Salmon Arm is home to many resources, supports and activities, which will be highlighted at a new event aimed at informing the community on what’s available.
The goal of the Shuswap Family Expo, co-founded by Dr. Taylor Bean and Missy Morrison Charko, is to bring all of those assets together in one place to create awareness and provide easy accessibility.
“The idea is to exhibit programs that families may not be aware of that can help their families, essentially, thrive,” Bean explained. “Be it that’s health, food, education, sports, arts, mental health. We're trying to hit every need and capacity. ”
Representation includes 4-H, Rappattack, the Shuswap Food Action Society, Okanagan College and various trades, among others. There will also be demonstrations from different sports and programs to give people a visual and provide some hands-on experience as well. All exhibitors are asked to have an interactive component as well, “so that it’s not just, here’s a piece of paper,” Charko added.
“We want them to actually show the families why, what do we do to support you and what are we providing.”
Additionally, there will be four guest speakers, with those already confirmed including school psychologist Devon Wolfe, CEO of KidStar Nutrients Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe and former NHL player Jared Aulin.
Along with that educational component will be element of fun, with bouncy castles, entertainment and food trucks also part of the event.
“It’s a really encompassing day, we’re really wanting to capture the needs of families in whatever that may be,” Bean said, adding that it will cover a range of ages and situations. “We’re just trying to capture all the things that families might not know that’s out there that’s in our region.”
Following the Expo itself, they want the website – shuswapfamilyexpo.ca – to be a hub, with all the information and participant links accessible there "kind of like our own little Google search," Bean said.
The Shuswap Family Expo will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Salmon Arm Fair Grounds. Admission is by donation, be it monetary, non-perishable food item or other items needed by the Shuswap Family Centre, which is partnering with the Expo. The only cost associated with the event is the $10 wristbands to access the bouncy castles to cover related expenses.
Anyone wanting to participate as an exhibitor, food vendor or sponsor can access the applications on the website, or email theshuswapfamilyexpo@gmail.com.
