On May 11 2017 I attended the Tri-Cities Champions for Young Children Awards of Excellence event at the Hard Rock Casino. Presented by the Tri-Cities Early Childhood Development Committee, this event is a celebration of those who have improved the lives of children aged birth to 6 years and their families in the Tri-Cities.

As I looked around the room during the evening, I was happy to see that many of the nominees, award winners and guests are clients of Safe + Sound. Over the last 17 years we have had the pleasure of providing Red Cross First Aid training to thousands of childcare workers, parents and babysitters, most of whom live and work in the Tri-Cities.

I was particularly thrilled when Tazeen Bharucha (SD43 Strongstart) receive the award in the individual Champion category. Tazeen was one my children’s’ preschool teachers and it would be hard to find a kinder and more dedicated childcare worker. It was also wonderful to see Diane Lee from Tri-Cities Child Care Resource & Referral Program receive the Leadership Champion award – well deserved recognition of 35 years work in the childcare field.

Thank you to Trish Mandewo from Vancouver Tumblebus for nominating Safe + Sound First Aid Training for an award at this event. It was an honour to be in the same room as some of the most caring, loving, creative, people in our community; those who have dedicated their lives and their careers to protecting the most vulnerable among us – our little ones.

Kudos to Susan Foster from MCFD and all of the other event organizers, for providing a platform to recognize and inspire those in the field of childcare. Congratulations to all and keep up the good work!