ESTEVAN - The Estevan Early Years Family Resource Centre (EEYFRC) had a number of activities happening over the Christmas break.
Executive director Sydney Wanner said they hosted Estevan's first Noon Year's Eve Party on Dec. 31. Approximately 65 young people had the opportunity to experience many of the activities associated with New Year's Eve, including a countdown, which occurred at noon and featured a balloon drop from the ceiling. Kids were encouraged to wear fancy clothes.
"Families could come in whenever it worked for them and their [children's] nap times," said Wanner. "There was a bunch of stations and activities. There was a fun little photo booth with props."
It was a fun activity for parents to do with kids during the day, since most kids that age won't make it to midnight to ring in the new year.
The family centre also hosted its annual PJ Family Christmas Bash on Dec. 20. Santa Claus was on hand, and there were kid-friendly activities and stations for those ages zero to five. It's a bigger event that typically attracts more than 200 people to the centre.
The agency also recently received a donation from the Estevan Strippers' hockey club. Champion Technologies donated tickets to a Winnipeg Jets hockey game to the Strippers, who sold the tickets through a silent auction during last year's Molson Spring Bust recreational hockey tournament. The initiative raised $1,100, and the money was presented to the EEYFRC on Dec. 21.
Wanner noted the money will go towards programming. The agency has started doing more for ages six to 11, and they are in the early stages of creating an outdoor space that can be used during the summer. It would be in a grassy area next to the centre's parking lot.
"We're thinking about having all-natural materials to switch it up in Estevan. I know we have a lot of playparks in the city, but nobody has all-natural. Everything would be made out of wood and it would be built into the hill. Cool things like that," said Wanner.
Plans are expected to be released to the public in the next few months.
The EEYFRC also hopes to have a bowling event, a movie experience and more for the kids ages six to 11.
The donation is among those the Strippers make each year through the funds raised at the Spring Bust tournament.
