A new movement created to help children who are removed from their homes due to crisis circumstances such as abuse, neglect and other factors, has established a chapter in the Valley. Bags of Love is a charitable organization that provides the Department of Family Services with bags filled with items a child would benefit from having when being transitioned to a new living arrangement.
The Canadian Program was started in Alberta in 2009 and is making its way across Canada, and now here in the Valley.
“We recognize that certain children, upon being displaced from their normal or perhaps abnormal home life due to domestic violence and or drug or alcohol abuse, are left with nothing, not even their favourite toy or blanket,” said Bags of Love Volunteer Linda McCullough. “It is our intent that working through the Department of Families, to provide to each of these children, from newborn to age 17, a Bag of Love with age and gender appropriate items for their care and their enjoyment that they can truly call their very own.
“We believe that this small token of love and affection will go far toward helping these children adjust to a foster or adoptive home, whether temporary or permanent. We pray that these children will long cherish their Bag of Love and endeavour to remember other children who might be subjected to the same plight in their growing years.
“When given their very own Bag of Love, it can give them a sense of security, comfort and care to support their emotional and physical wellbeing,” said McCullough.
“While attending a Women’s Retreat in May of this year, Pauline Rogers from North Battleford, SK, spoke on this project that has been moving across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We were impressed to start a chapter in Swan River, as we believe there is a need in our community and we want to make a difference in a child’s life.
“We officially became a chapter in September and have delivered eight Bags of Love to the Department of Families,” said McCullough. “We plan on delivering more in the near future.”
Items that are new or gently used can be donated to go into the Bags of Love.
“Items suitable for donation could be a handmade quilt/blanket, stuffed toys, dolls, new toys and games or clean and like new condition, school supplies, books, coloring books, journals for older children, flashlights, nightlights, hygiene products such as shampoo, body wash or bar soap, deodorant, sanitary napkins, dental hygiene products, combs/brushes, hair accessories, Kleenex, socks etc.,” said McCullough. “Also, baby items such as diapers, bottles, pacifiers, baby shampoo, lotion, powder, blankets, knitted hats, toys, stuffies, etc.”
The Swan River chapter for Bags of Love is also looking for volunteers to either help put the bags together or to make handmade items to go into them. 
“It takes a village to raise a child, and it also takes a community to make a project for children work,” said McCullough. “It relies on volunteers of all ages and walks of life to meet the needs of displaced children by donating the above items as mentioned.
“If you sew or knit, we can use homemade quilts, baby blankets, bibs, pencil cases or makeup bags, hats, mittens and scarves. Please contact me or Donna Leming.
“We are a nonprofit organization and will be operating through the Swan River Seventh-day Adventist Church. If someone wishes to make a monetary donation, please make cheques payable to the Swan River Seventh-day Adventist Church and mark ‘Bags of Love’ and a receipt will be issued. Please contact me at 204-281-0483 or Donna Leming at 204-731-4553 if you have any questions or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”

A new Ukrainian dance program is being offered through the Benito Vesselli Dance Club to help engage children at a much younger and earlier age into the art of Ukrainian dancing. It is important to see cultural programs continue and to create a succession plan where there is a variety of ages when it comes to participants.
“Our club has had an increase in enrolment every year for the past couple of years,” said Vesselli Ukrainian Dance Instructor Amanda Bulycz. “I know right after the pandemic, our club took a hit, we were down to only seven dancers total in the whole club. Now we have over 35 dancers and that number continues to increase.
“We are extremely excited to see such a large increase in enrolment and involvement in Ukrainian dance, especially in our small town. Our club works extremely hard to keep the Ukrainian culture and traditions alive, and having an increase every year helps. We look forward to welcoming our new families into our dance family and community.”
Bulycz is bringing a new age category for Ukrainian dancing that will engage pre-school-aged children. She has seen other communities in bigger centres offer Ukrainian dance programs for tots, but hasn’t seen anything like it in the area.
“Our club has offered a Rhythm and Movement Class for three to five year olds for many years and has had great success,” said Bulycz. “As for a toddler class, I have seen other Ukrainian dance clubs in cities offer a parent and tot class, but nothing within the Valley. I’m looking forward to bringing the Ukrainian Dance Tots Class to the Valley.
“Tots in Motion is for our littlest dancers to join in on the Ukrainian Dance Fun. It’s a brand new program that the Benito Vesselli Dance Club is offering new this season for children 18 months to three years of age.
“Tots will explore the studio, meet our instructors, enjoy movement and dance while building confidence, all while having fun with simple dance activities,” said Bulycz.
“Austin Spencer and I are the Vesselli dance instructors and will lead this group. Parents are encouraged to stay, help and join in on all the fun with their toddler.
“I’m planning something special for our Tots in Motion class to perform at our Year-End Concert on May 9,” said Bulycz. “We might even have a small performance at Vesselli’s Malanka on Jan. 10.”
There are several more reasons other than succession planning that led to the creation of the Tots In Motion class. Bulycz has experience working in Early Childhood Education and will use that to help create the programming for the Tots In Motion classes.
“I thought about creating a tots group for a few reasons, one being the younger siblings of our current dancers always trying to sneak into the gym to join their siblings’ dance group,” said Bulycz. “We have many siblings who weren’t old enough to join dance, but wanted in on the fun. I thought, why not create a fun class made just for them and other tiny dancers that are ready to move. The program is created to be welcoming for our youngest dancers, focusing on building connections and having fun.
“I have many activities planned, but our main focus and goal will be creating a fun and welcoming environment for children to build coordination, rhythm and confidence. We will dance with scarves, feathers, tambourines and drums, move to traditional Ukrainian dance music, and learn basic steps such as marching, running, skipping, clapping, etc.
“The class is designed with toddlers in mind,” said Bulycz. “I’m an Early Childhood Educator as well, so I have been able to combine my knowledge as an ECE when making up lesson plans for the tots class. The class will be laid back, calm and meet the dancers at their level. I’m really looking forward to all the fun we will have.”
There is still time for those who are interested in the Tots In Motion class to sign up. The first class started last week, but there is still time to try it out and register for the season.
“Our Tots in Motion Class started on October 16, and will be running Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Benito,” said Bulycz. “Tots are welcome to join anytime and our first two classes are free to try before committing. The fees for the Tots in Motion class are $125.00 for the dance season. Anyone interested in registering can contact me or message Benito Vesselli Dance Club on Facebook to register or for any questions.”