Continuing the Search

Team Effort Sees Valor Howell Reunited with Family

2011-07-12T11:38:00.001-07:00

Today, MCSC was recognized in the AMECO newsletter for our hard work in reuniting Valor Howell with his father Garrett. As an international association of nonprofit organizations, AMECO provides an unified voice on issues related to missing and exploited children and their families, and nurtures credible, ethical and effective nonprofit member organizations.

One of the most quick moving and more complicated cases MCSC has ever worked on, it is especially with thanks to our partners at WestJet for enabling us to bring Valor home!

The following story of successful teamwork was written by Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC), an AMECO member organization.

CALGARY - On May 29, 2011, Garrett Taylor received the incredible news that his son Valor had been found. The boy had been missing for nearly 7 years - abducted by his non-custodial mother at the young age of 3 years old.

In the days that followed, the world learned the incredible circumstances of Valor's location. The boy was discovered when his mother was arrested in Arizona for causing a disturbance in a laundromat. The police identified that the woman was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for abducting her son almost 7 years earlier. One week later, the boy was reunited with his family and back at home in Kelowna, BC.

Garrett Taylor (left) and his son Valor Howell (right) reunited.

On the surface, the reunification seemed to go quickly and smoothly. In reality, it was an extremely complicated ordeal - one that involved an incredible amount of assistance from many organizations.

MCSC investigator, Wendy Christensen, describes the team effort that took place:

"Four days after Valor was located, MCSC was contacted by the BC Central Authority on The Hague Convention and by the Association of Missing and Exploited Children's Organizations (AMECO) with a request to help facilitate the reunification process. While we were not involved on an investigative level in this case, our team took action to connect with networks in Canada and the US to begin streamlining Valor's entry into Canada.

Thanks to WestJet - a long-time Search Partner of MCSC - we were able to immediately coordinate transportation for Garret to fly to Arizona to pick up his son and for them to return to BC.

We connected with the RCMP and other organizations involved letting them know the flights had been arranged. Concerns were then raised as to whether Valor, now 10 years old, would be able to return to Canada as it was believed he only had an expired passport. While we continued to liaise with our partners and various government contacts to work out Valor's paperwork, we contacted WestJet again to let them know about this possible roadblock.

The WestJet team jumped in again, connecting us with contacts that were invaluable to making this reunification possible. The WestJet team became involved on a level that I can honestly say was amazing.

There were so many challenges that weekend, I questioned whether we could make things happen. Without WestJet's Jenifer Van Meenen, Mack Cyrzan and John Watts, it could not have. They reached out to contacts that I was unaware that they had and made a very problematic and challenging case almost seamless.

They even took care to ensure that WestJet staff were available to provide the two with anything that they ne

eded during their trip. The selfless and caring acts that they performed that weekend leave me feeling humbled to say that very least.

Our thanks and appreciation is also extended to the RCMP, the Central Authority in BC, Canada Border Services, the Association of Missing and Exploited Children's Association (AMECO), the Canadian Consulate, Child Protective Services in the US, the police department in Chandler, Arizona and their Victims Services Unit, and US Department of State and the Canadian and US Airport Authorities."

From all of us at MCSC, welcome home Valor!

See the full AMECO newsletter here

$10,000 reward announced in Tamra Keepness case

2011-07-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

MCSC reward for information marks 7th anniversary of disappearance

Tomorrow, July 5th, marks 7 years since little Tamra Keepness vanished from her home in Regina. In an ongoing effort to encourage the public to come forward with information, the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) has announced a limited-time offer of $10,000 for information leading to Tamra’s whereabouts. The reward offer boosts the $25,000 reward that is currently being offered by Regina Police.

“Someone out there knows what happened to Tamra,” explained Bob Moseley, a former police detective and an MCSC Investigator assisting in Tamra’s case. “We are offering them an opportunity to help find this child, and to collect a sizeable reward in return. But this is a limited time offer, and we need the public to come forward now.”

MCSC’s reward of $10,000 will expire in one month on August 6th, 2011. Until that time, someone who holds a key piece of information in Tamra’s case has the chance to collect a total of $35,000 in combination with the Regina Police’s reward offer.

Help us raise awareness on the disappearance of Tamra and the reward being offered by visiting our Facebook page and sharing the photo of this poster to your network – because the search must continue.

Donor Update: Courtney Struble Case

2011-05-30T10:40:00.001-07:00

With support from the Missing Children Society of Canada, the RCMP Historical Case Unit based in Saskatchewan has now declared the case of missing child Courtney Struble a homicide.

Courtney has been missing since July of 2004. 13 years old, Courtney finished watching a movie with friends and declined a ride home, instead walking along Highway 39 on the western outskirts of Estevan. She has not been seen since.
The Saskatchewan Lifestyles reports:

Corporal Robert Zentner from the RCMP unit said they studied all the information compiled by the other agencies during their investigations, and then decided that they were dealing with a murder case.
We have had an opportunity to … listen to all of the statements, and piece together the events that were taking place at the time that Courtney disappeared," said Zentner. "From there, based on obviously our experience in working with other missing persons or homicide cases, we believe, obviously, that something bad happened to Courtney Struble on the night she disappeared."

MCSC is proud to have worked closely with the Estevan Police Service in making strides forward in this case. MSCS was able to dedicate countless hours of research and investigation with donations from the residents of Estevan and surrounding areas. We are both proud of our donors for their never ending belief in our mission, and humbled by their ongoing support.
Thank you! It is because of you that our search can continue.
See the full article here.
To donate to the MCSC, click here.

