Representative of Discovery Co-op wear dinosaur costumes in the 2024 Safe Families Cart Race. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

RACE FOR A CAUSE

Shopping cart race raises fund for Safe Families Battlefords

Sep 16, 2024 | 8:47 AM

On a bright, sunny Saturday morning in North Battleford, people gathered together in Civic Park to race for the 2024 annual second cart race hosted by the Safe Families Canada Battlefords (Safe Families).

“I think, why not the carts? I feel like it is a humble thing that we push around, and we put things we purchase at the store,” said Jessica Garcia-Driedger, chapter director of Safe Families Canada Battlefords. “I just love the versatility of it. “

Discovery Co-op provided around 70 shopping carts for this race.

From toddlers and North Star players to various local business representatives, each did their best to transform a regular shopping cart into a racing car on the track. This was done to raise funds for Safe Families which provides services to families in crisis.

Businesses try their best to stand out from one another. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

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According to Safe Families, parents experiencing a temporary crisis can arrange for their children to stay with host families while they try to get back on their feet.

“We are making connections in the community to see if we can have an office where people can stop by and connect to resources,” said Garcia-Driedger. “We are trying to save up money for it.”

They raised $17,000 in last year’s race.

North Stars players in the race representing different local businesses. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW Staff)

This year, the organization gathered 59 local sponsors, including Discovery Co-op and Fortress Windows and Doors Ltd.

Players from Battlefords North Stars and Battlefords United FC were the special cart runners.

“It is an effort to help out the Safe Families and the work they are doing in the Battlefords,” said Kevin Driedger, owner and manager of Fortress Window and Doors Ltd. “We like to be involved in the community and help out as we also participate in many different things.”

Garcia-Driedger further explained that since they have not had a physical location, their service will be provided through their connections with local churches and non-profit organizations.

“Soon, we will be going into all the community agencies and the community outreach program, giving our information, and starting to accept referrals (clients). Those referrals can come from anywhere, from the hospital to daycare, BGC, and the Ministry of Social Services,” she said.

A toddler trying her best on the track. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

She also mentioned that hosting this event allowed her to feel the warmth and support of the community as she found it difficult to connect with people when she moved to the Battlefords three years ago.

“As silly as it might seem for doing a cart race, people got really into it and that really is what sparked my interest in Safe Families,” she said.

“It can be a very lonely place for people, and it was for me when I first moved here, but that’s not the case anymore.”

Families gather together to spend a sunny weekend morning with Safe Families Battlefords. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW Staff)

The race started at 11 a.m. and first-place winners from different age groups included Parkland Farm Equipment Ltd, Living Faith Chapel and 2nd North Battleford Scouting Group. Catholic Family Service (CFS) won the best-designed cart award.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com