Child Witness Centre event raises over $54,000
WATERLOO – Child Witness Centre’s (CWC) 28th Annual Pancake Lunch took place on Feb. 17 at St. George Banquet Hall in Waterloo.
The centre and event emcee, Angie Hill of Bounce Radio 99.5, welcomed over 360 attendees, including sponsors, agency partners, community leaders, donors, volunteers and other supporters.
Local young victims of abuse and crime will benefit from over $54,000 raised by the non-profit’s signature fundraising event.
The funds came through event sponsorships, ticket sales, a 50/50 draw, a silent auction and donations.
Most of the food and beverages were donated to help reduce expenses. The funds raised are enough to help at least 54 children and youth navigating the justice system – including during criminal investigations and court trials – officials say.
It costs an average of $1,000 per year to support each client.
The funds come at a vital time when CWC is striving to avoid the return of a waitlist, which was eliminated a year ago, officials add.
The agency has almost 16 new young clients come its way every week on average, and officials struggled with the inability for two and a half years to provide the immediate support every child deserves, they say. This was due to insufficient funding and stretched resources, which continue to be a threat.
“The Pancake Lunch, held once again on Shrove Tuesday, was an amazing gathering of community members showing so much heart for kids and their families to heal from their painful experiences and move forward with wellbeing,” officials say.
All the generosity demonstrated translates into trauma-informed care, advocacy and hope for brighter futures, they add.
The event was also an opportunity for CWC executive director Robin Heald to share the large need for, and huge impact of, their agency’s services.
She announced the launch of their “Survivor’s Circle” campaign which brings together survivors like Heald, and allies to help children when it’s needed most and break the cycle of harm.
Manager of frontline programs and partnerships Rebecca Heibein-Kursikowski took to the stage as well, to recognize the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) of Waterloo Region’s 10th anniversary in 2026.
A celebration is coming this May.
Heibein-Kursikowski also introduced the crowd to Brady, the agency’s new facility dog, who is the first K9 to provide support during forensic interviews at the CYAC.
The CWC team thanks those who supported its annual event and who champions its work.
Those interested can learn more and donate at childwitness.com.