Help us Light the Way Home on May 25th, National Missing Children’s Day

2011-05-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Help us “Light the Way Home” for Missing Children

On May 25th, 1979, six-year-old Etan Patz kissed his mother goodbye and started off to catch the school bus waiting just two blocks from his New York City home. It was the first time Etan had ever been allowed to walk to the bus stop alone. His mother, Julia, stood and watched as her son playfully made his way down the first block. In those few moments it would have taken Etan Patz to walk the remaining block, he disappeared.

There are thousands of horrifying stories just like Etan’s all across North America, stories of children who seemingly vanish without a trace. For the families of these children, the years can go by without any answers, and pain and emptiness remains a constant companion. Hope may begin to fade.

In commemoration of all missing children, the anniversary of Etan's disappearance was designated as National Missing Children’s Day across North America.

In Canada, the Missing Children Society of Canada coordinates our national “Light the Way Home” campaign each May leading up to National Missing Children’s Day on May 25^th. Now in its 16^th year, our Light the Way Home campaign aims to reach out to all Canadians from coast to coast with our message of how they can help us light the way home for our missing children. We rely on the community’s support to help us continue the search for missing children.

This May, we ask you to lend your support in a variety of ways:

1. Show your support for our searching families by sending a personal "Message of Hope". Your heartfelt and touching messages are collected and shared with our searching families as a show of your support in their continued search. The response we get from these messages is always overwhelmingly emotional. Visit us online at www.mcsc.ca to submit your message.

2. Light a candle at 8:00pm on the evening of May 25^th in remembrance and in hope of all missing children. This simple act is a touching way for you and your family to make a personal connection with the hope and commitment we share with searching families everywhere.

3. View our online directory of Missing Children and help us continue the search by making an online donation at www.mcsc.ca.

Over 50,000 children are reported missing in Canada every year. That's an average of 1 child every 10 minutes. Together, we can help Light their Way Home.

MCSC announces official partnership with Child Find Alberta!

2011-05-11T13:25:00.001-07:00

At MCSC, we are excited to announce a landmark relationship in the search for missing children in Canada by forging a partnership between the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) and Child Find Alberta (CFA).

Officially announced today via a video press release, the new partnership will see the two organizations officially collaborate in reaching their common goals. Both organizations see the huge potential in combining our assets – CFA with their expertise in education and MCSC with our expertise in investigation and reunification.

MCSC is thrilled to have the chance to work with CFA and we look forward to sharing all the exciting projects and successes that come of it!

Click here to see the official press release

We’ve got good news. And more good news.

2011-05-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

First, the good news.

We are helping more families and locating more missing children than ever before. Last year, we successfully closed one missing child file every 4.5 days.

Missing children like Maribel. This little girl had been abducted by her non-custodial mother and taken to Romania in March 2010. After nearly a year of navigating red tape and negotiating with international authorities, we were thrilled to reunite Maribel with her father, John Galle, in Toronto this February - just in time to celebrate her 6th birthday.

Our in-house team of retired police detectives and highly trained investigators are on the frontlines of our many cases - just like Maribel’s - following up on credible tips, and connecting with our law
enforcement networks. Our active investigations are supported by key tools like our Child Search Alerts, reward offers for information, our online directory, and our anonymous 24-hour toll-free tip line or our confidential email tips.

We are the only non-profit organization in Canada that is actively searching for missing children - and we’re honoured to be keeping the search alive every day.

Now for more good news. You can be part of our support team:

1. Give Help: You can directly support our search efforts by making a donation.
2. Give Hope: You can show your support to our searching families by sending us your personal Message of Hope on the enclosed message card. We will share your message with them.
3. Take Action: You can take a personal action to stop child abduction in your community by joining our I STOP movement.

Please donate today to help us continue the search for missing children like Maribel. Your donation can help us bring more children home.

Thank you for being part of the search.

Sincerely,
Amanda Pick
Executive Director

MCSC honoured by Calgary’s Mayor

2011-05-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

We’re thrilled to be kick starting our Light the Way Home campaign with a special recognition letter from Calgary’s Mayor Naheed Nenshi!

MCSC is very proud to work for families of missing children across Canada – our mission to reunite all missing children with their searching families is something we hope will inspire all Canadians. We feel very honoured to have the support of Mayor Nenshi and his team!

Call for Event Volunteers!

2011-04-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Missing Children Society of Canada

Call for Volunteers

The Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) hosts and partners on a number of fundraising and awareness events throughout the year which would not be possible without the support of volunteers!

National Missing Children’s Day: The Calgary Airport Authority celebrates National Missing Children’s Day but increasing awareness to parents travelling with children. Volunteers help us hand out colouring books and crayons to children at the Calgary International Airport.

Date: Wednesday, May 25^th
Place: Calgary International Airport
Time: 10am – 3pm
Number of Volunteers Required: 4 – 6

Candlelight Gala: The Candelight Gala is an evening to honour the families of missing children, still searching for their loved ones. Gala Volunteers help with registration, hosting and silent auction.

Date: Thursday, May 26^th
Place: The Fairmont Palliser
Time: 6pm – 10:30pm
Number of Volunteers Required: 10 – 15

Golf Tournament: This year’s MCSC Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Springbank Links, where golfers will be put to task on one of Calgary’s most challenging courses. Volunteers help with event set up, silent auction and event take down.

Date: Tuesday, August 9^th
Place: Springbank Links, North West of Calgary
Time: Early morning volunteers (6 – 10am) and afternoon volunteers (2 – 6pm)
Number of Volunteers Required: 4 – 6 for each shift

Calgary Police Association Rodeo: The CPA Rodeo, the only police association rodeo in Canada, is an amateur competition featuring contestants from all over the police community throughout Canada and the USA. Volunteers help with gate admission and the 50/50 raffle.

