For 15 years, volunteers who work at DFH Real Estate offices in Sidney and Greater Victoria have been helping parents keep their children a little safer.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, DFH offices in Sidney, Victoria, Saanich and the West Shore will host Child Find clinics.
Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., parents can bring their children under the age of 12 to those offices and have them fingerprinted by local police, a current photo taken and their height documented.
Organizer Susan Dunn with DFH in Sidney says the information is collected and put in packages for the parents to keep — just in case. The information would be used by the parents in the case of a missing child. Dunn added the information gatherd is for the parents — the police do not keep the files.
“We try to make the child feel at ease and have fun,” she added, noting there will be refreshments, treats, balloons and games for the kids and for their families.
For the first 100 families to take part, Dunn said they will receive reflective Halloween trick or treat bags.
The clinics were spearheaded by DFH 15 years ago in Sidney by Mary Jane Roberton.
Dunn was involved back then as well and said they did it because Roberton loved kids and wanted to do what she could to help.
Dunn herself became involved with Child Find as a board member in Victoria. While she is no longer on the board, she said she remains involved in organizing the annual event.
Invitations have been sent out to schools who wish to participate in Child Find and Dunn added anyone is also welcome to drop in and take part.
The Sidney DFH office is located at 2395 Beacon Ave., at the corner of Fifth Street.