Event coming for the disabled

With a CANDO attitude, Handy Circle offers those with special needs and disabilities an opportunity to have a bunch of fun Saturday at the Prince George Conference and Civic Center. “We’re so excited to hold our annual CANDO event,” Lorraine Young, event volunteer with the host organization Handy Circle Resource Society. The goal for the event is to offer an educational, socially inclusive occasion to those in attendance.

To make the event completely accessible for all, each person who is disabled or has special needs only pays $5 and their family, friends and caregivers who wish to accompany them pay $10. The event includes bingo, a fish pond, dinner, live entertainment, dancing and many prizes.

To coordinate the event that sees almost 200 people attend each of the last 21 years, Young said she begins the plans for the next one, the day after CANDO is held. “HandyDART has donated rides to the event for 21 years while PG Taxi has donated rides home after the event,” Young said. She said she’d also like to thank local service clubs, members of the business community, private donors, several local bands, as well as the hard work and dedication of the Can-Do volunteer committee for all their hard work.

The schedule starts with doors opening at 3 p.m. at the Civic Centre and bingo and fun at the fish pond starts at 3:30. Mayor Lyn Hall will offer a welcome to the event at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:30. The fish pond will be available until all the prizes are given out and karaoke, a performance by an Elvis impersonator, and the Elastic Band will entertain. There is a dance to follow. Donations of ticket sponsorship to make sure everyone who wishes to attend can would be appreciated or if anyone would like to donate small prizes for the fish pond, that would also be appreciated, Young added. Deadline to register is Thursday at the Handy Circle office, 101-490 Quebec St., or call 250-563-1852 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stay tuned as it unfolds post Pandemic.