Date: Saturday, August 20^th
Place: Airdrie, Alberta
Time: 9am – 5pm
Number of Volunteers Required: 15

For more information on volunteering with the MCSC, please contact Alix Woods, Development Associate, at awoods@mcsc.ca

Light the Way Home!

2011-04-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Each May, our annual ‘Light the Way Home’ campaign shows searching families that we all stand with them in their hopeful search. Last year, we asked for your Messages of Hope - and we received hundreds of heartfelt messages for our families.

This year, we also want your help. Through our I STOP movement, you can take a personal action to stop child abduction.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of MCSC. To mark the occasion, MCSC launched “I STOP”, our national grassroots campaign to end child abduction. I STOP aims to engage 1 million Canadians in taking a personal action against abduction – with every action, no matter how small or large, combining to end child abduction in Canada.

Leading the way is Nate Hall, a young and rising recording artist from Waterloo, ON. Nate has stepped forward as the first face – and voice – of the I STOP movement.

As his debut release, Nate wrote and recorded a hauntingly soulful single for MCSC entitled “Things”, which was recorded at the Calgary-based studio Ear Candy.

100% of proceeds from downloads of Nate’s single “Things” on iTunes is being donated to MCSC’s search for missing children. Visit www.NateHallMusic.com for a link to the single.

“Nate’s generous action is a perfect example of what our I STOP movement is all about,” explained Amanda Pick, Executive Director of MCSC. “People and corporations across Canada are finding a personal way to bring an end to child abduction – often its things that they are already doing.”

“Our I STOP movement calls on Canadians to connect with their own communities in a way that is meaningful to them, and join us in the search for our missing children.”

Gala Update! Poynt signs on to sponsor as our Light the Way Home sponsor!

2011-04-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to announce that Poynt, a home grown Canadian smartphone application, has signed on as our Light the Way Home sponsor for the MCSC Candlelight Gala on May 26th!

Poynt is already a major supporter the MCSC – with over 5 million users in Canada, Poynt helps push Child Search Alerts to all their users and is helping us put Forward Motion into action by supporting our efforts to greater use technology in the search for missing children.

Thank you Poynt!

Case Recap: Mihai Sima

2011-04-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Searching in Romania: A Tale of Two Cases

MCSC’s missing child cases frequently go far beyond our provinces and territories. Particularly in parental abduction cases, children are often taken across the border and into other countries. This can complicate cases immensely, and in many cases slow investigations to a grinding halt.

This was the experience of MCSC Investigator, Ted Davis, in his work on two separate parental abduction cases – both involving Romania - over this past year.

One case was closed this February with a happy reunion of a father, John Galle, and his daughter, Maribel. Maribel had been abducted by her non-custodial mother in March 2010, and taken to the mother’s homeland of Romania. A persistent man, John fought the case in the courts in Romania, ultimately getting an order through the Hague Convention. However the case continued to drag out for a further four months, while John and our investigator Ted navigated the Romanian bureaucracy. Eventually, Maribel and her mother were returned to Canada in February 2011 – shortly after Maribel’s 6th birthday. The mother is now facing charges in Canada, and John has been happily reunited with his daughter.

The second case, however, continues to stymie Davis, as well as the searching mother, Mirela Sima. Mirela has not seen her son, Mihai, for over 2 years. The young boy – who is now 6 years old - was taken to Romania by her father in November 2008. The family immigrated to Canada from Romania together, but the marriage ended and the father returned to their homeland – unlawfully taking the boy with him. Mirela, who is now a Canadian citizen, knows exactly where the boy is in Romania. Interpol has issued a yellow alert for the boy, and last spring a panel of three Romanian judges ordered Mihai’s return to his mother in Canada. Inexplicably, the Romanian authorities have yet to enforce the ruling. Working alongside Mirela, MCSC and Canadian authorities continue to push for Mihai’s return.

“In my personal view after working on these cases in Romania, it seems like if you want something done, you either have to pay to get it done or you need friends in high places with influence,” reflected Davis. “But in John’s daughter’s case, we had neither. We managed to find a sympathetic supporter who knew how to help get things done. Each case is unique – but we always learn something new to help with the next case. And it gives us hope to continue.”

MCSC celebrates National Volunteer Week!

2011-04-13T09:29:00.001-07:00

MCSC is celebrating National Volunteer Week by participating in the WestJet Cares for Kids Volunteer Fair! We’re heading to the WestJet campus to learn a bit more about what makes WestJetters so fantastic and recruiting volunteers for our Gala, Golf Tournament and the Calgary Police Association Rodeo.

If you would like more information on how to become an Event Volunteer, please contact Alix Woods at awoods@mcsc.ca

Mmmm WestJet Cares for Kids and our sweet tooth!

Aleisha, our Donors Relations Coordinator, gears up to meet WestJetters!

Case Recap: The Dangerous Reality of Parental Abductions

2011-04-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Parental abductions account for the highest number of child abductions in our country. In 2009, there were 237 reported cases of parental abduction in Canada – that’s more than four parental abductions every week. Parental abductions are far more common than abductions by strangers – which is what most of us think of when we hear about child abduction. While stranger abductions do happen, the reality is that children are more often in danger from people they know.

“There is a misconception that children who have been abducted by a parent are somehow ‘safer’,” explained Amanda Pick, Executive Director of MCSC. “People often say, ‘Well at least they’re with a parent’, and look the other way.”

“The truth is that parental abduction is a very serious, indictable crime that has dangerous and life-long damaging effects on the child,” Amanda continued. “The truth is that parental abductions are tantamount to child abuse.”

