SAIF Society provides support, education, and advocacy for those that have experienced or witnessed family violence and abuse. Support includes access to short-term counselling, referrals, and education about healthy relationships. Through SAIF, services are provided free of charge to those in need; as a not-for-profit organization, fundraising is essential to keep providing these very necessary services. All of the funds raised at the car rally will support SAIF’s programs and services.
The car rally consists of a scavenger hunt done while in your vehicle. The items on the hunt are provided by local businesses and are also comprised of local landmarks. Participants are one team per vehicle and this team can be your family, friends, colleagues – anyone in your cohort or bubble provided they can safely and legally fit in the vehicle. Participants on motorcycles are also allowed.
Not only will the participants have fun, they will be competing for some amazing prizes! First prize is a three-night say in a private cabin in Jasper Park Lodge. A food and beverage credit is part of this package. Second prize is an outstanding Alberta adventure. Third prize is courtesy of West Edmonton Mall and includes a stay in Fantasyland Hotel along with dinner.
The SAIF car rally is a family-friendly non-alcoholic event and safety is rigorously observed. A waiver and proof of valid insurance are required during registration, and COVID-19 safety practices must be observed. Those not following the rules will be disqualified and asked to leave the rally.
This rally replaces SAIF’s Red Shoe Gala. With social distancing in place and the gala no longer viable, SAIF is providing the community with fun experiences to connect while providing support to the society.
In addition to participating in the rally, you can provide support through sponsorship or a direct donation. There are three levels of sponsorship ($5,000, $2,500, $1,000) and donations can be made thorough Canada Helps.
By participating, sponsoring, or donating, you are making a very big difference. An estimated 362,000 children in Canada witness or experience abuse and according to Statistics Canada, “Very little difference was found between people who had experienced physical and/or sexual abuse as children and those who had not when it came to key socioeconomic elements such as education, employment and income.” Approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her partner. This is a long-reaching issue for both men and women – Statistics Canada also reports, “In 2011, 34 per cent of all police-reported intimate partner victims were violently victimized by their previous partner, compared to 65 per cent by a current partner. This pattern held true for both female and male victims.” This is the reason why both advocacy and education are needed. Leaving an abusive situation does not automatically negate the risk.
With the added financial and isolating factors brought on by COVID-19, many families are in crisis – a situation that creates a perfect storm for abuse. The work SAIF is doing is more important than ever as cases escalate. Your participation in the rally, your sponsorship, or your donation helps to save lives and to break the cycle of abuse in families. Come out and participate for a great cause, and learn more about how you can be part of a long-term solution.
Click here to learn more about the rally and to register, and here to learn more about SAIF Society.
