Tickets are now on sale for a new fundraiser to help children and youth who are victims or witnesses of abuse.
The inaugural Alisa’s Wish Hearts and Teacups Fundraiser will be a high tea event taking place the weekend before Mother’s Day and money raised will be going to the Alisa’s Wish Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, a program of Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services that helps all children and youth in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie First Nation who have experienced or witnessed physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
The program provides a safe place for children and youth up to 18-years-old, who are victims or witnesses of abuse to tell their stories to police, or Crown council, in a warm and welcoming environment, rather than having to go to the RCMP detachment or face the accused in court.
In January alone, 14 children went through and accessed the services at Alisa’s Wish, said Sandi Temple founder and organizer of the new high tea fundraiser.
Alisa is a a child abuse survivor who not only had to endure the suffering of abuse, but also the emotional trauma that followed when accessing the disconnected support services available at the time.
“Alisa’s Wish is just a way where young people can come, where they can feel safe, and be examined, maybe by the RCMP or other interviewers and not feel exposed to like a hospital situation or over at the RCMP office,” explained Dr. Ursula Luitingh, who is helping Temple organize the event.
“All the resources they need comes to them,” added Temple.
There are two forensic interview rooms, a monitoring room where cameras are discreetly placed for the RCMP and other agencies to be able to watch and listen to an interview, and a remote testimony room where Crown council can meet with the child or youth, along with Victim Services workers.
The centre also provides wraparound services to victims and their non-offending family members.
Kristy Rogge, executive director of Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services, expressed how grateful her team is to the dedicated community members who have come together to host the Alisa’s Wish Hearts and Teacups Fundraiser.
“Third-party events like this are a powerful reflection of the compassion and generosity that define our community. When individuals step forward to organize, sponsor, attend, and donate, they are helping ensure that children and youth impacted by abuse receive the stability, advocacy, and care they deserve,” said Rogge.
The Hearts and Teacups fundraiser will be taking the place of the Strut Your Stuff fundraiser, also founded by Temple, which raised more than $103,000 for Alisa’s Wish since 2018.
Cindy-Lea Stephenson, owner of T’s Once Upon a Tea Leaf, with the help of her daughter, Taryn Stephenson Thoews, will be creating a new, unique tea blend of tea for the special event.
As well, there will be some tea infused cocktails at the bar.
There will be a live and silent auction with items like gift baskets from local pet stores and boutique stores, gift cards from local vendors, and much more.
Two sets of flower pots have been donated to the auction table, along with some baskets with glassware and cocktail mixes have also been donated
There will be live music and entertainment, and a 50/50.
Treena Innes will be the emcee, and Maple Ridge Florist is providing the flowers.
Anita Alberto is donating her time to do the pictures at the event, and Jesse Sidhu is providing his DJ services.
Rogge noted that Alisa’s Wish is a safe, child-focused space where young people and their families can access coordinated supports during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Every child who goes through Alisa’s Wish receives a stuffed animal and a quilt, donated to Alisa’s Wish by the Ridge Meadows Quilters Guild and also Legacy Quilters.
Guests at the fundraiser will also be able to purchase a weighted stuffed toy to give to a child needing the services at Alisa’s Wish.
“The funds raised through this event directly strengthen that work and help us continue delivering essential services across our community,” said Rogge, adding that she is, “deeply thankful to everyone involved for pouring kindness into every cup and for standing alongside us in support of children and youth who need it most.”
Fundraising for Alisa’s Wish is very near to Temple’s heart. She received the Compassionate Spirit Award, given to her by Community Services, along with a special plaque in the shape of a butterfly to honour her for her fundraising efforts over the years.
Temple noted that her outlook on life changed when she had children and then grandchildren.
When you sit around the table and listen to the stories of the children who go through Alisa’s Wish, “you wonder why people do what they do to the innocent children in the world,” she said.
“We’re very fortunate that we have Alisa’s Wish. But, it’s very sad that we need Alisa’s Wish,” she added.
Alisa’s Wish Hearts and Teacups Fundraiser takes place Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m. at Meadows Gardens Golf Course, in Pitt Meadows.
Tickets are $110 each.
To purchase a ticket or donate to the event call Sandi Temple at 236-777-3191 or email: stemple@mrpmcs.ca.