Just like children who have experienced domestic violence, children who have been abducted suffer damaging psychological effects and social problems that affect them for the rest of their lives.

In February, Amanda had the opportunity to travel to Toronto to personally meet with three of our searching families – all of whom have a child that has been abducted by the other parent. It was a powerful experience for her, one that left her with a renewed clarity on the damaging effects of parental abduction.

“While meeting with one of the searching fathers, Henry Da Massa, and hearing about his daily reality in the search for his daughter Pearl Gavaghan Da Massa, I had an ‘ah-ha’ moment,” Amanda revealed. “It gave me a moment of clarity when he explained that this is not about him. This is about his daughter and what she is going through.”

“He said that he wants people to continually focus on the fact that his daughter is in danger. His daughter is not going to health appointments, his daughter is not getting proper schooling, his daughter is not experiencing what it’s like to have friends or a family. His daughter’s identity is not her own. How will that affect her for the rest of her life?”

To view a video blog with more of Amanda’s reflections on her meeting with Henry Da Massa, check our blog at www.missingchildrencanada.blogspot.com.

CHILD SEARCH ALERT: Pearl Gavaghan Da Massa

2011-04-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today, April 6th, is the 7th birthday of Pearl Gavaghan Da Massa, who has been missing since December 9th, 2008.

To support the ongoing search and efforts to bring Pearl home, the Missing Children Society of Canada has officially announced

a reward of $10,000 for any information leading to Pearl’s whereabouts.

It is believe that two years ago, Pearl was abducted by her mother, Helen Gavaghan. At the time, Helen and Pearl’s father, Henry Da Massa, shared joint custody of Pearl. However, Helen and Pearl have not been seen in over two years and it is believed they have come to Canada, evading and hiding out from authorities, with the most recent sighting last summer in the Toronto area.

“Pearl is out there somewhere and her well-being is in danger. Is she getting proper healthy care? Is she getting proper schooling? And psychologically, she’s not experiencing what it’s like to have a family and friends and normal childhood.” explained Amanda Pick, Executive Director of the Missing Children Society of Canada.

Pearl’s father Henry has made a personal appeal “We know that Pearl is already damaged by these events and she will be dealing with them for a long time to come. Anyone with information needs to forward now before this becomes a greater tragedy.”

Helen Gavaghan also goes by two aliases of Dana Flaherty or Meta International. It is believe that Pearl also goes by the alias of Belle Flaherty.

For more information on Pearl’s case, on terms of the reward and how you can support the ongoing search for Pearl Gavaghan Da Massa, please click here or visit our website http://www.mcsc.ca/.

Your IStop action can be to share this blog post and information with your personal and professional networks, in order to bring Pearl home. You can make a difference – bring a missing child home to her searching family.

torontopolice on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Inside MCSC: Growing our Community Partnerships

2011-03-30T11:16:00.001-07:00

Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) is excited to have Child Find AB (CFA) as a community partner!

CFA is a valuable resource in the education, prevention, and advocacy of creating safe communities and environments for our children. For over 15 years, CFA has provided fingerprinting clinics and resources for parents, and delivered educational programs to children, parents and communities that teach strategies to keep children safe from abduction and exploitation.

At MCSC, our services focus on the active investigation and reunification of Canada’s missing children, as well as offer support through our Family and Peer Support Program, making this partnership ideal to ensure Canadian parents have all the tools and resources to protect their children. Together, we strive to effectively serve our Canadian families and create real change.

For further information on how to protect your child and to create a safe community for all children, please contact Child Find AB at info@childfind.ab.ca or toll free in Alberta 1-800-561-1733.

Getting hungry? Our Candlelight Gala tickets are selling fast!

2011-03-25T09:38:00.001-07:00

MCSC’s annual Candlelight Gala is fast approaching – just two months away! Our Candlelight Gala honours all of our searching families and the children who have been separated from those who love them so dearly. It is also a critical part of our fundraising campaign – all of our search efforts are a no-fee service to our families so it’s crucial to us that the search continue.

What’s on the menu for this year’s Candlelight Gala? Being held at the beautiful Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary, Alberta on Thursday, May 26, here’s a sneak peak at some our our potential menu items. To buy tickets for our Candlelight Gala, click here.

Getting hungry? You might be able to tell from from some of the photos that we certainly were.

MCSC and The Hague Convention

2011-03-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

Many of MCSC’s cases go far beyond our provinces and territories – often, Canadian children are taken across the border and into other countries, which can complicate cases immensely and slow investigations to a grinding halt.

However, Canada is a member of The Hague Convention which is an international agreement aimed to deter cross-border abductions and promote the safety and protection of children. There are 80 countries who partner with Canada in The Hague Convention, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China and France.

Essentially, The Hague Convention lays out a protocol of steps that individuals and organizations can take to legally re-gain their child, provided they have been granted full custody of the child by a judge in their home country. The Hague Convention gives searching families a path to follow when working to bring their children home, and legal actions that can be taken by local and foreign authorities.

In Canada, there are Central Authorities that oversee each province and it is these units that are responsible for administering and enforcing the laws. Central Authority will go to appropriate measures to protect the interests of the custodial parent, discover the whereabouts of the child, prevent harm to the child and secure the child’s return. If necessary, the authority will also initiate legal or administrative proceedings to obtain the child’s return.

Although The International Hague Convention Permanent Bureau can not act on behalf of individuals, they provide excellent resources for families and central authorities to take strides in recovering a child.

For more information on The Hague Convention, please visit their website.

MCSC is getting Canadians involved with Get Volunteering!

2011-03-17T10:26:00.001-07:00

For the Missing Children Society of Canada, 2011 is our year dedicated to Forward Motion. Initiatives like the IStop Movement, our push to be more active in social media and our excitement towards building new community partnerships are just a few ways we are making our Forward Motion a reality.

