The Steinbach chapter of Safe Families Canada (SFC) will be raising money on Saturday to help local families in crisis. Director Sue Doerksen says their 5th annual Dino Dash takes place on September 13th at A.D. Penner Park, from 4 to 7 pm. Doerksen explains that SFC is an organization designed to keep families safe. One way of doing this is by acting as an alternative before Child and Family Services (CFS) gets involved. According to its website, SFC is creating a world where children are safe, and families are together. With over 300,000 children and youth in Canada living in vulnerable families and at risk of abuse and neglect, SFC is on a mission to transform families and ensure that no family will face a crisis alone. Volunteers, known as the Circle of Support, are motivated to practice biblical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and compassion fuelled by mercy. Host Families, Family Friends, Family Coaches, and Resource Friends support families in crisis while they get back on their feet. According to Doerksen, Dino Dash is part of a national campaign for Play Day. Each of the local chapters will hold a fundraiser, with money raised staying in that community. "That's the beauty of it," she says. "It stays with the local families who are in crisis, who don't have anywhere else to go; they can turn to us." Doerksen says the circumstances surrounding the families they help can vary wildly. Sometimes they are called upon during a medical emergency when children need a place to go. Or it could be that a family is escaping an abusive situation. Other times, they take care of children whose parent or parents are going for treatment to break an addiction. Doerksen stresses that SFC is not against CFS. She notes though CFS serves a purpose, SFC does what it can to try and prevent kids from having to go into that care. "Locally, they have over 400 cases on their case load right now, that's crazy," says Doerksen. "If we can help out, we can have more one-on-one care with these families, one-on-one support, we can take these children into our host families where the parents never lose custody." Doerksen says sometimes the best thing to do is not remove the children from their home. She notes sometimes it is just about SFC walking alongside a family. "Because sometimes the situation does not warrant taking the kids out of the home, and it's a lot better and less traumatic for them, if they can stay home too," she explains. Anyone who feels they may need the services of SFC is encouraged to call 431-814-5833 or email steinbach@safefamilies.ca. "Give us a call any time," says Doerksen. "We can't help in every case, but I say always call because there might be something we can do, or we can point you in the right direction." Back to Dino Dash, Doerksen says it is such a fun event. She notes the day includes a petting zoo, inflatable axe throwing, face painting, and bounce houses. She says everything is free on Saturday, except for the canteen and horse rides. And finally, she says there is the dino race, which everyone should stick around for. With files from Corny Rempel