LITTLE CURRENT—Knight Cruisers Classic Car Club of Espanola member Denis Blake dropped by the Manitoulin OPP Detachment headquarters (also the Manitoulin North Shore Victim Services office) bearing gifts from his club.
“As a club we decide which groups we will donate to,” said Mr. Blake. Following his presentation to the club on behalf of Manitoulin North Shore Victims’ Services (MNSVS), the club decided they were a worthy cause and earmarked a $700 donation.” The car club regularly donates to organizations in the area through their fundraising efforts,” noted Mr. Blake. “We have 52 members and once a year we make donations, to food bank, hospitals. I proposed Manitoulin North Shore Victims’ Services and the club decided to make the donation.
“We are going to add these funds to our additional programs, Project Lifesaver and the Mobile Tracking Program, these will help ensure the programs can continue,” said MNSVS executive director Amy Collins, who along with program coordinator Cindy Stewart were on hand to accept the cheque.
MNSVS’ primary goal is to assist victims of crime in the Espanola, Manitoulin and Northshore areas. The organization is part of the Ontario Network of Victim Services Providers and provides services within the Manitoulin-Northshore region. This includes all of Manitoulin Island and the Northshore from Walford/Sagamok to Nairn Centre, including Espanola, Birch Island, etc.
There are two main programs that form part of those efforts.
The Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario Program provides crisis intervention services to victims of crime and tragic circumstances after an incident 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the request of the police. Manitoulin Northshore Victim Services also provides services at the request of other community agencies, medical services, and by self-referral during our office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays).
The Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+) is intended to provide timely assistance to eligible victims of the most violent crime. This program provides short-term financial support toward essential expenses for victims, their immediate family members and witnesses in the immediate aftermath of a violent crime to help reduce the impact of the crime, enhance safety and meet immediate practical needs that are a result of the crime.
VQRP+ is available to individuals who have no other financial means (e.g. private insurance) where there is no publicly funded program available.
Mr. Blake brought along his vintage Z28 sportscar for a cheque presentation backdrop and following that presentation, Ms. Collins was treated to a ride in the vehicle. Mr. Blake assures The Expositor that the vehicle would not be travelling more than 10 kilometres over the speed limit.
