Child Find: Haunted By The Lost

WHETHER IN APRIL SHOWERS or sunshine it is time for Child Find BC to raise awareness and funds through the annual Michael Dunahee Keep the Hope Alive Drive sparked by the Victoria Chapter on Vancouver Island. The 5K walk and run is on Sunday, April 8th.

I have written about Michael and this yearly event in the past. It was maddening to learn of the little boy's disappearance from a playground in Victoria, BC, in 1991. Disasters such as this alert parents to the unsettling fact that their own children could just as easily be snatched. A gaze averted for mere seconds can lead to a child vanishing seemingly into thin air.

LOST is the word that comes to mind when searching for a letter that starts with “L”. It is something no one wants to think about and I am sure many would be shocked as I was to read some 60,000 kids are reported missing each year in Canada. A vast number are runaways. Some are parental abductions. Although most return, some disappearances are never resolved and in rare cases children are found but have lost their lives.

Chances for positive outcomes increase and abductions decrease when people are actively involved in educating the public on prevention and safety techniques. Child Find works with community groups as well as local police to support families and help prevent future disasters.

Organizations such as Child Find never give up on the missing and offer families the compassion and resource information they need to deal with the trauma of not knowing what has happened to their loved ones.

We have all heard of extraordinary events when a lost child has been found alive as an adult and returned to their families. The passing years cannot wipe away the hope that a missing child will one day be found.

Anyone in the area wanting to participate in the nature walk or wanting to learn more about this non-profit service can start here.

The word lost showcases the letter "L" and is linked to ABC Wednesday.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Child Find: Hope For Lost Little Lambs

I WAS ABOUT TO WALK IN the door of my local drugstore when I spotted a table of t-shirts and pamphlets promoting yet another worthy cause seeking financial contributions. There are so many credible reasons to give and/or buy something that it can be overwhelming. Nonetheless, it is difficult not to put Child Find on top of the donation list.

The face of four-year old Michael Dunahee is still etched in my mind after all these years. Sadly, the mystery of his disappearance has remained unsolved and is a cruel reminder of how vulnerable society is to evil-intentioned people. Michael was presumed abducted in 1991 from a playground in Victoria, BC, where there is now a Chapter of Child Find.

It isn't only money that the organization needs. A human heart moved to volunteer is a priceless commodity, particularly when it comes to non-profit organizations. No doubt volunteers play a major role in the 98% plus recovery rate for cases in which Child Find is involved. Volunteers also actively take part in education and prevention programs. This generosity of spirit is the counterbalance that offers hope in the midst of despair.

For those looking to be involved or who simply crave a workout, the Keep the Hope Alive Drive 2010, in Michael Dunahee’s name, might be a good place to start. The 5km family fun run/walk is on Sunday, April 4th, at 10 a.m. at the Esquimalt Curling Rink located at 1151 Esquimalt Road. The Entry Form to attend can be found here.