Another big part of our 2011 plan is to give our Volunteer Program a big, deep breath of fresh air. According to Development Associate Alix Woods, who also heads up our Volunteer Program, volunteers are one of MCSC’s number one assets!

Our Volunteers can be and are a million different things to us! They are our eyes on the streets, citizens who are empowered with the knowledge on how to react if they see a child in distress. They are are our direct lines of communication when we have time-sensitive information that needs to be pushed out across the country, like Child Search Alerts. And most importantly, they are our advocates – they are the ones who are helping bring missing children home to their searching families by putting up posters and speaking to people in their communities about the work we do and the families we are helping.

We asked ourselves – as a national organization with our only headquarters in Calgary, how can we build an effective Volunteer Program? A huge part of building our Volunteer Program is reaching out to national organizations who have built strong foundations of volunteers. Organizations like Volunteer Canada, GetInvolved.ca and other great groups are helping to build bridges and striving to grow volunteerism in Canada.

Recently, MCSC signed up with GetVolunteering.ca, an iniative of GetInvolved.ca and Manulife Financial. GetVolunteering is a website and Facebook page that matches individual Canadians with organizations who are looking for volunteers. Matching is based on the interests of the individual – you plug in what you are passionate about and how you think you might be able to help an organization, and GetVolunteering shares a number of potential opportunities you might be interested in.

In a short time since linking MCSC up as a organization looking to recruit, we have had incredible success as well as attracted a wide range of Canadians with different interests and assets from across the country.

Thanks to GetVolunteering!

Case Recap: Jadon Alexander Yanez Parada

2011-03-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

Thank you for your comments. The Missing Children Society of Canada is currently reviewing this particular file. A response post will be posted shortly.

IStop: Employee Matching Funds

2011-03-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Do you know what kind of matching funds your employer offers? Many larger companies and corporations offer to match their employees contributions to their favourite charities. Such an easy and simple way to double your donation, those extra dollars can go a long way for an organization!

$50 donation = $100 to print off 200 colour Missing Child posters
$100 donation = $200 for an investigator to mediate a long distance parental abduction resolution by telephone (3 – 5 phone calls)
$250 donation = $500 for three to five Peer and Family Support Counseling Sessions for an emotionally distressed sibling
$500 donation = $1000 is enough to fund one entire day of a 4 day ground search for a missing Canadian child.

See how easily your donation can make a difference? MCSC closed 81 out of the 122 cases we worked on or assisted with in 2009. With your donation, we can close even more.

Ask your employer today if they match donations and consider asking your coworkers to go in on a donation together. If five people donate $20 each, that’s $200 that goes directly towards searching for missing children and bringing them home to their families.

Click here to donate!

2011 Candlelight Gala–tickets now available online

2011-03-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

Last year’s Candlelight Gala was a tremendous success, with a huge thank you to our Presenting Gala Sponsor NorthGate Aviation as well as everyone who came out to support MSCS in our mission to reunite missing children with their searching families.

This year’s Gala is off and running! Tickets and tables are now available for purchase from our website. Guests will be welcomed to this exquisite event with a champagne reception and hors d'oeuvres. The evening will also include a three course meal, silent auction and uplifting entertainment provided by rising Canadian recording artist, Nate Hall.

So please join us on Thursday, May 26 at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Downtown Calgary – because the search must continue.

If you or your company has an item you’d like to donate to our silent auction, please contact Aleisha Vaz at avaz@mcsc.ca.

IStop: Music is food for the soul

2011-03-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

We are feeling incredibly lucky lately – people are reaching out to support families of missing children in so many ways. Another great Canadian musician sharing his compassion is Pat Spaulding, from my name is paddy. Inspired by programs and not for profits like MCSC, in “gone without a trace”, Pat sings about the importance of not taking the happiness you have with your children for granted and the happiness he has with his own children.
Thanks so much for sharing your IStop movement Pat!

Case Recap: Brianne Ruth Wolgram

2011-03-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

Brianne was last seen between 11:00 and 11:30 PM on September 5, 1998 with three young unidentified females at the 7-11 convenience store on Victoria Road in Revelstoke, B.C..

Five days later, her abandoned vehicle (black Accura Integra, Gold coloured rims) was found 30 kms south of Revelstoke along Echo Lake Road, in the general direction of the Akolkolex Falls & River. Her wallet, driver's license and $200 cash were found in the vehicle.

Brianne was 19 years old when she went missing. She is 5’2” with light brown hair and blue eyes as well as a birthmark on the back of her right leg.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Brianne Wolgram, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca.

ED Amanda Pick video blogs about her recent trip to Toronto.

2011-03-04T09:32:00.000-08:00

Executive Director Amanda Pick

Amanda heads to Regina

2011-03-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

Executive Director Amanda Pick is spending 3 days in Regina at the Western Regional Forum on Supporting Families of Missing People. She’ll be live tweeting until Friday so be sure to check out our Twitter account for more updates on what she’s learning, who’s she meeting and what’s happening.

IStop: Nate Hall shares an acoustic version of “Things” on YouTube

2011-03-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

Nate Hall sings an acoustic version of ‘Things’

Every time we hear this song, we can’t believe how poignant and touching the song "Things" by Nate Hall truly is. An inspiration to all of our families, check out the acoustic version of this fantastic song!

Thank you, Nate!

IStop: You are our extra eyes on the street

2011-02-28T08:09:00.000-08:00

Recently, the MCSC Development Team spent the day with 1,600 City of Calgary field employees, helping to educate them on the important role they can play in ending child abduction. The emphasis? That no one knows Calgary like the City workers who work their routes every day.

