UNews - North & Company LLP

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s popular Play Day returning as in-person Family Day community event

trevor.kenney — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 22:42:23 +0000

Play Day is officially back — welcome to the jungle!

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will once again host an in-person Play Day community event on Family Day this year, the first time families have been able to gather and enjoy the free festival of play since 2020. Presented by North & Company LLP Law Offices, Play Day takes place Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Initiated in 2012, Play Day has turned into a Family Day tradition, bringing together families from throughout southern Alberta. In recent years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has had to hold the event virtually (2021) or cancel it altogether due to public safety measures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme — the jungle!

“When we started this as a pilot project over 10 years ago, I’m not sure anybody knew what to expect,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, ULethbridge president and vice-chancellor, the driving force behind the initial event. “The goal was simple — provide an opportunity for families to get together and just spend time playing. In today’s world, there are so few chances for families to be present with one another and just have some fun. I’m proud we’ve been able to present this to our community over the years.”

In 2019, North & Company jumped on board as a presenting sponsor. With more than half of their partners and associates having graduated from the U of L, they have built their practice in the Lethbridge community, while providing services to branch offices in Blairmore, Bow Island, Claresholm, Coaldale, High River, Milk River, Picture Butte, Pincher Creek, Taber, Vulcan and Warner.

“This event is a perfect fit for us and one we’re proud to support,” says Kerry Gellrich (BA '06), partner with North & Company LLP Law Offices. “We are a family-oriented legal firm and Play Day is all about celebrating family and the value of community and togetherness. We’re thrilled to be back in person again and can’t wait to play in the jungle!”

The jungle theme will permeate a full slate of activities spread throughout the 1st Choice Savings Centre. These include the massive cardboard fort building area (led by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Association), swimming in the Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre, access to the Ascent Climbing Centre’s climbing walls, gym activities like basketball and soccer, a host of scientific discovery areas, face painting stations and $5 meal packs to energize the whole family.

The call for volunteers has also begun, with positions from setup to face painting, food zone support and cleanup all available. Those looking to help with Play Day 2023 can sign up here.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and North & Company LLP readying to present 10th annual Play Day to community

trevor.kenney — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 21:04:59 +0000

Family Day is just around the corner, which means the annual ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Play Day, presented by North & Company LLP, is gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

But we can’t have Play Day when we’re shuttered in our houses and unable to gather, can we? That could not be farther from the truth, in fact, the power of play and all its benefits may be more important now than ever.

“For 10 years we’ve been able to provide a venue for families to gather on Family Day and celebrate being together in a play atmosphere,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, U of L president and vice-chancellor. “We obviously can’t supply the venue this year, but the essence of play isn’t confined to a specific place — it’s the act of play that matters, wherever you are.”

Instead of southern Albertans coming to the U of L for Play Day, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is reaching out to the world and instigating a Play Week that will run Monday through Friday, Feb. 15-20, offering play activities, suggestions and resources for families to take part in on their own time and in their own spaces.

“The heart of Play Day has always been about bringing family units together through play,” adds Mahon. “You don’t need to be on campus to do that. We’ll supply some ideas and some fun activities as a starting point and after that, families can take it wherever they want. The big thing is doing something together, remembering how to have fun and laugh — something I think we are all looking for these days.”

Imagination is the theme of the week as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ looks to spark creativity, generate ideas and inspire innovative thought. Through imagination, we learn and grow, and we adapt to changing circumstances.

The week will be comprised of three related elements: a series of interactive play videos aimed at children and families; an online community lecture on play and brain development with neuroscientists Dr. Robbin Gibb (BASc (BSc) ’77, MSc ’01, PhD ’04); and a social media campaign enabling families to share in elements of play and to educate everyone on the benefits of play for brain development and healthy communities.

A full list of activities will soon be available on a dedicated Play Day web page, while a specific Play Week Facebook Event will allow everyone to engage with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ by sharing their activities for a chance to win participatory prizes. The U of L Music Conservatory, Art Gallery, Pronghorn Athletics, Destination Exploration and PACT (Philanthropy, Advancement, Communication and Traditions student club) are all taking part.

“This is our third year supporting Play Day and we’re thrilled we’ve found a way to keep this tradition going despite the restrictions we are facing. This is an important community event and one families look forward to every year,” says Kerry Gellrich (BA '06), Partner, North & Company LLP, who confirms their sponsorship will continue forward. “That Play Day will now encompass a whole week and be available to everyone online means we can reach so many more families and keep engaging people in activities that support togetherness and community wellness.”

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ excited to welcome North & Company LLP as supporter of Play Day 2019

trevor.kenney — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:37:24 +0000

One of southern Alberta’s most established legal firms and community supporters, North & Company LLP, is on board to help deliver one of the region’s most attended family traditions, the annual ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Play Day.

What began as a pilot project in 2012 has grown into a Family Day mainstay, as the eighth annual Family Day play event will take place Monday, February 18, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

“We are a family-oriented legal firm with deep ties to both the community and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, so we’re very excited to partner with the U of L to present this wonderful event,” says Kerry Gellrich (BA '06), partner with North & Company LLP. “Play Day is a celebration of family and community and embodies the values of the people in our firm and the work we do here in southern Alberta.”

Play Day 2019 is following a Winter Wonderland theme and while winter is sometimes fleeting in our ever-changing climate, the fun that families will experience while at the U of L is a given.

“It’s hard to believe we are already in our eighth year, it seems as though it was just yesterday when we were dreaming up ideas for the first event,” says U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “That the event has become so popular tells me that southern Albertans understand the importance of family and how simply spending time together and playing together strengthens those bonds. The investment in quality family time is something our community really appreciates.”

Play Day activities for the Winter Wonderland include the classic Free Build cardboard fort building zone, along with a collection of sporting activities such as basketball, floor hockey, swimming and fitastic play. The U of L’s Ascent Climbing Centre is also available for play, while art activities and science-themed educational areas will be spread throughout the facility. And, of course, the ever-popular face painting zones will be as busy as ever.

North & Company LLP has been providing quality legal services to southern Alberta since it was established in 1973. With more than half of their partners and associates having graduated from the U of L, they have built their practice in the Lethbridge community, while providing services to branch offices in Blairmore, Claresholm, Coaldale, High River, Milk River, Picture Butte, Pincher Creek, Taber, Vulcan and Warner.

“We’re thrilled to welcome North & Company LLP as our new community sponsor,” says Mahon. “Their commitment to the southern Alberta area and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is well established, and their willingness to give back to our community through these types of endeavours is greatly appreciated.”

Perhaps the best aspect of Play Day is that it’s free to everyone. There is no charge for admission or parking and people are encouraged to bring gym shoes, comfortable clothing and a swimsuit to enjoy all the activities. An added bonus for those who attend Play Day is 15 per cent off regular priced Horns Summer Camp registration fees.

Check out Facebook for event details.

UNews - North & Company LLP

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s popular Play Day returning as in-person Family Day community event

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