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Pasula to Ensure Children Enjoy Access to All the Best Catholic Schools Have to Offer

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About Kim

I was born and raised in rural Alberta. After graduating from a small school in a class of 19 students, I went on to earn three university degrees and have made a living working in business and education, running my own small businesses and teaching as a college instructor. After Patricia and I were married at St. Josephā€™s Basilica in Edmonton, I launched the Entrepreneurial Centre in Lethbridge, before returning to establish our home here in Red Deer. Our children Brett and Kate, graduates of our Catholic schools and members of Sacred Heart Parish, are attending university at UBC.

Over the last 15 years, I have focused my work as a social justice advocate with charities and community organizations that are important to me. I have chaired and served on the boards of: our Catholic Education Foundation; Hospice; Community Legal Clinic; Community Foundation; School Council; Community Capital; RD Boxing Club; CAPRA-Poverty Reduction Alliance; Habitat for Humanity; Lifelong Learning Council; RDC Management Advisory Council; Public Legal Education Association of Canada; Canadian Centre for Court Technology, Alberta Community Economic Development Network; and, the Food for Friends Society. Currently, I am working on a major project involving Safe Harbour and Central Alberta Womenā€™s Emergency Shelter.

Preserving and Strengthening Catholic Schools

Catholic education is critically important to our children and our community. Always has been, always will be. Children have a right to a fully, publicly funded, Catholic education.

Families and young people are choosing our Catholic schools. Our student roster has grown to 10,000 children and young people. Our division funding has grown to $100 million dollars.

There is some rhetoric from a few however, that would like to see our Catholic school division eliminated. My commitment to the families and all in our community: I will preserve and strengthen Catholic education, built upon the pillars of home, parish and school, so that their children, our young people, can thrive in safe and caring and faith-filled schools of their choice.

Catholic Education is Important to Our Children and Our Community

Catholic education: changes lives, builds community. God created us with two hands: one to help ourselves, the other to help others. My commitment to our community: I will ensure that our schools prepare children for the workforce of tomorrow; develop informed citizens that can think for themselves and participate in civic affairs; and, give our children reason for optimism, for hope. I will ensure that our schools prepare children to live fully, so that they can contribute to society, provide for their families, and serve others in need in our community.

My Commitment to You

As your trustee I will: preserve and strengthen Catholic education; ensure that teachers and schools are properly resourced to deliver the highest standard of education; ensure that all budget decisions are made in the best interests of your children. I have long advocated for the elimination of school fees. As your trustee, under your guidance, I will work to create a system where all the best our schools have to offer are accessible to all, at no cost to children and their families.

I see my role, as a trustee, to be your representative. I commit to reaching out to you, being open and accessible, and a good listener. My goal is to ensure that you and all in our community help inform decisions and policy regarding the Catholic education of children and young people in our community.

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New Documentary “Cooking with Hot Stones” Explores History of Fort Assiniboine, Alberta

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February 14, 2025 ā€“ Alberta, CanadaĀ ā€“ A compelling new documentary,Ā Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine, is set to air on Wild TV, RFD TV Canada, Cowboy Channel Canada, and you can click here to stream for FREE on Wild TVā€™s streaming service, Wild TV+. This engaging one-hour feature will take viewers on a journey through time, exploring Fort Assiniboineā€™s rich history from 1823 to 2023.

Fort Assiniboine is a significant landmark in Alberta, playing a crucial role in Indigenous history, the fur trade, and the western expansion of Canada. This documentary captures the spirit of the region, illustrating how it has evolved over two centuries and how it continues to shape the cultural fabric of the province today.

Wild TV will make the documentary free to stream on Wild TV+ on February 14th so that it can be easily accessed in classrooms and other educational settings throughout the region, ensuring the historical significance of Fort Assiniboine reaches a wider audience.

Produced by Western Directives Inc.,Ā Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort AssiniboineĀ brings historical moments to life with vivid storytelling, expert interviews, and breathtaking cinematography.

ā€œWe are very excited to partner with Wild TV as part of our one hour documentary production. Based in Alberta, we respect the hard work and quality programming that Wild TV brings to a national audience. With the broadcast opportunity, Wild TV gives our production the ability to entertain and educate Canadians across the country on multiple platforms,ā€ said Tim McKort, Producer at Western Directives.

Scott Stirling, Vice President of Wild TV, also expressed enthusiasm for the project: ā€œAt Wild TV, we are passionate about telling Canadian stories that resonate with our audiences. This documentary not only highlights a crucial piece of our nationā€™s history but also celebrates the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples, traders, and settlers who shaped the land we call home today. We are proud to bringĀ Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort AssiniboineĀ to our viewers across Canada.ā€

Airtimes for Wild TV can be foundĀ here.

For airtimes on RFD TV Canada,Ā click here.

For airtimes on Cowboy Channel Canada, visitĀ CCCā€™s schedule.

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100+ Women Who Care Red Deer celebrates 10th season in 2025 with new leadership

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L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer

After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.

Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.

Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:

ā€œLeading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didnā€™t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ā€˜100 Who Careā€™ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!ā€

Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.

In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:

ā€œWe are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.

To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organizationā€™s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.

For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca

About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer

100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.

The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the membersā€™ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.

Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.

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