Flint Energy believes in supporting the youth of Strathcona County, which they recently demonstrated by making a very generous donation to our Boys and Girls Club. This community-minded company selected our club because they wanted to donate directly to the youth of Sherwood Park where both the company and their staff live and work.

Thank you to everyone who has donated over the past year. When you choose to help our cause through a monetary donation, 100 per cent of the funds you donate are applied to youth programming. We also have the money doubled by a Provincial Government Community Spirit Grant (culture.alberta.ca/communityspirit/default.aspx).

There are times you wonder if people read your column. The purpose of this piece is to connect families with the services available in Strathcona County. One such person read my last column and told me how she is making the right connections. "Shawna" sent me a couple of encouraging emails recently. I have altered a few details to protect the identity of this special family. I asked "Shawna" if I could share some of her recent emails with you. She said sure, if it will help others.

Good evening Neil,

I just read your beautiful column on page 28 of the Sherwood Park News and wanted to say my part about local volunteers.

I am a single mom struggling financially, emotionally and physically (as is my family). We have gone through some horribly tough years and abuse.

We would not be here today without the help of many (Strathcona County) volunteers. Our guardian angels are at the Strathcona Food Bank, the provincial government's Alberta Works, the (local) church, the Sherwood Park Mental Health Center and Family and Community Services.

It took considerable strength to put our needs out there and I know we still have a long way to go, but I have hope now thanks to the volunteers that have touched our lives.

Makes me very proud to live in Sherwood Park.

Unfortunately, bullying is one thing we have all had experience with.

It exists not only in person with teasing, taunting and physical violence but it also can be done through phone texting and online. When it comes to our youth being verbally abused or physically threatened, it can rapidly become a very serious issue. 

You will need to really listen — what you learn from them is important.

If you are like me, just having my teens stop texting on their phone or surfing on Facebook while we talk for a few minutes is a good start.

It is an even bigger problem if your kids are being bullied and you don't know about it.

Take time to listen to your kids and find out if someone is making them feel unsafe.

Now is the time to plan for the fall and who will look after our children while we are at work. Starting this fall, the Boys and Girls Club of Strathcona County will offer licensed childcare for children in Grades 1 through 7.

This out-of-school care program provides a safe and fun environment for children.

Most of us in Strathcona County who have children, work. With the rising cost of living, few of us can afford to stay home to look after our children.

Most of us need to find suitable childcare.

Because of a shortage of spaces in Strathcona County, the Boys and Girls Club has become a licensed after-school care provider.

Thanks to the provincial government, financial subsidies on a sliding scaled based on your income level are available.

The formula makes the cost of providing childcare affordable for each family.