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Ladysmith dads helping the food bank

The Ladysmith Dads' Drop-In is selling hot dogs and holding a Food and Fund Raiser for the Ladysmith Food Bank Dec. 21.
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Dale Gisborne

The Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In likes to get out into the community a lot, and this weekend, the group will be giving back to the community with a hot dog sale and “Food and Fund Raiser.”

The Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In is holding a hot dog sale and “Food and Fund Raiser” Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of 49th Parallel Grocery in Ladysmith. They will be raising money for the Ladysmith Food Bank and the Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In.

A program of the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA), the Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In supports fathers, fathers-to-be and grandfathers in their involvement with their children.

“We have a lot of new dads,” said Dale Gisborne, the co-ordinator/facilitator of the Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In. “They’re finding it’s really connecting with other dads who are doing the same thing with new children, developing the skills new dads need to develop in a laid-back setting. We have granddads. We have dads who’ve just become single dads who need the support and need to connect with other people who have gone through the same thing. It’s a safe, positive, supportive environment. It’s about dads having fun with their kids.”

Every Saturday, the group hosts a free drop-in session from 10 a.m. to noon at the LRCA at 630 Second Ave. with free breakfast, fun activities and guest speakers.

“The conversations can be anything from parenting to hockey around the table,” said Gisborne. “Food is a great medium for conversation.”

They bring in guest speakers and health professionals and have presentations about topics such as baby massage, Triple P Parenting, dental health and much more.

“We’re giving dads skills and knowledge about what’s out there,” explained Gisborne.

The Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In is also out in the community a lot. Gisborne says they go to community events a lot as a group, and they like to explore their surroundings, such as visiting Ladysmith Fire/Rescue and the Ladysmith RCMP Detachment.

The Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In started six years ago, and Gisborne says it’s quite rare to find a dads’ group that has been around this long.

“When you go on the Internet, you don’t see a lot of dads’ groups,” he said. “It’s kind of unique that this has survived so long and has always been supported. We’re always getting new dads each week, and it’s growing.”

For more information about the Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In, call 250-245-3079 or e-mail dadsgroup@lrca.bc.ca. You can also find them on Facebook.





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