Pubdate: Wed, 13 Feb 2008
Source: Nipawin Journal, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2008 The Nipawin Journal
Contact:  http://www.nipawinjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/867
Author: Melissa Mangelsen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

18th ANNUAL P.E.A.C.E. 100 RAISES $21,000 FOR D.A.R.E.

The 18th annual Police Elks Assisted Community  Education (P.E.A.C.E.)
100 was held on Feb. 8 and 9,  and despite the cold weather, was a
success.

Twenty-two riders braved the cold to raise money for  the Drug
Awareness Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)  program and enjoy some
trailed snowmobiling in the  area.

The P.E.A.C.E. 100 is put on annually by the Nipawin  Elks Lodge in
conjunction with the Royal Purple to help  raise money towards the
D.A.R.E. program.

Many dignitaries from the Elks and the Royal Purple  were on hand to
help celebrate this achievement and to  get to know people in the area.

Al Edwards of White Rock, B.C., Grand Exalted  Ruler/National
President of the Elks of Canada was in  Nipawin for his first time for
the event. He was  pleased to see the support given to the Elks from
community members in Nipawin, he was also happy to see  service clubs
working together to help make the  community a better place.

Debbie Waldon, Supreme Honoured Royal Lady was also at  the banquet
and awards to extend her congratulations to  the riders for braving
the cold.

"I'm glad to see the help going to a program that is so  needed in our
province," said Waldon.

Rene Shank, Drug and Organized Crime Awareness, Service  "F" Division
(Saskatchewan), was also there to extend  his gratitude to the event
and raising money for  D.A.R.E.

Over 30 officers were trained in the D.A.R.E. program  this year and
Saskatchewan currently has 149 active  members teaching D.A.R.E.

The D.A.R.E. program is offered in every school  division in
Saskatchewan and last year alone they  reached out to 3,340 kids
through 163 D.A.R.E. classes  taught.

Although some dispute the D.A.R.E. program and if it  has any impact
on children, Shank said he's not going  to argue with the naysayers.

"No one wins with arguing about it, it's just  mudslinging," said
Shank.

The people involved in D.A.R.E. feels it makes a  difference, and
Shank said if it makes a difference to  just one child it's worth it.

"The D.A.R.E. program isn't credited with solving all  problems, but
it is a piece of the puzzle," said Shank.

At this year's P.E.A.C.E. 100 two men from Saskatoon  saw a TV ad for
the P.E.A.C.E. and liked what they saw  and thought it was a good
cause, so they headed to  Nipawin the morning of the event to
participate.

This year the P.E.A.C.E. 100 raised $6,041 in  donations, $25,768 in
ticket sales and will be donating  between $20,000 and $21,000 to the
D.A.R.E. program,  reaching their goal that was set before the event.

This year's riders prizes went to Gary Cory, John Barks  of Melfort,
Travis McKetsy of Saskatoon and Const.  Derek Pineo.

The first place of the draw was a Yamaha 350 Bruin 4x4  quad, which
went to Ray Kalk of Pontrilas.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek