by Diana Festejo | Jun 3, 2023 | Current Fund Raisers, News & Events
The Blair James Memorial Golf Tournament in support of First Responder mental health (Legacy Place Society) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (Edmonton) will be held August 24, 2023. Please join us at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club. https://derrickclub.com
Golfer registration details coming soon.
Contact Emily at emily@kmgevents.ca to secure your golfer registration and for sponsorship opportunities. Website details see teeitupformentalhealth.ca
IN MEMORY OF BLAIR MICHAEL PHILLIP JAMES (AUGUST 11, 1982 – MAY 18, 2020)
A MESSAGE FROM THE JAMES FAMILY – Blair was such a great guy! Anyone who knew him would tell you that very thing. He genuinely loved the outdoors, whether out camping with his family or just sitting by a bonfire in his backyard. He also loved his toys – namely motocross bikes, quads and sleds. Blair will always be remembered for the exceptional man he was: his wonderfully dry sense of humour; his brilliant mind; his many gifts and talents; his tender heart; his amazing hugs and beautiful smile! He was a wonderful husband and daddy, an amazing brother, a cherished son and a steadfast friend to so many. Left behind when Blair passed was his wife Chantel and his 2 young children, Zoey and Ryker (6 and 3 at the time).
This tournament started as a memorial for Blair and to support Blair’s children. It will always be in memorium of Blair but our goal is to bring awareness to mental health and suicide and raise much needed funds for programs and services supporting those in need.
This year we are honouring and supporting First Responders in our community. Talking about suicide and mental health is extremely difficult. That stigma needs to end! If you or anyone you know, are struggling with battles of your own, please talk to someone. Find someone you can lean on and trust and share with them what you’re feeling. Your life matters! You are important! Your ‘people’ love you and need you in their life.
Every life is worth the fight.
by Tim Kerney | May 7, 2023 | Current Fund Raisers, News & Events
In response to an incredible success of their launch in 2021, Alberta breweries are banding together again in 2023 for a special beer in support of first responders.
“First Call was inspired last year,” said Shaun Caron, general manager of Campio Brewing in Edmonton.
“Obviously, throughout the pandemic, a lot of industries, a lot of different groups, people working, went through a lot of hardship. Health-care (workers) and first responders probably had one of the hardest times.”
Eight companies joined forces to come up with a way to help them out and First Call was born.
“Since we are a brewing company, a really easy was for us is to make a really good beer. The First Call name came from… when you’re usually call a first responder, it’s the first call you’re making on the worst day of your life. It’s paying homage to those people who are on the front lines helping us out when we need it.”
First Call is a team effort from Campio, Last Best Brewing Distilling, Jasper Brewing, Banff Ave Brewing, Canada Malting, Country Mault, Precision Labelling and Last Spike Brewing.
First call is described as an enjoyable, “approachable IPA” with flavours of grapefruit, tangerine and lime.
One dollar from each draft and each four-pack sold in house is donated to a charity or group that supports first responders.
Legacy Place Society is a chosen registered charity that supports the families and individuals of law enforcement, emergency medical/fire services, 911 dispatch, Veterans and Military Personnel. Their work includes provision of a confidential help phone line that facilitates connections to professional and peer support groups. Legacy Place operates 3 “home away from home” houses that provide safe and confidential transitional housing for their well-being, security and access to professional support as they recover from a broad range of serious difficulties.
Legacy Place also increases knowledge, reduce stigma and enable networking by organizing and facilitating education partnerships, mental wellness and suicide awareness workshops/conferences.
First Call is available at the four brew pups on draft and in cans and is also being distributed to several liquor stores across Canada.
by Diana Festejo | Mar 17, 2023 | Current Fund Raisers, News & Events
The 2nd Annual Battle for the Badges Charity Hockey Game will take place in Spruce Grove on March 22, 2023. The U18AA PAC Saints will face off against a team comprised of Parkland RCMP officers and Spruce Grove Fire Department SGFD firefighters to raise funds and awareness for mental health supports for our first responders.
Mental health in general is a rising concern and a heavy topic in many people’s lives – especially these past few years. From the organizer, Miles Valiquette a local RCMP “First responders typically put on this hat and seem like we all have it together. We go out, face the fire and help others, all while facing our own challenges on a daily basis as well. We all struggle in our own ways, and we all know people that struggle. I love the program that Legacy Place Society has in place, and if this event can help raise awareness for the struggles that first responders go through, while support an organization that is in place to assist in those struggles, then I consider it an overall win”.
“Mental health is no joke, and I hope people see that were all in this together. I’ve lost friends to mental health problems, and I see others that battle it every day. Together we can bring light to a dark situation in this world right now.“ – Miles Valiquette.
All proceeds from this event are for Legacy Place Society, an Alberta-based organization providing confidential peer support and user-friendly resources to first responders and military personnel. Legacy Place Society exists to build family resiliency and legacies to withstand the unique challenges faced by law enforcement, emergency medical/fire services, 911 dispatchers, Veterans and military personnel. The very nature of daily work within the first responder professions can create emotional and physical havoc and the vicarious trauma, PTSD, operational or occupational stress injuries and the psychological and physiological demands of the profession can become major stressors on the individual and their family.
Legacy Place Society is a registered charity that promotes a shared responsibility approach that encourages the individuals and their families to steer themselves through the everyday adversity, reframe the difficult realities of the profession and to encourage daily behaviors that are conducive to recharge and re-engage with themselves, their families and workplace. What defines us is how our work is done as we act as a bridge of possibilities between the individual, their place of work and their families. For additional information on Legacy Place Society please visit: www.legacyplacesociety.com or reach out to Executive Director, Diana Festejo at diana.festejo@legacyplacesociety.com | (403) 201-9945
EVENT INFO:
March 22, 2023 – Grant Fuhr Arena – Doors open at 5:30 PM, Puck Drop at 6:00 PM
This is a free event with donations accepted at the door. A 50/50 (AGLC# 635320) and Raffle (AGLC# 635589) and a draw for GIFT OF FLIGHT WEST JET (AGLC# 637220) will help to raise funds for this most important cause. Come out and fill the stands for our first responders’ mental health. All are welcome!
Companies or individuals interested in supporting this initiative through sponsorship are encouraged to contact Andrea Hunter at the contact information below or connect with the organizers by visiting the Battle for the Badges Facebook page. Financial Donations are tax receipted including possible gift in-kind donations.
SPONSORSHIP: Andrea Hunter Akhunter003@gmail.com | (780) 995-2447 Battle for the Badges, Organizing Committee
MEDIA: Miles Valiquette Mvaliquette9@gmail.com | (780) 686-1693 Battle for the Badges, Founder
LEGACY PLACE SOCIETY: Diana Festejo Diana.festejo@legacyplacesociety.com
EVENT UPDATE:
by Diana Festejo | Mar 2, 2023 | Current Fund Raisers
DOUGHNATION DAY
Our 3rd annual Doughnation Day campaign is back, and we’re fundraising for over 100 charities across the nation. From March 1 to April 1, visit a bakery or donate below to support a local charity in your community.
Join us on Doughnation Day, Saturday, April 1st and show your support by enjoying some fresh-baked hot cross buns. $2 from every 6-pack of hot cross buns sold will also be donated to the same charity that your local bakery has selected to partner with. Giving back has never tasted so good!
COBS Bread located at 210-20 Longview Common, Calgary AB has once again chosen Legacy Place Society as their charity of choice to support for DOUGHNATION DAY. Follow the link to donate on line. Doughnation Day – COBS Bread
by Diana Festejo | Sep 6, 2022 | Current Fund Raisers, News & Events
Join us in raising awareness to PTSD in law enforcement, emergency medical/fire services, 911 dispatch, veterans and military personnel.
About this event
If you’re not available to walk during this 24 hr time period of 10am Oct 1 – 10am Oct 2 that’s okay. Still register and pick some time over the next few weeks and complete a distance in a location of your choice and consider that to be your contribution.
We all know someone who struggles with trauma, compassion fatigue or pain associated to their career as a first responder. No one should suffer or walk alone. We find strength in our own grit, tenacity and perseverance but sometimes there’s days and situations we need to lean on colleagues, friends and professional supports.
The psychological and physical impact due to the nature of our careers is astounding. It’s taking lives and crushing the spirits of soul. We want individuals to step up and receive the help they need. To stop the stigma in asking for help. To find restoration of one’s health and that of the first responder at large.
Walk start is Oct 1 at 10:00am and ends Oct 2 at noon (or after breakfast) The goal is to walk 100 km or a portion that works for you.
Agenda:
09:00 meet at Tofield Health Centre/Beaver EMS Parking lot if you want to car pool. Otherwise we meet at Viking EMS Base for breakfast and ride to Kinsella. Walking starts at 10:00am. The walk will end at Beaver EMS at the Tofield EMS Base.
All donations received will contribute to the family in memory of our Advanced Care Paramedic colleague Marc Moebis and mental wellness initiatives hosted by Legacy Place Society.
To register click register now.https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/24-hr-no-one-walks-alone-fundraiser-for-first-responders-registration-410604096907
To buy a shirt – bring $25 to the walk. Saphire Blue is the shirt color for 2022.
Contact:
Dale Bayliss (walk organizer 780-781-9111) or Diana Festejo (Legacy Place 403-813-8019)
This year we are honouring and supporting First Responders in our community. Talking about suicide and mental health is extremely difficult. That stigma needs to end! If you or anyone you know, are struggling with battles of your own, please talk to someone. Find someone you can lean on and trust and share with them what you’re feeling. Your life matters! You are important! Your ‘people’ love you and need you in their life. 
