In the fairytale of Hansel and Gretel, the witch is defeated and the children are reunited with their father the woodcutter. Good triumphs over evil.
It’s a fitting theme for Roger Gisler’s gingerbread house on display at the Banff IGA this year, as far too many children in this province don’t get a happy ending when facing terminal illness, and that is something he wants to correct.
Normally gingerbread houses end up in the trash after the holiday season, but Gisler wanted to create something that would have a lasting impact beyond December.
“I wanted to do something for kids,” said Gisler.
Connecting with the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, Gisler and the IGA are raising funds and awareness about the importance of granting life-changing experiences for children who may not get to live a full life.
At the official unveiling of his Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house last Friday (Dec. 7) inside the store, there were big grins all around.
The biggest grin of all came from Sephaia Lutzer, 7, who was the guest of honour for the launch of the Children’s Wish campaign in Banff.
“I know I did the right thing,” Gisler said.
Lutzer suffers from a condition known as Neurofibromatosis Type 1, which causes painful tumors to develop in her body.
Earlier this year, the Children’s Wish Foundation granted her wish to travel to Africa to see her favourite animals on safari, something that Lutzer’s mother Nikaela said was life-changing for the precocious youngster.
“We’ve been really touched by the generosity of the public,” she said.
“So when we come into a situation where we get to meet people like Roger with the IGA here in Banff, its touching to me as a mother that people are going out of their way.”
“Everything that he does, everything that people donate goes to a child like Sephaia. Her illness is very real and it’s a reality for us as parents, so having people like this in the community is very touching.”
Since their trip, Lutzer has become an advocate for Children’s Wish, helping to raise awareness about how having positive life-changing experiences provide tangible quality of life improvements for children in need, along with their families and
extended communities.
Granting the wishes alleviates pain and emotional trauma in children, which leads to positive effects for their parents, caregivers, and even medical staff.
Over the past 30 years Children’s Wish has granted over 25,000 wishes across the nation, but wants to do more to reach areas that are currently underserved.
In the Bow Valley, only two families are currently involved in the Children’s Wish program, something that Carly Morrison, development coordinator for the Alberta and North West Territories branch of Children’s Wish, wants to change.
“Its important to us that the public understands that anyone can refer a family or a child, especially when the family is going through a difficult time.”
She says often the grief that comes with having a sick child often prevents families from feeling like they deserve to go on trips, or have something given to them.
The charity prides itself on not placing families onto waiting lists when granting wishes, providing immediate benefits to children in need.
“In Banff and Canmore, the communities speak for themselves. They have big hearts and this is a really special organization that we would like to create awareness for.”
Gisler’s gingerbread house will be on display until the New Year, and the Banff IGA is accepting donations for the Children’s Wish Foundation at their Elk Street location.
For more information on Children’s Wish, to make a donation directly or to refer a child, visit their website at www.childrenswish.ca.
