom sleeping. That is why,when the opportunity came for me to volunteer for Child Find, I did. Volunteering it led to employment for me. This is why I am sharing this information with you.
Saskatchewan officially proclaimed May 2016 as Missing Children’s Month. This year marks the 25th annual green ribbon campaign by Child Find Saskatchewan, which includes National Missing Children’s Day on May 25.
The green ribbon is recognized as a symbol to remember missing children and to seek their safe return. It is also used as an expression of our thoughts for missing children, their families and friends.
The concept of the Green Ribbon of Hope was originated by the students and faculty of Holy Cross Secondary School in St. Catharine’s, Ont. following the abduction and subsequent murder of one of their students, Kristen French. In memory of this brutal crime, the students and faculty directed their idea for the green ribbon be used exclusively by Child Find Canada as an avenue to increase national public awareness and to raise funds to support education and search programs for missing children. The school clearly specified the Green Ribbon be used nationally.
Accordingly, Child Find Canada, after trade marking the program, conducted campaigns with national corporations. Every year, Child Find Saskatchewan holds the Green Ribbon of Hope Campaign. It begins May 1and continues throughout the month of May. The aim is to increase public awareness about National Missing Children’s Day and the missing children issue in Canada.
During the month of May, community members and MPs are asked to show their support for and concern about the missing children’s issue by prominently wearing the green ribbon. Proceeds generated by the green ribbon campaign will enable Child Find Saskatchewan to continue their mandate of assisting in the search process for missing children and the education of children and adults about abduction.
This year, Child Find Saskatchewan will be hosting a fundraising breakfast Wednesday, May 25 a the Hilton Garden Inn in Saskatoon. The guest speakers are father and daughter Jim and Melissa Engdahl, who will share their incredible story of a covert operation to rescue Mel’s two daughters from worn-torn Lebanon where they were taken by their father.
Child Find Saskatchewan is the provincial charitable organization that educates and advocates for the protection and rights of children and youth. Child Find promotes awareness of the issues relating to missing children. We believe a missing child is everyone’s responsibility and that all children have a right to be safe.
Before we moved to Maymont, I was the case worker for Child Find Saskatchewan. Believe me it wasn’t the easiest job to do, but someone has to do it. I registered Katelyn Noble, who went missing from the Radisson area. I stay in contact with her mom Leona. They searched for Katelyn again this year, but I didn’t get a chance to meet with her mom.
Child Find Saskatchewan is always looking for donations to help the service function and also volunteers to help with fundraisers. You could help out either way, just call Child Find at 1-800-513-3463.
