To the editor,
I would like to to express my sincere appreciation to all who have supported Pictou County Early Intervention fundraising endeavours in the past few months. Pictou County Early Intervention is a non-profit home-based program providing support services to children with special needs and their families aged birth to school age. Over the past 13 years, we have served well over 100 families with services such as home visits, informal assessment of strengths and needs, toy and book lending, education, transition to preschool and public school and related services. Our mission is to help children reach their maximum potential in the early years as these are the crucial learning opportunities. We believe in investing early so children have the best possible chance later in life, a chance all children deserve. Children with developmental delays have unique needs and our program fits the needs of the child and family. As is the case with many non-profit agencies we are required to fundraise to provide service to as many families as possible. We do receive government funding but with growing demand and increasing referrals we have had to look at alternate ways to fund and expand services.
It is no small feat what the community of Pictou County can accomplish. We have been fortunate to benefit from many supporters over the past several years. During May and June, we participated in the Home Show in New Glasgow, held our first-ever mixed Lob Ball Tournament and were again chosen as a recipient charity for partial proceeds from the Pictou County Progress Club’s Survivor Pictou Island. I would like to acknowledge the following for their role in these events: Norman Lord, Barry MacIntosh, Dale Smith, members of the Pictou County Progress Club and each volunteer who supported these events. Thanks to Atlantic Wholesalers, Sobeys, Big 8, M&M Meat Shops, Jungle Jim’s, Subway, Trenton Recreation, Scotsburn Dairy and White’s Custom Cresting for the donations of food and prizes for the ball tournament. I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone but if I did you know who you are. On behalf of the staff, board of directors and families we serve, please accept our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for what you have done for early intervention. You have made a difference in the lives of children and families and we truly appreciate it. Pictou County, you truly are a giving community!
Lisa D. Smith
Executive Director, Pictou County Early Intervention
