Like the cult classic 1985 movie The Breakfast Club, Squamish's breakfast club also deals with drug abuse. But our town's club is on the other side of the fence.
Started 14 years ago by six prominent businessmen and women, the Squamish Breakfast Club backs the local Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
"It was initially founded as a business networking breakfast club," said David Hildreth, the club's president. "But then the RCMP suggested we support the D.A.R.E. program."
The organization has grown to include 30 members. It hosts six functions a year, including the annual D.A.R.E. Golf Tournament and multiple forums that feature guest speakers.
The club chose to focus on preteens and teenagers because there seemed to be a lack of support in the community for those age groups, said Douglas Chiasson, the club's vice president. Currently all Grade 5 students in Squamish will go through the D.A.R.E. program. The club raises up to $10,000 annually for drug abuse prevention education.
"When you look at society, every facet deals with the side effects of drugs and alcohol," Chiasson said, pointing to the police, doctors and families. "Hopefully this program will alleviate some of the cost to society."
The club wants to raise enough cash to bring the program into the classrooms of older students. Starting at Grade 5 helps educate youth, but the message needs to be followed up down the road, Chiasson said.
As the club has grown it has also expanded its community involvement. Besides D.A.R.E., the organization donates annually to the Community Christmas Care, a project that provides gifts to underprivileged teenagers in Squamish. The club also raises money for groups such as Squamish Helping Hands Society.
"We gave out 142 presents last year," Hildreth said.
The breakfast club also hands out a $1,500 David Hildreth Prevention Scholarship to a graduating student each year. The scholarship's first recipient was Alexander Toews.
On Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 a.m. at Galileo Coffee at the Squamish Adventure Centre, the club is hosting a presentation on the "window into the culture and needs among the youth of Squamish." The event's presenters are the youth resource professionals of Squamish.
Everyone is welcome to attend the event. Membership in the Breakfast Club costs $150.
For more information visit www.squamishbrreakfastclub.com or call (604) 896-1552.
