A chance of Fleury Dec. 6 in Coaldale

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Sunny South News

Hockey legend Theo Fleury is coming to Coaldale. Fleury’s visit is in support of the 2nd Annual Shed Light on Child Sexual Abuse tree lighting ceremony, being held this Friday at the Town of Coaldale Office on Main Sreet at 6 p.m. Coaldale and surrounding area residents can sponsor a bulb for the tree for a minimum donation of $5.

Not only is the former Calgary Flames hockey player helping out with the festivities, Coaldale fans will get a chance to have “Dessert with Theo Fleury,” after the tree lighting ceremony at the Coaldale Community Centre at 6:30 p.m. Limited tickets are available for the event for $10.

The annual event is spearheaded by local Kate Andrews High School student Alison Lee, who is an everyday Albertan helping to raise funds to build the future Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch.

“Theo Fleury is coming to Coaldale and he’s going to light my tree on Main Street,” said an excited and enthusiastic Alison, adding Fleury will talk about the work he does to shed light on child sexual abuse and will mingle with the crowd, during the highly anticipated event.

“Theo’s my hero and when I went to Ottawa in May for the Victor Walk I asked him if he could come light my tree and he said he definitely would,” she added.

Alison was inspired by Fleury, after she heard him discuss in the media Canada needs to shed light on the child sexual abuse subject, so she took the play on words and created her own campaign.

“Last year, I was able to raise $9,100 for Little Warriors. Last year, I got one light bulb for $5,000 and this year my goal is to see if somebody can top that one light bulb for $5,000,” Alison said.

According to Little Warriors, Canada desperately needs the Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch, but support is desperately needed to succeed.

Every single penny raised counts and will help to change the life of a child who, because of the Be Brave Ranch, will have a place to heal, to be loved and to recover.

Alison’s mom, Heather, said this year her daughter is selling her lights and she’s hoping to raise more than the $9,100 she raised last year.

“That’s her goal,” said Heather, adding the purpose of the initiative is to raise funds to build the Little Warriors facility.

“She’s just an inspirational youth and I’m very proud of her.”

Heather noted Alison hopes Coaldale, the community of Lethbridge and southern Alberta will rally behind her to raise awareness.

“It’s really about bringing awareness. We really don’t have a treatment facility anywhere in North America to treat children. It doesn’t exist and that’s why we’re trying to build one,” said the proud mom. According to a media release, last week the founder and chair of Little Warriors, Glori Meldrum, announced the facility that will become the Be Brave Ranch has been purchased and Little Warriors plans to open the ranch officially in June 2014 for two years of trials. With Phase One complete, Little Warriors is set to move into Phase Two, which involves renovating and repurposing the existing facility, that will become the Be Brave Ranch. However, in order to open the ranch, Little Warriors is still in need of $5 million to move into Phase Three and fund operations for trials.

To make a donation or to purchase tickets for “Dessert with Theo Fleury” call 403-345-5437 or Kelli at 403-393-4995 or visit Just For Pets in Lethbridge.