The Community
Press Telling your story
Volume 112, Issue 40
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
$1 Including GST
Local RCMP members helping Birthday Wishes come true Killam RCMP Detachment members (from left) Cst. Jacob Ott, Cst. Travis Norton, Corp. Trent Cleveland, and Cst. Jake Rains dropped by Walker Thomas’s (front) house on Friday, April 3, to wish him a happy birthday. This is the first visit of a new detachment initiative that will see members make at least one visit a week to a child aged four through 10 having a birthday during COVID-19’s time of social distancing. The ‘Press also produced a video of the event, available on Youtube and Facebook, which garnered tens of thousands of views and hundreds of shares over the weekend. ERIC ANDERSON PHOTO
Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Killam RCMP Detachment Acting Commander Trent Cleveland celebrated his son’s sixth birthday last week, and it occurred to him that his son wasn’t the only child whose birthday has been affected by COVID-19. “I was thinking for kids that are stuck at home for their birthdays that we (RCMP) can drive to their house and sing them Happy Birthday over the megaphone,” Cleveland said. Enter Flagstaff Victim Services Coordinator Noreen Metz, “What an awesome idea!” she said. Metz quickly put out a call for Flagstaff-area children between four and 10 having a birthday. Amana Plett saw Metz’s social media query, and decided to put her son Walker’s name up, as he was having a birthday on Friday, April 3. “He was supposed to go to my dad’s house and then go to a Flames game at the Saddledome,” she says, “but all that got cancelled with COVID-19.” Metz moved quickly, pulling everyone together and making arrangements for the surprise visit to happen the next day.
Walker, stuck at home on his eighth birthday, had no idea what was in store for him. Around 10 a.m. Plett got Walker to come stand outside the house, located in the rural countryside, and just minutes later, sirens could be heard in the distance. Three RCMP vehicles pulled into the yard, and four members got out of the vehicle, to Walker’s amazement. Cleveland called out, “Happy Birthday, Walker!” Then Constable Jacob Ott, Constable Jake Rains, and Cst. Travis Norton stepped forward and Norton, who was wearing his red serge uniform, pulled out a giant sign that said, “Happy 8th Birthday, Walker!” All four RCMP members then sang “Happy Birthday” to the very happy boy through their megaphones. “It really made Walker’s birthday,” says Plett. “Not too many kids get this opportunity, and he knows it was maybe a once-in-a-lifetime thing that just happened!” She says Walker was completely in the dark about what was going to happen, and he was very surprised and touched by the local members’ gesture.
“He got on the phone to his grandparents right afterwards to tell them,” she says. A video of the whole event went on The Community Press’ Facebook and Youtube in the early afternoon, and by Monday morning had reached 47,000+ people, and was still getting shares and comments. Cleveland said the RCMP Alberta K Division thought it was awesome, too, and shared it on their social media. Birthday greetings to Walker followed with many of the shares, with one all the way from Texas, with positive reactions from those who saw the video. Many voiced their praise and appreciation to the RCMP for
reaching out to the community in such a positive way during such a difficult time. The Killam RCMP members are still gathering names for other children ages four through 10 with April birthdays, and will draw a name at least once per week. Cleveland says that they may do more than one visit per week if time and caseloads permit. One local business, Main Street Medley in Alliance, has donated a reuseable birthday sign to the Detachment for members to carry on their visits. For any Flagstaff County and Amisk resident (all served by the Killam RCMP Detachment) who wants to enter a child who
is having a birthday, just message Flagstaff Victim Services through their Facebook page, or email them at Flagstaffvsu@gmail.com with the child’s name, age, birthday, and town, as well as parents’ name and contact information to arrange a visit. RCMP members found time on Monday, April 6, to pay a second visit, this time to birthday girl Langsten, who was celebrating her 10th birthday from her home in Killam. Cst. Ott and Cst. Rains were joined by Cst. David Boisvert-Cormier in singing Happy Birthday. Cleveland will hold a weekly draw for all of April, and may extend after that, depending on the situation.
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
RCMP were able to slip away from the office on Monday for a quick visit to Langsten on her 10th birthday.
Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Giving businesses a voice during COVID-19 Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Statistics Canada announced today that they had teamed up to provide time-sensitive data about what businesses are going through amid COVID19, and what plans they have towards eventual recovery. The survey is called the Canadian Survey of Business Conditions (CSBC) and the two organizations feel it has the potential to be one of the largest crowd-sourced business intelligence surveys in Canadian history. The survey is designed to examine issues like the impact of COVID-19 has had on businesses, how they’ve adapted to the situation, and the challenges they are facing, now and into the future. “Credible, reliable data is the foundation for sound decision making by business leaders, market analysts, and policy makers. “During a crisis like
COVID-19, relevant and timely data is mission critical, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Statistics Canada to leverage our network of 200,000 businesses. “The survey will be an invaluable tool for government to understand what businesses are going through during the shutdown, but also going forward as we recover and return to growth,” said Jackie King, COO of the Canadian Chamber. "The collaboration between Statistics Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is innovative and ambitious. It is one of the largest crowdsourced surveys in the agency's 100-year history,” said Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada. “The results of this survey will provide the crucial insights needed right now to navigate the way forward for Canadian businesses and governments in addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The Canadian Chamber is
also working with the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters to bring their memberships to the survey. “"We are calling on every business to participate in this survey, today and going forward. “We do not make this request lightly, we know this is a very difficult time for business owners and entrepreneurs. “The CSBC is how we bring your voice into the data that will shape policy decisions going forward. “A few minutes of your time will help decision makers pinpoint what businesses like yours really need," added King. The link to the survey is printed below in the box. You do not have to be a member of a Chamber of Commerce to take part. This questionnaire should be completed by the owner or senior manager of the business.
https://surveys-enquetes.statcan.gc.ca/formformulaire/q/en/eqgsc50ff503c4ac4b18ab55530e6b4fcd45/p0
Phase two progress at Killam Campus of Caring
Work at the Killam Campus of Caring site over the last few months has included demolition of the previous long-term care area, electrical rough-ins and framing. drywall, mud and painting are slated to begin in April. Covenant Health says, “Resident safety remains our top priority as this project continues to advance. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Covenant Health and Chandos are taking extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of our staff, residents, and visitors. This includes having separate entrances for construction workers and ensuring strict compliance with Alberta Health Services and Government of Alberta recommendations.”
The Community Press, Wednesday, April 8, 2020 - Page 13
Page 14 - The Community Press, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Even with social distancing, counselling services continue to help Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Flagstaff Family and Community Services (FFCS) is offering counselling sessions via telephone during this time of social distancing. Karen Bovencamp-Manning, FFCS Counsellor, continues to go to her office daily, and is connecting to residents who are open to the service via telephone instead of face-to-face sessions. She says she’s open to the possibility of utilizing video conferencing, but adds, “Due to confidentiality and the Privacy Act, we would have do to some research to ensure that it is a safe and abiding method.” So at the moment, it’s telephone only for the future.
Currently all it takes to talk to Bovencamp-Manning is to call FFCS and leave a message, she will then contact clients to book an appointment. “Telephone counselling is not quite the same as in person, of course; however, due to the unprecedented times we must utilize diverse methods to ensure that access is still available.” She says the majority of her existing clients are on board with the change, and say they are still finding they benefit from the interaction. “There are, of course, a few who dislike this method and prefer the face-to-face interaction.” Bovencamp-Manning says COVID-19 is weighing heavily on everyone’s mind. “This is a global pandemic and affects everyone’s life in some aspect. “It can induce anxiety and fear as it is
unknown, and can foster feelings of fear and paranoia.” She says it can often leave people with a feeling of uncertainty and can highlight the reality of our own mortality, and that of those we love. “The tools used to fight this pandemic such as self isolating, social distancing, and self quarantine are imperative, but can also induce feelings of loneliness and restlessness, while reinforcing feelings of anxiety and fear. “This is all very normal. All serve a purpose to keep us alive and well. “The trick is to ensure that these overwhelming feelings do not take over. “Easier said than done, absolutely.” So what helps? She says that recognizing that feelings of anxiety, fear, loneliness are there for a reason. “What is it trying to tell you? Its purpose is to keep you safe and healthy. Acknowledge the message, and remember that this time in our world and our lives is very different from our normal.” This can be extremely difficult; talk to a friend, Facetime, write it down, or just simply sit with that fact. “Acknowledgement goes a lot further than pushing it away.” Bovencamp-Manning says we aren’t meant to be completely free of anxiety, that it serves a very important purpose in our lives. “The trick is to ensure that it does not overtake and control every aspect. “There is no normal that exists for
anyone without some kind of anxiety, it’s just not how we are built.” She says we should each give ourselves some grace, and allow some breathing room in the expectations of what life/work/play/relationships “should” look like. “Remember that these are unprecedented and extraordinary times, as such, life as we know it will look different for a bit. That is okay. “Give yourself and those around you permission to be human. “Adjust and allow for imperfections and remember that every single person (big and small) is feeling it, too. “Give extra patience, compassion, and love to yourself and those around you. “This, too, shall pass. You are not alone in this.” Bovencamp-Manning suggests finding things that make you feel happy, or calm; that make you feel better. “Find one thing a day that brings you peace or joy, and continue to do such, even if it’s only for a few minutes.” She says this might mean a scaleddown version of activities you enjoy, acknowledging that it is hard and note quite the same. “Get creative! Find the essence of what it is that bring you joy and rework it into something that is applicable and do-able within your current situation.” Bovencamp-Manning says that if See COUNSELLING P22