LAC LA BICHE – Dozens of nonprofit community groups, sport and recreational clubs, educational institutions, volunteer organizations, and even the local RCMP were showcased during the CARE (Community Awareness Registration Night) event in Lac La Biche.
CARE, which is put on annually by Lac La Biche County FCSS, took place at Bold Centre on June 18.
According to Anita Polturak, manager of Lac La Biche County FCSS, CARE puts a focus on agencies in the community and sports teams, such as hockey and soccer, giving the public a chance to learn about the opportunities that are available.
“It’s also an opportunity for people to register for those programs for the fall, and just generally to get to know the community better, and what resources are available,” Polturak said. “It’s especially important for people who are not familiar with all of those things . . . because we have a lot of stuff that people can do here.”
When organizing CARE each year, FCSS staff sends out invitations to community groups several months before the event takes place and invites groups to register and set up a table.
“We provide a space for them to highlight their programs and services,” she explained.
People who were interested in learning about childcare options in the Lac La Biche area could stop by the table operated by Little Sprouts Childcare Centre. Tess Mann, who is part of the leadership team at Little Sprouts, was on hand, helping promote the program.
The event allows “everybody to get out and see what’s available in the community,” said Mann.
Also in attendance at the 2025 edition of CARE was the Eastern Alberta Regional Victim Serving Society. According to Leslie Waston, a client coordinator with the society, the organization set up at the community registration event to raise awareness and to get people interested in helping out.
“We’re always looking for volunteers for our organization,” Watson said.
During the event, staff with the society handed out pamphlets, along with crayons and colouring pages for children.
“We support anybody that’s in trauma, and we support all victims of crime,” she said.
Watson spoke highly of the CARE event.
“I think it’s fantastic . . . I love it,” she said.
People who attended CARE could also find out about religious organizations in the Lac La Biche area, including St. Andrew’s Anglican Church.
Rev. Kevin Pederson and his wife, Kathryn, were on hand to speak with people.
“We wanted to let the people know that the church is still open, that it’s still alive, and that we are doing things,” Kathryn said. “And we thought this is a good way to reach out to the community to see people that don’t necessarily walk through our doors.”
