Centre of Hope Fort McMurray, Alberta

Farewell…

Fund Development — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:26:33 +0000

For anyone who knows me, it is no surprise that the Centre of Hope is very near and dear to my heart. From the moment I walked in the doors of that “little building on Franklin Avenue” almost seven years ago, my life has never been the same. I fell head over heels in love with the mission and values of the agency, and with the amazing work that it did in the community. Throughout the years I had remained a strong supporter and friend of the Centre, until 2 ½ years ago when the opportunity presented to serve as the Executive Director of the agency. With much eagerness and a servant heart, my little family and I made the move from Strathmore, AB to Fort McMurray to begin the next exciting chapter of our lives.

Over the last 2 ½ years, I have had the utmost honour and privilege to work with some of the most beautiful people this world has to offer. Each day I am in awe of the heart and passion of the people who come to work every day at the Centre, and who give tirelessly of themselves for the betterment of others. They embody the true definition of compassion and selflessness. The patrons of the Centre are some of the most kind, considerate, and resilient people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. They have taught me so much about the values of family, humility, unconditional love, acceptance, courage, and hope. The Centre of Hope is not just another charity doing good work in the community; the Centre of Hope is Family. It is Home. It is a place filled with love and laughter, tears and sorrows, hopes and dreams, and a place filled with people who I feel so blessed to call my friends.

After much reflection and tears, my family and I have made the decision to relocate back to our home in Strathmore. This means I will no longer serve at the Centre in my capacity as Executive Director. This decision is bitter sweet, as I will miss the patrons, staff, and community immensely, but I am excited for the future God has planned for me and my family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for all the support and kindness shown to me and the Centre over the years. I truly value and appreciate the relationships made and hope that you will share the same love and kindness to the new Director, Stephen Bryant. We will be working closely together over the next two months so as to ensure smooth transition in the role. Mr. Bryant brings much passion and experience to the agency, and I look forward to introducing him to you all in the near future.

It has been an honour and privilege to serve at the Centre of Hope. I will be forever blessed and enriched from all the connections and experiences made. I pray for happiness and love for all those reading, and once again, thank you for your support.

Amanda Holloway

We are thinking of you Phil! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Fund Development — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:28:11 +0000

Latest news release by Russell Thomas, Dare2Dream Communications Director : http://www.middleagebulge.com/2013/02/meagher-recovering-at-home.html

We are beyond grateful for all the support our community has showed to Phil and Ski for Hope.

Ski for Hope – Home Builders/Developers Supporting

Fund Development — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:01:12 +0000

As our Municipal Councillor Phil Meager makes his journey to Fort Chip today for his 280km ski journey starting tomorrow (early am) he has more reasons to smile and be excited just like we do.

We are very grateful to the five companies from the Home Building and Development Community that have stepped up to support this one of a kind and epic journey. Our new friends of Winchester Builders, Devonian Properties (developing Longboat Landing), Rohit Communities, Island Homes and Cherrywood Homes are contributing $1,000.00 dollars each!

Our dear and generous supporters are also inviting other Home Builders/Developers to support.Our goal is to raise $100 per each km. With $9,000.00 dollars raised we have made first 90km for Phil easier to ski. After hearing the news of generous donations from our new friends, Phil says: “that makes every glide worth a bit more”.Dear Home Builders/Developers and

Community members, let’s make Phil’s journey easier by showing support to this courage’s journey. By pledging your support you will be helping our Centre do more for our patrons.

Ski for Hope-Goal $100/km

Fund Development — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:15:18 +0000

Municipal Councillor Phil Meagher is taking an epic journey. He will be skiing 280km in hopes of raising awareness and funds for our centre. Councillor Meagher’s journey from Fort Chipewyan to Fort McMurray is expected to take about 30 to 40 hours. He will begin his ride on February 23^rd early in the morning and is expected to arrive mid-afternoon on February 24th at the WinterPLAY site on the Snye. Please support this one of a kind and epic adventure by clicking on the below “donate” button.

