Pubdate: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 Source: Nipawin Journal, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2008 The Nipawin Journal Contact: http://www.nipawinjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/867 Author: Melissa Mangelsen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) 18th ANNUAL P.E.A.C.E. 100 RAISES $21,000 FOR D.A.R.E. The 18th annual Police Elks Assisted Community Education (P.E.A.C.E.) 100 was held on Feb. 8 and 9, and despite the cold weather, was a success. Twenty-two riders braved the cold to raise money for the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program and enjoy some trailed snowmobiling in the area. The P.E.A.C.E. 100 is put on annually by the Nipawin Elks Lodge in conjunction with the Royal Purple to help raise money towards the D.A.R.E. program. Many dignitaries from the Elks and the Royal Purple were on hand to help celebrate this achievement and to get to know people in the area. Al Edwards of White Rock, B.C., Grand Exalted Ruler/National President of the Elks of Canada was in Nipawin for his first time for the event. He was pleased to see the support given to the Elks from community members in Nipawin, he was also happy to see service clubs working together to help make the community a better place. Debbie Waldon, Supreme Honoured Royal Lady was also at the banquet and awards to extend her congratulations to the riders for braving the cold. "I'm glad to see the help going to a program that is so needed in our province," said Waldon. Rene Shank, Drug and Organized Crime Awareness, Service "F" Division (Saskatchewan), was also there to extend his gratitude to the event and raising money for D.A.R.E. Over 30 officers were trained in the D.A.R.E. program this year and Saskatchewan currently has 149 active members teaching D.A.R.E. The D.A.R.E. program is offered in every school division in Saskatchewan and last year alone they reached out to 3,340 kids through 163 D.A.R.E. classes taught. Although some dispute the D.A.R.E. program and if it has any impact on children, Shank said he's not going to argue with the naysayers. "No one wins with arguing about it, it's just mudslinging," said Shank. The people involved in D.A.R.E. feels it makes a difference, and Shank said if it makes a difference to just one child it's worth it. "The D.A.R.E. program isn't credited with solving all problems, but it is a piece of the puzzle," said Shank. At this year's P.E.A.C.E. 100 two men from Saskatoon saw a TV ad for the P.E.A.C.E. and liked what they saw and thought it was a good cause, so they headed to Nipawin the morning of the event to participate. This year the P.E.A.C.E. 100 raised $6,041 in donations, $25,768 in ticket sales and will be donating between $20,000 and $21,000 to the D.A.R.E. program, reaching their goal that was set before the event. This year's riders prizes went to Gary Cory, John Barks of Melfort, Travis McKetsy of Saskatoon and Const. Derek Pineo. The first place of the draw was a Yamaha 350 Bruin 4x4 quad, which went to Ray Kalk of Pontrilas. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek