News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

The Branch 139 Legion is a strong supporter of veterans and their families, and also provides consistent support for a variety of groups, residents and events in the community. A great example of this generous support is the presentation made yesterday at the family Christmas party by Vivian Macneil, Zone Commander and Entertainment Coordinator at the Legion.

Two very special gifts were handed out---one was a cheque for $200 to Borderline, a local kids’ singing group that performs at many community events, including the Legion’s Christmas party.

(Photo: Legion 139 Zone Commander Vivian Macneil presented Danielle Schultz with a Spinoza ‘Trauma’ Bear at the family Christmas party on Sunday.)

The other gift was a Spinoza ‘Trauma’ Bear that was presented to 10-year-old Danielle Schultz. The Spinoza Bear project is a local partnership between the Royal Canadian Legion and the Order of the Eastern Star. It is a special bear designed for children undergoing trauma: things like a life-changing injury or illness and the loss of a parent or family member.

“Danielle’s father is battling cancer and is on palliative care. Her mother, Cindy, works at the Legion and also plays a lot of music here for us: we know the family well,” Vivian Macneil explained. “Losing a parent is a confusing, lonely, heartbreaking time for a young child and our hearts went out to them all---we wanted to do something special for Danielle and thought the Spinoza Bear would be wonderful.”

The Spinoza Bear comes with tapes of phrases and music designed to comfort, entertain and provide inspiration and companionship for children.

“We phoned Eastern Star and they were thrilled with the idea, so we went ahead with it,” she continued. “The bear is beautiful. To me, if you’re upset or afraid, listening to him brings you peace and comfort.

“Danielle is a joyous, sweet girl and I hope I’m around to see her when she’s grown, because she will be miraculous,” Vivian said.

Danielle’s mother, singer/musician Cindy Lightfoot, said that she is utterly moved by the gift of the Spinoza Bear. “There aren’t words to say a thank you deep enough for what this means to me,” she said. “When a family is going through this kind of loss, a gift to your child is like a gift to you all.”

(Photo: Legion 139 Zone Commander Vivian Macneil presented Danielle Schultz with a Spinoza ‘Trauma’ Bear at the family Christmas party on Sunday.)

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