Purple Thursday
By Adan Shaikh
Camrose Royal Purple is an association working hard to support the members of our community for over 93 years. They show their support by giving scholarships to high school students, fundraising at various events, and making donations to social and community support programs and organizations.
Some of those who have received donations from Camrose Royal Purple are: St. Mary’s Hospital, Meals on Wheels, Camrose Women’s Shelter, Centra Cam, Camrose Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club Camrose and Salvation Army. These are only a few names from the long list of people they have helped.
This week they are preparing for their third annual Purple Thursday in collaboration with Brain Care Centre on October 17. A day where they ask the community to wear purple to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with those who have experienced intimate partner violence and brain injury.
“In Canada, every two and a half days, a woman or girl is killed violently, usually by a male partner or family member, and each night, more than 6,000 women and children find refuge from gender-based violence in shelters,” shared Sandi Lougheed, chair of the Canadian Royal Purple’s BrainLove committee.
On Purple Thursday, members of Camrose Royal Purple will prepare bags for women checking in to the local women’s shelter. These bags contain essential items, like toothbrushes, hygiene products, and other necessities, designed to make the very difficult transition a bit more comfortable. A meaningful gesture, providing care and compassion to women during challenging times.
“Women, when they flee these situations and go to the shelter, they come with nothing. We hope these bags can help them with that,” shared Marion Czapp, vice-president of the association.
In addition to supporting women in need, Camrose Royal Purple is using this event to raise awareness about the often overlooked issue of brain injury. Brain injuries can have a profound effect on people’s lives, and Purple Thursday aims to educate the community on the impact and challenges faced by those affected.
“We take so many of our skills and abilities for granted, and when brain injury happens, people often lose basic skills like multi-tasking,” commented Irene Gartner, president of Camrose Royal Purple.
They also hope to expand their support to children; however, they currently do not have enough help to make that dream come true.
By shining a spotlight on these important issues, the Royal Purple hopes to foster greater empathy and understanding while encouraging community involvement. The Camrose Royal Purple organization has been steadfast in its efforts to support victims of violence and they’re inviting more people to join them in making a difference.
They are currently looking for volunteers who can assist in organizing their upcoming fundraising events, such as bingo nights, barbecues, and catering activities. These events not only raise much-needed funds but also help create connections within the community, strengthening the network of support available for those in need.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause, consider joining Camrose Royal Purple in their mission to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.