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a message to the community

Aspire forced to cancel annual Evening of Decadent Dessert

Apr 4, 2020 | 2:25 PM

To our community,

Aspire’s building in downtown Red Deer is quiet right now, as preschool classes, assessments and consultations are halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We miss seeing our special kiddos every day! Aspire Staff are working remotely from home, adapting in creative ways to deliver services and support safely online, or by distance, to children and families.

On Monday, March 30, the Board of Directors met virtually and made the very emotional decision to cancel Evening of Decadent Dessert 2020. This much-loved event will not go ahead in the same event format as it has for the past 25 years.

With Albertans prohibited from attending gatherings of more than 15 people, and continuing to observe 2 metres of physical distancing, the decision is out of Aspire’s control. Evening of Decadent Dessert is most important to Aspire’s annual revenue – $139,520 raised in 2019. These funds are vital to our mission of providing hope to children with special needs and their families in Red Deer and central Alberta.

The Board of Directors challenged us to go online with an auction! We are exploring this different format right now. Please stay tuned for details on our website and social media.

Many of you are asking what you can do to help.

Thank you; working together is at the heart of Aspire, and though we are physically apart, people connected to this place are always inspired to pull together.

Buy Children’s Raffle tickets for $5 each. The sponsors of this annual raffle make it possible for all funds to go directly back to the children we serve at Aspire. Raffle tickets are available online at: www.aspirespecialneeds.ca/events/raffle Or please call 403-340-2606 to purchase over the phone.

Make an online donation at https://aspirespecialneeds.ca/get-involved/donate or call, or mail in a gift.

Please know that Aspire is also doing our part to immediately reduce expenses, in order to be good stewards of your resources. Thank you so very much for your support of the children with special needs served at Aspire every day.

Stay safe and stay healthy.

Michelle Sluchinski
Executive Director