The MSCS team handed out small business cards which had quick reference points for what a child in distress looks like and what to do if a worker should see an abduction or have any information they think might be useful to the recovery of the child.

The team asked City employees to keep the cards in their glove boxes for quick reference. Although these points might be deeply ingrained in many people’s minds, often witnessing a possible abduction or crime can put the mind in a small state of shock and references cards can make a big difference in a stressful situation.

Inspired by our Code Search Partner Apache, we are looking for more great companies who’s employees know their area or region better than anyone else. If you think your team would be a great fit for our program, contact Manager of Development Hanan Chebib hchebib@mcsc.ca to find out how you can become involved.

If you would like some of these reference cards for your employees, please contact Development Associate Alix Woods at awoods@mcsc.ca

Case Recap: Lucas Degerness

2011-02-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

Luke was last seen at Prince George Secondary School on June 7, 2007. He had gotten into some trouble at school but a meeting with school officials that day had gone well and he apparently left the meeting in a good mood heading for his next class. He never arrived.

He was wearing a red baseball cap, blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and black running shoes. He was also carrying a large camouflage backpack. Luke was born on January 29, 1993 and would have turned 18 years old this past January. He has dirty blond/brown hair and brown eyes.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Luke Degerness, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca.

Or leave a tip through our Facebook app.

MCSC on Jumo – a social network to change the world.

2011-02-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

Recently, MCSC created a profile on the social good site Jumo, which is a website that hosts hundreds of profiles of not-for-profits and charities. It then works to connect you – the individual – with unique causes around the world based on your interests.

Click here to view our profile and follow us!

What does that mean for the MCSC? More and more Canadians will be able to find out about our work and help bring missing children home to their searching families. We are thrilled to be working with Jumo to help create a place where charities like us can meet new Canadians and world citizens who share our goal to reunite families.

The word Jumo literally means “together in concert” in Yoruba, a West African language. In the words of founder Chris Hughes, Jumo is “an online platform to connect individuals and organizations working to change the world.” Chris Hughes is an original co-founder of Facebook and was the head of Obama’s social media campaign. The world has seen big things start with opportunities like this and we’re hoping to build even greater awareness of MCSC and what we do.

Tell us how you think we can make the most of opportunity and engage a higher number of Canadians. What do you think?

Executive Director Amanda Pick speaks to CTV Toronto about the efforts to bring Pearl De Massa home to her father

2011-02-22T08:16:00.001-08:00

Click on the link below the see CTV’s coverage of Henry Da Massa’s continuing search to bring Pearl home.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/?video=421003?video=421003

Inside MCSC– Part 3 with Executive Director Amanda Pick

2011-02-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

The final video in our 3 part series with MCSC Executive Director Amanda Pick, as she speaks to her ultimate dream – ending child abduction.

It is possible, but we need your help.

Take your first steps to end child abduction by joining our Facebook page and share this video on your Facebook page too.

Help us spread awareness and engage our goal of one million Canadians, working together to end child abduction.

Case Recap: Cédrika Provencher

2011-02-19T09:02:00.000-08:00

Cédrika Provencher disappeared on July 31, 2007 from Trois Riviere, Quebec. Witnesses said she was last seen riding her bike between 6 and 8 p.m. on that Tuesday, asking people in her neighbourhood if they had seen a lost dog. Cédrika did not have a dog of her own, and has not been seen since.

Police conducted ground searches of areas surrounding Trois Riviere, and eventually found her bicycle and bicycle helmet abandoned. As the community rallied around Cédrika’s family, distributing hundreds of posters and even raising a billboard with her picture, police employed many tactics in an effort to gather information, including setting up road blocks and questioning drivers in the area, believing that area residents may have seen something they did not realize was important information.

At the time of her disappearance, Cédrika was about 5 foot tall and weighed approximately 70 pounds. She has long, curly dark red or reddish brown hair. She was last seen wearing a green sundress, green flip-flops, and a black watch with a pink contour.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Cédrika Provencher, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca.

Or leave a tip through our Facebook app.

IStop: Be a part of something bigger

2011-02-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

We know you would jump in to help this child – join our IStop movement.

A Quick Note from Amanda

2011-02-16T08:28:00.001-08:00

A note from our Executive Director Amanda Pick as she travels around Canada celebrating MCSC and the ongoing strength of our families.

Home from the coast yesterday, off to Toronto today! Get to spend time with 3 of our families, 2 that are searching for their missing children and 1 father who just brought his little girl home from Romania with the help of our organization, Missing Children Society of Canada!!! Can't wait!

Case Recap: Roberta Ferguson

2011-02-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

19 year old Roberta Ferguson was last seen on a summer camping trip with friends in Cultus Lake, BC. Deciding to go home a day early from the trip, at around 8pm on August 24, 1988, Roberta said goodbye to her friends and began heading back to Surrey, presumably on foot.

That evening, witnesses from the area reported a young woman matching Roberta’s description speaking with a man inside a red sports car, at the near by intersection of Cultus Lake Road and Vedder Mountain Road. Roberta has not been seen since.

Roberta is approximately 5’5” tall and 115 pounds, with dark eyes and shoulder length black hair, and wears glasses. She was last seen wearing a a navy blue tank top over a black top, black stretchy pants rolled up to her knees, scuffed white running shoes, octagon shaped glasses and carrying a green knapsack.

The male in the sports car is described as being of average height, with fair hair and a prominent jaw.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Roberta Ferguson, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca.

2011-02-11T12:47:00.001-08:00

We’re looking for 1 million Canadians to help us end child abduction – can we count you in?

MCSC is launching a movement called IStop which aims to empower Canadians to take their own actions to end abduction. Whether that be keeping up to date with our Missing Children Directory, holding a local fundraiser or simply Liking our Facebook Page, each action is critical.

Many Canadians already have an IStop movement - they just don't know it! Maybe it's getting to know your neighbors and their kids or talking to your own children about how they can protect themselves, we’re well on our way to reaching our goal of engaging 1 million Canadians to be a part of the movement!

There are 3 categories of IStop actions:

How can you show the country what you are doing to end child abduction?

Write down your IStop action on a blank piece of paper
Take a photo of yourself holding up your action
Upload that photo to our Facebook page and tell us about your action. It’s that easy!

IStop: Canadian artist Nate Hall helps MCSC launch a movement

2011-02-10T09:03:00.001-08:00

Every single Canadian has the power to end child abduction. At MCSC, we know that every action in the search to bring missing children home to their families is important and it’s time Canada celebrated those efforts.

Leading the way is Nate Hall, a young and rising recording artist from Waterloo, ON. Nate has stepped forward as the first face – and voice – of the I STOP movement. As his debut release, Nate has recorded a hauntingly soulful single for MCSC entitled “Things”, which was recorded at the Calgary-based studio Ear Candy.

100% of the proceeds from downloads of Nate’s single "Things" on iTunes is being donated to MCSC’s search for missing children. “Nate’s generous action is a perfect example of what our I STOP movement is all about,” explained Amanda Pick, Executive Director of MCSC. “People and corporations across Canada are finding a personal way to bring an end to child abduction – often its things that they are already doing.”

“Our I STOP movement calls on Canadians to connect with their own communities in a way that is meaningful to them, and join us in the search for our missing children.”

Find Nate Hall’s single in the ITunes store, and check out Executive Director Amanda Pick’s video on IStop.

Inside MCSC – Part 2 with Executive Director Amanda Pick

2011-02-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

In Part 2 of our Inside MCSC series with Amanda Pick, she explores the exciting new partnerships that are paving the way for MCSC to achieve our mission – to bring missing children home to their searching families.

Watch the video and be inspired – all these companies are taking what they do best and putting it to good use by partnering with the MCSC. Maybe there is something in your life that you are already doing that could benefit MCSC.

For more information on how you can help, visit our website at www.mcsc.ca

Get Involved: AMBER Alert Program expanded to Facebook

2011-02-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

Its a common misconception that MCSC is responsible for issuing AMBER Alerts. In actuality, only the police can activate an AMBER Alert in Canada. In fact, each province across the country has an AMBER Alert Program which partners with the province's law enforcement community, media broadcasting agencies and the public.

Traditionally issued through the media and emergency broadcast systems, the past year has seen several provinces begin to issue AMBER Alerts through Facebook. With its large user base and a platform that is conducive to immediate communication and information sharing, Facebook is ideal for broadcasting AMBER Alerts.

To date, five Canadian provinces have created AMBER Alert Facebook Pages:

Users who become members of these pages will receive any AMBER Alerts in their area through a Facebook message.

Whether by traditional methods or by Facebook, AMBER Alerts are designed to provide the public with immediate and reliable information about a child abduction in order to get the public's help in locating the child. The AMBER Alert system is only used in the most serious, time critical cases when a child has been abducted and it is believed that their life is in danger.

By contrast, our “Child Search Alerts” are designed to provide the public with any updates or new developments in our ongoing investigations of a missing child. Sent out through traditional media and our social media networks, our Child Search Alerts are an important way of ensuring our missing children remain it the public’s mind. By joining our our Facebook page or following us on Twitter, you will be notified about our active case investigations.

Are you pushing out Canadian Child Search Alerts to your Facebook Friends? If not, would you be willing too? Share your stories on how you are using Facebook and social media to help end child abduction. Email marketing@mcsc.ca with your stories!

Case Recap: Tamra Jewel Keepness

2011-02-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

On the evening of July 5th, 2004, 5 year old Tamra Jewel Keepness was tucked into bed and never seen again. Reported missing by her family the morning of July 6th, a team of 20 police investigators, 30 volunteers and members of Tamra’s family, including her five siblings and her mother began combing areas of Regina, Saskatchewan.

After a few days with no sign of Tamra, the search team grew to over 100 officers, Cadets from the local RCMP training program, civilians and elders of the Aboriginal community.
At the time of her disappearance, Tamra was wearing a light blue striped halter top with pink accents and light blue jeans.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Tamra Jewel Keepness, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca.

Or leave a tip through our Facebook app.

Inside MCSC – Part 1 with Executive Director Amanda Pick

2011-01-31T21:05:00.000-08:00

Today is the first post of the Inside MCSC, a series of video blogs that lets you inside the MCSC world.

It’s important that you, our audience, understand who we are and what we do, so we can stand together and end child abduction. We want you to feel a part of our organization as we are working for all Canadians and all families of missing children.

The kick off of Inside MCSC is a three part video series with Executive Director Amanda Pick. Check out today’s video of Amanda speaking to the great successes of 2010.

Do you have suggestions for what you’d like to see in future Inside MCSC video blogs? Email your thoughts to marketing@mcsc.ca.

Get Involved: Gala Silent Auction Items

2011-01-31T10:35:00.001-08:00

The wheels never stop turning at MCSC! The planning for our annual Candlelight Gala is well underway, and this year is even more exciting – it’s our 25th Anniversary! As the success of the Gala continues to grow, we rely on the generous contributions from local and nation-wide companies to help bring missing children home to their searching families.

