What We DO
TIMELINE
We started with an idea, and the hope to make a difference. This is how far we've come.
(Events below are in chronological order, with the most recent at the top.)
Jenny Ogilvie, "The Unconventional Medium"
May 24, 2024
We tried something new and the response was fantastic.
Jennie was funny, shared personal stories, had messages from beyond for some of our guests.
She made as laugh and cry all on the same night.
Country Roads, Take Me Home
January 20, 2024
We love our farming community and we show appreciation to our farmers by having an appreciation night.
Great food, great company, great public speakers and great music.
It's hard not to have a great time at this event. We've been lucky to have Jackie Rae from 840 CFCW as our MC each year.
Nelly's Project 7 - Oktoberfest
September 23, 2023
This was fun! We decided to have Oktoberfest in September to beat the rush...it was a great decision.
We had Danny Hooper our MC and Auctioneer, trying to speak German, which was good for a laugh.
The caterer indulged our guests with some German style dishes and some of our guests even dressed in traditional costumes.
The best part of the night was during the wild card auction when our Mom donated a live rooster to be auctioned off. That bird was like a hot potato being sold and resold over and over again, raising $1,000. You never know what to expect at our events, which added to the excitement.
The Unlikeliest Tough Guy
February 24, 2023
Georges Laraque spoke at RF Staples to the High School students, and gave an inspiring presentation at our event in the evening.
"What an incredible night!! 👏👏Thanks for sharing your stories George Laraque (NHL tough guy) & Ryan Straschnitzki (Humbolt Broncos survivor). You both are an inspiration to us all!! 💞To keep pushing forward when so many adversities stand in your way!!
George-you pursued your dream of being in the NHL when you had a very troubling upbringing and no support. Amazing that you didn’t give up along the way. Will need to read your book. “The Unlikeliest Tough Guy”
Ryan-thanks for taking the opportunity to speak to us virtually and share your experience and still pursue playing hockey (sledge hockey) after such a devastating crash that left you with a spinal chord injury. “When one door closes another opens!” -as your dad would say
Incredible!! Thanks for the question period too with the panel.
Again, incredible job to Christine and the “Soul Sisters Memorial Foundation” -Michelle Zoschke (event attendee)
Farmers Appreciation Night
January 20, 2023
Hometown Hockey Hero with Special Guest Danny Zzzz
August 13, 2022
Road to Mental Readiness
March 14, 2020
Farmer’s Mental Health First Aid
March 2, 2020
Playing with Fire
February 21, 2020
2nd annual Farmer’s Appreciation Night
January 20, 2020
Nelly’s Necessities – Season 4
December 8, 2019
Life After Loss, Grief & Bereavement Session
November 7, 2019
Nelly’s Night in Paris
September 28, 2019
Building Healthy Relationships
May 25, 2019
Road to Mental Readiness
April 18, 2019
Tackling Mental Health
February 22, 2019
Farming is our Foundation
January 21, 2019
Nelly’s Necessities
December 5, 2018
Transformation: Conscious Leadership
November 7, 2018
Life after Loss – Bereavement Support Group
November 2, 2018
Nelly’s Project 5
September 22, 2018
Spiralling Steps – The Ups & Downs of Mental Illness
June 13, 2018
Growing up With Selfies, Sexting & Snapchat!
May 18, 2018
The Balancing Act of Stress & Self Care – Our first workshop in Barrhead!
March 29, 2018
10 Ways to Build Confident Children – First Workshop in Morinville!
February 28, 2018
Self Worth – The Missing Link
February 27, 2018
“The Crazy Game”
February 23, 2018
Safe Talk – Suicide Alertness Training
January 31, 2018
Nelly’s Necessities – Season 2
December 15, 2017
🎁It’s a wrap! 🎁
Thank you to everyone that gave gently used purses, scarves, jewellery, toiletries and cosmetics! We were able to fill 80 purses and 30 packages for men. These packages will be delivered to Ambrose Place, Jessica Martel Foundation, FCSS Westlock & Hope Resource Centre.
Our first workshop in Morinville!
November 15, 2017
We are super excited to announce our first workshop in Morinville!
Nelly’s Project 4
September 23, 2017
4 years in a row, Blair has given a speech and Danny has a “cash appeal” – this is where the guests in the audience donate to a cause. This year, as a generous and supportive community, we were able to give the Robb Nash Project $50,000. Our 3 year total to the Robb Nash Project is just under $200,000 – that means our community and surrounding area, have helped Robb travel to 40 schools!! This is absolutely amazing! Thank you for helping us make some
Robb Nash Appreciation Night in Winnipeg
May 20, 2017
This past Monday, my grandson Blair and I had the pleasure of being invited to the Park Theatre in Winnipeg for a presentation/appreciation night for the Robb Nash Project. With the help of our community and guests that attend our annual fundraiser, we have been able to give just over $150,000 to the Robb Nash Project!!
