OLDS-DIDSBURY — The the annual Let’s Chalk About It campaign to raise awareness about mental health has begun.
Organizers had planned to start it Monday, May 4, but bumped it back due to the wet weather that day.
For the past six years, the Youth Empowerment and Support (YES) has co-ordinated Let’s Chalk About it in Olds and Didsbury as part of Mental Health Week, held the first week in May. The first partiicpants began drawing their messages in the vicinity of Centennial Park in Olds on May 5. More messages began appearing in Uptowne Olds and elsewhere on May 6.
Each year, about 1,000 students would write and draw positive messages to promote kindness and wellness.
This year, things are a bit different because the the YES program doesn’t have access to youth as it normally would, while they stay at home under COVID-19 protocols.
As a result, YES project coordinator Raelynn Notley says the organization is setting out free bags of sidewalk chalk at central locations in each community.
Residents are encouraged to pick up a bag and decorate a walkway or sidewalk to promote kindness, etc.
In Olds, bags of chalk are available outside the main doors of École Deer Meadow School and outside the front doors of the Boys & Girls Club of Olds and Area, at 5108 50 Ave.
In Didsbury, chalk is available in front of the main doors at Westglen School and Front Porch Realty, at 2009 20th Ave.
Each day, the bins are set out each morning at 9 a.m. and taken in at 4 p.m.
They’ll be made available until supplies run out.
“We remind community members to abide by social distancing regulations and to also provide proper supervision to children and youth to encourage positive messaging,” Notley says.
