Horizon Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are excited to be doing “Fall Food Fill Up” again this Fall!  Watch for the Hurricanes in local grocery stores September 16th, 30th, October 7th & 14th collecting food and cash donations for the Wetaskiwin Salvation Army Food Bank.  Donations of non perishable foods will also be accepted at Horizons Centre until October 14, 2016 between the hours of 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday! We are looking to exceed last year’s total of $1300.00 cash and 500 lbs of food!

Horizons Hurricanes is a starting point for individuals to learn and practice advocacy skills, then to move onto participating in the community and regional groups as they are interested.  Hurricanes mission statement reflects this idea and states they are “Self-Advocates of the future”.  Due to the large number of individuals that participate in the Hurricanes, there are two groups that meet on Friday’s.  One meets in the morning and one meets in the afternoon.  Each group determines their own activities.  Every Friday at noon, the elected Hurricanes Directors meet to brainstorm ideas and make Hurricanes’ decisions.

The Hurricanes promote self-advocacy by naming a “Self-Advocate of the Month”.  Peers and staff are able to nominate individuals throughout the organization that display leadership and self-advocacy skills in their daily lives.  All nominations are reviewed by the Hurricanes members, who then vote to select the winner.

The Hurricanes have set their main goals as:

1. Networking
2. Community Involvement
3. Helping Others

The Hurricanes are active in the Horizons organization and the community, planning and participating in many events throughout the year.  Below are a few examples of what Hurricanes have been involved in this past year:

• Collected donations and filled shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child
• Food drives for the Salvation Army Food Bank, multiple times per year
• Random acts of kindness in February, baked and gave out free cookies
• Planned and organized fundraising souvenir sales at the Legion on Canada Day
• Sold poppies and tea for Remembrance Day and donated the proceeds to the “Poppy Fund”
• Organized a presentation for Horizons Centre on the significance of Remembrance Day
• Prepared a presentation on Anti-Bullying, for Pink Shirt Day
• Prepared a presentation on Employment and Inclusion, for classes at the Wetaskiwin Composite High School
• Participated in Wetaskiwin's community clean up
• Decorated the Long Term Care Unit at the hospital (ongoing)