Hats on for Mental Health
May 4, 2017
Hats on for Mental Health – Pembina North School graciously donated a loonie for every student that wore a hat to school for Mental Health Awareness Week! ✨What a pleasant and generous surprise!✨
Wildrose REA Rural Roots Award
March 17, 2017
I just arrived home from my daily trip to Morinville and had a wonderful voicemail on my phone! Stewart from Wildrose REA in Westlock called to tell me that Soul Sisters Memorial Foundation was the recipient of the Rural Roots Award for 2017!! This award is given to an organization that enhances the community they live in! Yay! Our first award!
Safe Talk – Suicide Alertness Training
January 25, 2017
Safe Talk – Suicide Alertness Training. A free workshop facilitated by Jessica Link, designed to assist you in recognizing the signs of someone in distress.
Nelly’s Necessities
December 18, 2016
We delivered parcels to Ambrose Place! Gently used scarves, jewellery & purses were filled with essentials! We had so much fun and some great donations – thanks everyone!
Life After Loss – Our First Grief & Bereavement Support Group
November 1, 2016
Life After Loss – Our First Grief & Bereavement Support Group.
“The Art of Loving Myself” Workshop
October 13, 2016
Laurie Davis facilitated a great workshop called “The Art of Loving Myself”.
Nelly’s Project 3
September 24, 2016
We held our third fundraiser Nelly’s Project 3 and it was another successful event featuring Carolyn Dawn Johnson!
Travelled to Winnipeg for the Robb Nash Sponsor Appreciation Night
May 13, 2016
As proud supporters of the Robb Nash Project, we had the chance to go to Winnipeg for an Appreciation night.
Began a Monthly Article in the Westlock News
January 15, 2016
Christine started writing a monthly news article to the Westlock News. Some of the topics were on mental illness & wellness, suicide prevention and awareness. The articles are meant to focus around the issues of mental health as an overall state of concern in many aspects the world today.
Presentation to the Athabasca Interagency Group
October 15, 2015
We presented our organization to Athabasca Interagency Group. The Athabasca Interagency Group consists of the RCMP, Alberta Health Services along with a few other non-profit organizations.
Nelly’s Project 2
September 26, 2015
We held our second annual fundraiser named Nelly’s Project 2 which was hosted by Danny Hooper as master of ceremonies. CMA nominees the Boom Chucka Boys came out and played their hearts out for the people and stole the night with the entertainment. Robb Nash captivated the entire hall with his presentation.
Robb Nash came to Westlock
September 24, 2015
We brought the Robb Nash Project to RF Staples for his first of what would soon be many visits to Westlock.
Mental Health Week in Westlock
September 20, 2015
This week of September 20th – 26th, has been declared Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness Week by the Town of Westlock.
Ambrose Place BBQ
June 20, 2015
We supplied and hosted a BBQ for Ambrose Place a home for Indigenous people with schizophrenia in Edmonton. Soul Sisters supplied the food and brought clean, gently used clothing to give away. We also offered haircuts and gift bags for over 60 people.
Soul Sisters donates to Westlock Victim Services from the proceeds of Nelly’s Project
October 17, 2014
Our first cheque presentation – $60,230.00 – from “Nellys’ Project” goes to Westlock Victim Services! Thank you everyone for your generous donations!
Soul Sisters donates to Pilgrims Hospice from the proceeds of Nelly’s Project
October 16, 2014
The Soul Sisters Memorial Foundation’s 2nd cheque presentation to the Pilgrims Hospice Society of $102,810.00 from proceeds of Nellys’ Project! Thank you everyone for making this possible with your overwhelming generosity!
Our First Free Course – “Safe Talk”
October 6, 2014
We offered our first FREE course to the public & community. We brought in a course called Safe Talk – which is a suicide prevention course. We only had 8 people attend the first outing.
We held our first fundraising event named Nelly’s Project
September 27, 2014
The first event we held was a fundraiser in order to start our mission of providing education. It was called Nelly’s Project named after Jeanelle.
Soul Sisters Memorial Foundation Began
February 14, 2014
Soul Sisters Memorial Foundation was started after Jeanelle Christine Vachon Lobsinger was lost to suicide. The organization began with Jeanelle’s mother Christine Vachon and her aunts Karen Zadunayski, Kelly Dul and Colleen Young.
