Overview of C.H.I.P.S.

Wetaskiwin Children's Indoor Play Society, or CHIPS as it is more commonly known as, is a non-profit organization that has been a part of the Wetaskiwin community for 25 years. It is an organization that provides a venue for the children (ages newborn to kindergarten age) of the community to come and interact together, learn play and communication skills, and allows parents to congregate and visit together. The large membership base provides one of the sources of revenue for the club, and a portion of this money helps to support the purchase of new equipment and toys as well as help to offset operational expenses. The cost of membership is $40.00/child to a maximum of $100/ family with the following additional commitments: generat­ing funds through two fundraisers, bringing snacks for one of the monthly parties, and working one toy wash.

The club's year runs from September to April and has closures that correspond with school closures and statutory holidays. CHIPS operates out of the Drill Hall in Wetaskiwin during the hours of 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays each week.

This year brought many new changes to this orga­nization with the development of a website (www.chipswetaskiwin.com),launching of a CHIPS clothing line and special events such as a visit from one of the members of the local fire department accompanied by the ladder fire truck, a visit from one of the members of the local police detachment discussing stranger danger,and street smarts, also accompanied by one of the police ars with lights and sirens a blazing. Lastly, a nurse from the health unit came to discuss bike safety and the proper use and fit of helmets.

CHIPS has two semi-annual used toy and clothing sales that occur in October and April. These sales benefit both the organization and the community by helping to raise funds for the club through table rental and admission fees and also allow the constituents of Wetaskiwin and the surrounding communities a means to earn some money through the sale of their used goods.

CHIPS also works in conjunction with other community groups in order to support their cause and promote a sense of unity among non-profit organizations. For instance each year CHIPS works with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) to help launch the Secret Santa program in November. As well, CHIPS employs individuals from the Horizons Centre to help with setting up and dismantling of the equipment each day that CHIPS is open. Thus, providing these individuals a source of income and a sense of accomplishment. Lastly, CHIPS is governed by a board of 12 elected members that holds yearly elections, and involvement in the board is strongly encouraged to the membership. Each position requires a time commitment of one year.

CHIPS is an organization that is proud of the service that it provides for the families of this community, and it looks forward to the future and the many new endeavors before it.

Kim Meyers

President of CHIPS