An easy way for you to get involved? Donate items to our Silent Auction! Maybe you own a small business that can donate services, a piece of art that is the envy of the art world or tickets to an NHL game, there are lots of great and easy ways for you to help support MCSC in our mission towards bringing missing children home to their searching families.

Interested in finding out more about how your can help? Contact Brenda Mantle (bmantle@mcsc.ca) Aleisha Vaz (avaz@mcsc.ca) for more information!

Case Recap: Corinna and Sheldon Sperling

2011-01-29T08:47:00.000-08:00

Corinna and Sheldon Sperling, half siblings, were last seen in Port Coquitlam, BC with their mother, Carmen Annette Sperling on May 11, 1998. Corinna, having just returned to her mother’s care after spending some time in a foster’s home, and her brother Sheldon have not been seen since.


Corinna Sperling	Sheldon Sperling
MCSC Directory Profile	MCSC Directory Profile

Corinna Sperling will be turning 18 this February – she was born on February 12, 1993 and has blond hair with blue eyes. She might have a slight speech impediment.

Sheldon Sperling will be turning 15 at the end of January, born on January 30, 1996. Sheldon has blond hair and blue eyes, he is left handed and has two deformed fingers on his left hand.

The fathers of Corrina and Sheldon have both been awarded sole custody of their children, and there are three separate Civil Warrants (contempt) for Carmen Sperling’s arrest, as well as a Canada wide Criminal Warrant.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Corinna or Sheldon Sperling, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca. Or leave a tip through our Facebook app.

IStop Story: Steve Coffey and the Lokels

2011-01-24T10:25:00.001-08:00

A big thank you to Steve Coffey and the Lokels for sending this to us, a song they wrote to help parents deal with the overwhelming emotion of a missing child.

My name is Steve Coffey and I'm a Southern Alberta Songwriter/ Painter.
I'm writing you today in regards to a song I wrote with my band back in 1999 - the title of the song is MISSING and it obviously deals with the whole tragic issue of missing people. Children in particular. I've always intended the song to go to people that face this crisis daily. Parents and folks like you who are the real heroes in this world. I always wanted it to go where it might raise awareness. Or simply be listened to by people who might find some comfort within it.

Check out the song here – and be sure to join their Facebook page.

Create a MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

Case Recap: Shannon Alexander and Maisy Odjick

2011-01-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

On September 6, 2008 Shannon Alexander and Maisy Odjick disappeared, last seen on the Kitigan Zibi First Nations Reserve which is Maniwaki, Quebec, a town about 140 kilometres north of Ottawa. A suspicious disappearance from the start, the girls left behind all their belongings, including their cellphones and wallets. Shannon, a 5’9’’ brunette, with brown eyes and pierced ears and Odjick, a 6’’ brunette with two piercings in her bottom lip and one in her left nostril, are believe to be together.

The first extensive ground search for Maisy and Shannon was organized by the Odjick family, and did not take place until December 2008, after several heavy snowfalls had blanketed the area, making the search more difficult. In the fall of 2009, there were several reported sightings of the girls and the Sûreté du Québec now says sightings in Ottawa and Kingston have been confirmed. Since those sightings however, there have been no further leads.

A $10,000 reward — made up of donations from friends and supportive organizations — is being offered by the families for any information that leads to Maisy’s and Shannon’s safe return.


Shannon Alexander		Maisy Odjick
http://www.mcsc.ca/ProfileDetail.aspx?ID=85		http://www.mcsc.ca/ProfileDetail.aspx?ID=87

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Shannon Alexander or Maisy Odjick, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca. Or leave a tip through our Facebook app.

Case Recap: Tania Murrel

2011-01-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

In honour of MCSC’s 25^th anniversary this year, our first ‘Case Recap’ blog post will focus on Tania Murrel. Back in 1983, Tania’s disappearance grabbed national attention, and was the driving inspiration behind the creation of MCSC two years later.

On January 20, 1983, 6 year old Tania Murrel disappeared on the two-block walk home from Grosvenor elementary school in Edmonton, Alberta. Shortly after 11:10 a.m., Tania began her short walk home for lunch. Three-foot-two and blond-haired with hazel eyes, Tania was dressed in a blue winter coat with a white fur collar, green cord knickers, a black Harley Davidson T-shirt and high brown boots.

Tania did not make it home for lunch that day. By 11:20 am her family alerted the authorities. The largest door-to-door search ever in Edmonton was then mounted, with authorities and volunteers canvassing more than 1,900 square blocks, including ravines and alleys, on foot and by car. To date, no trace has been found.

Three years after her disappearance, the Missing Children Society of Canada was established. In the 28 years since Tania’s disappearance, MCSC continues to be the only national nonprofit organization that continues the active search for missing and abducted children, in hope of bringing closure to grieving families.

It is for missing children such as Tania Murrel that our search must continue.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Tania Murrel, please contact MCSC confidentially at 1.800.661.6160 or tips@mcsc.ca. Or leave a tip through our Facebook app.

2011 marks MCSC's 25th year of reuniting families

2011-01-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

When six-year-old Tania Murrell disappeared from Edmonton, Alberta, in 1983, the search efforts for her received national media attention and inspired the first non-profits in Canada dedicated to the search for missing children.

These first search agencies focused on public awareness and prevention programs. With the exception of poster distributions, little attention was put on the actual search for missing children or on support of searching families.

Out of this need to do more for searching families, the Missing Children Society of Canada was created in 1986. Since that time, MCSC has assisted law enforcement and searching families in thousands of cases.

This year marks our 25th anniversary of continuing the search for missing children. As we look to our future, we are as driven as ever to continue the search for our missing children.

Thank you for helping us keep the search, and the hope, alive.