Help fill 5 Anti-Anxiety Packs by Xmas: Reduce Stress for Kids/Teens over Holidays

OTTAWA and KANATA, ON, Dec. 14, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - This year instead of more socks, you can give a gift that gives back immediately with a bit more calm and peace on earth (well around the house anyway).

This pre-filled backpack is lightweight and ready to roll with items to help kids with Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ADHD. Giving one of these packs to a child or teenager who really needs it will go a long way to helping at what can be a really stressful and 'sensory overloading' time of the year. 

The special tools in the pack come with some counseling know-how and are fully portable – you can take them on a road trip, to grandmas and even to school or other events after the holiday rush is done. 

With just over 10 days left on the clock, Project Anxiety needs your help.

Terrace Youth counsellors are trying to spread the word and get at least 5 of these packs out the door for those who need it most, but they need your help. You can help by donating any amount (there are great perks) and telling everyone in your network.  Project Anxiety is doing an additional fundraiser with local cookie sales soon. The special cookie dough has another local fundraising connection –purchased from Ottawa Mission as part of their Hope Rises fundraiser – All cookies sold benefit the Mission and help fill Anxiety packs for kids.

As project leader, Ms. Melissa Hawes  at The Terrace Youth Wellness Centre explains that while designed for kids/youth, everyone (including adults) can benefit from sensory tools in the pack. "We believe that all children deserve the right tools to support their sensory needs. Every child has 6 sensory systems: touch, hearing/balance, sight, smell, taste, and self. They require organization and support in each of these systems."

Often sensory needs are associated with other mental health issues. Items in the backpacks can be used individually or all together to assist with specific calming/refocusing needs. For example, the fiber optics molecule ball can be used as a distraction, and as a tool for calming, refocus/redirection or stress relief.

These Project Anxiety packs are a simple and affordable solution that can be used and reused 365 days a year. The goal is to get 5 Anti-Anxiety back packs out by December 24th to Ottawa-area kids in greatest need.  Everyone talks about 'hard to buy for' relatives. So, instead of another kitchen tool or socks, give the gift of less stress and better mental health for kids.  

How the tools work:  at school, kids/teens can take out a calming, refocusing or fidget tools to aid them in re-focusing on school work.  If kids are not managing the evening routines well at home, again – they can go off and get out one of the calming tools (like the lava lamp). After some quiet time, they can rejoin evening routines refocused. All items are all lightweight and easily portable. Perfect for holiday a travel stress when kids are out of routine and more.

These tools can only work if they get into the right hands. The fundraising goal is 5 packs or $745.00 (Canadian). Five packs will be donated to local families in most in need. 

Check out awesome perks including: telephone and in-person counselling sessions, tools from the kit and much more. For only $5 (less than a fancy coffee) you get a personal or business "shout out" on FB and a 15-minute telephone consultation (for your child, parent or teacher).  For $10 (less than lunch) you get a one page 'cheat sheet' with a quick overview on how to cope with anxiety or sensory processing issues. For $25 get one of the sensory items from the backpack. At $50, give a gift of peace for Christmas, and get this incredible (CHEAP) marketing opportunity. Get your business name (or individual name) posted on their The Terrace Youth Wellness Centre   Face Book page for six months. Project Anxiety can help so many so easily– but we need your help to fill 5 before the end of December. Grab these great tools for friends, family or teachers' gifts. It's a tangible way to gift a bit of anti-stress 'peace on earth' for a child or young adult today.  Check out the Project Anxiety campaign and share the links widely.

Indiegogo Project Anxiety Campaign Link

SOURCE Terrace Youth Wellness Centre

The Terrace Youth Wellness Centre, E-mail: [email protected], @TerraceyouthWC on Twitter, Tel: [phone]