7th Annual Ride for Hope

Fund Development — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:44:28 +0000

7th annual Ride for Hope will be taking place February 7th. Mr. Krahn and two other quad enthusiasts will be riding their quads approximately 440km from Fort McMurray to Fort Smith. They are looking to local business and individuals to pledge them for this ride.Ken started The Ride for Hope seven years ago to support the Centre of Hope. This year’s goal for Ken is $25,000 dollars. Pledges can be made to Centre of Hope for the Ride for Hope from now until Feb 10th.

$25,000 Below Zero

Fund Development — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:37:12 +0000

Our SubZero Challenge started Dec 1st, 2012 and ever since the first day we have been going strong. Today we sit at $21,010.68! That means less than $4,000 dollars to go until March 1st. Please visit our blog for more information and to find out how you can help. www.subzerochallenge.ca

$160,000 dollars worth of winter jackets and pants!!!

Fund Development — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:53:00 +0000

Centre of Hope just had the most amazing “lunch”!!! Our friends from Acklands Grainger surprised us with such an AMAZING donation. They donated 321 jackets and 142 pants worth $160,000 dollars!!!!! How UNBELIVABLE is that??!! This shows just how generous and giving our community truly is. This amazing donation comes in perfect time for our Christmas Party next week. We know we will have many smiley faces that will be excited, pleased, and so thankful to receive a new and most importantly warm winter jacket. We feel very blessed to have such great support. Thank you Acklands Grainger for helping us heat the streets this winter in your own way. Your generosity will bring warmth to so many people in need. This amazing donation gives us even more HOPE that we will be able to reach our monetary goal of $25,000 by March 1^st for our Sub-Zero challenge.It is an absolutely amazing start to heating our cold streets Fort McMurray! What can you do?

7th KD GALA

Stephane — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:37:10 +0000

Our 7th annual KD GALA was a great success. KD Gala is put on annually in appreciation of United Way and everything they do for us. This year we are happy to be able to give back $13,500 dollars. Thank you to all the local businesses and individuals for your support.

Thank You Fort McKay!

Fund Development — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:21:42 +0000

While going through our “Fuzzy book”, I came across a letter from our friends at Fort McKay Group of Companies. The words of this letter make us feel very warm fuzzy . Please have a read at a few sentences of the letter:

”I would like to start by acknowledging the shining efforts of you, your stuff and the center of hope facility for an outstanding and notable positive impact on the community of Fort McMurray. The results of your dedication to improving the standard of living for everyone here is evident all over the city and in the faces of so many who have been touched with adversary”.

We would like to thank Fort McKay for such kind words in addition to their generous contribution to the Centre of Hope; without the continued generosity of companies like Fort McKay we would not be able provide our much needed services.

Just recently we were invited by our friends of Fort McKay to their Family Fun Day where we were spoiled by good food and good company. We are looking forward to continuing our relationship in the years to come.

From all of us at Center of Hope

I am an Addict

Fund Development — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:05:30 +0000

I AM AN ADDICT

by Jackie

I am an addict dying with each blast

At this point I really don’t know how long I’ll last.

The pipe controls me, I can’t get out

No matter how much I scream and shout

No one hears me, they’ve all given up on me

All I long for is my old life, but they can’t see.

Crack has taken everything I had.

To see where I am now, really makes me mad

I am mad at the world for letting me go

I need support and guidance, I want them to know

I use the pipe to numb me from this

Cause it’s my family and friends that I miss

I pray to God to take me away.

But the sun is rising, just another hard day

I light my pipe, my feelings to numb

I really do know that this is dumb

Thats how I deal with my sad existence,

I wish I could quit and be persistent

with staying clean and getting it all back

but by myself… it’s the strength I lack.

This was a poem written by Jackie, a patron of the Centre of Hope, while she was in treatment for her addiction. The Centre of Hope gets to witness so much talent. True talent that comes from within, a lot of the time from tremendous suffering and pain. We are so grateful to know these individuals and hear their stories; in any way they can express them.

Thank you