A counseling program launched last year by the Charlene Reaveley Children's Charity Society for families with children that have experienced the loss of a loved one is already starting to see results.
Dan Reaveley, the president of the charitable organization, said 10 families have benefited from the initiative and he is hoping to raise money at a gala night next month to help others.
"The kids need somebody to talk to," he told The Tri-City News on Wednesday. "They need to talk or they start to shut down, or they act out in different ways. It is imperative that people get the help they need."
Reaveley knows first hand the challenges families face after tragedy strikes.
His wife, Charlene, was killed in a hit-and-run collision in February 2011 while helping a couple that had been involved in a car accident along the Lougheed Highway. She left behind four young children.
Friends and family of the couple launched the charity shortly after the incident in an effort to help families with children that have experienced a tragedy.
"This is our fourth one," he said of the charitable gala night. "Last year was a sold out show and this year we are getting pretty close again."
This year's event will feature a catered dinner, bar service, live and silent auctions, door prizes and live entertainment. There will also be a DJ and a photo booth on hand until 1 a.m.
Reaveley noted that a new entertainment act, the Duo San Samaara, will also be performing their aerial acrobat act (learn more at www.duosansamaraa.com).
The event takes place on April 4 in the Dogwood Pavilion's Mike Butler Room (624 Poirier Street) in Coquitlam.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $4.80 and are available by emailing [email protected], calling Jen at 604-723-6889 or Shannon at 604-339-6658. Tickets can also be purchased via PayPal at the Charlene Reaveley Children's Charity Society website at www.crccs.ca/charitable-gifts. For more information go to www.crccs.ca.
