Friends and family,

Our school has joined the Variety Schools Fundraising Program to help kids across BC reach their fullest potential and thrive, just like we do!

The demand for help from Variety - the Children's Charity of BC has never been greater and its going to take the whole province coming together to pitch in. Can you join our school by supporting this fundraiser with a donation? Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of many! It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause.

Variety BC is one of the oldest registered charities in BC and has been supporting kids and families across the province since 1966 by providing direct assistance to children and their families such as adaptive and mobility equipment, specialized therapies, private assessments, mental health services, and educational supports.

Last year, our school raised $1,645 to help kids like Olivia from Burnaby continue their crucial speech and language therapy sessions. Olivia was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Speech and language therapy helps children with autism comprehend the verbal and nonverbal communication that other people use. It allows them to recognize cues like body language and facial expressions and helps them understand how to initiate communication without prompting. Thanks to our help, kids like Olivia are thriving!

Please help us reach our fundraising goal, and together we can make a big difference for a family in need!

Variety BC currently has over 1,100 kids on their wait list, waiting for them to say "YES" and provide the critical support they need. Parkcrest Children's Centre is championing the Private Assessments pillar at Variety BC, and committed to raising funds annually to help more kids like Olivia receive a private autism assessment. In BC, an autism assessment resulting in a confirmed diagnosis gives families with children under the age of 6 access to $22,000 per year of government funding for essential therapies and other resources. That funding drops to just $6,000 after the age of 6. With the wait for an assessment through the public health system being as long as 2 to 3 years, Variety has stepped in to fill this need by funding private autism assessments and Parkcrest Children's Centre is here to help. Please ask Farhana Kabani for more information on how you can get involved, or how you can apply for direct assistance for your child from Variety BC.

Thank you for your support of this important fundraiser for BC's kids!

Parkcrest Children's Centre would like to recognize our generous donors from last year's fundraiser for Variety BC who helped us make a difference in the lives of kids like Olivia:

> Eden - $25.00

> Araujo Family - $100.00

> Lee Family - $25.00

> Nayyar Family - $50.00

> Melodee and Lora - $50.00

> Lister Family - $25.00

> The Collins-Lam Family

> Egnlish Family - $50.00

> Shibata Family - $50.00

> Margaret and Meara - $50.00

>Marrello Family

>Bordignon Family - $50.00

>Kabani Family - $50.00

> Woodward Family