Colleen Klein hosts a breakfast auction for kottage

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A piece of needle-point artwork titled 'Merry Little Rider' donated by Colleen Klein, wife of Premier Ralph Klein was auctioned off at a fundraiser breakfast for Kids Kottage, a 24-hour crisis centre for abused and neglected children.

The Kottage which is located on 13308-101 St., opened its doors in July,1995. The event was held at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe Hotel in Edmonton. Guests roared with laughter as Stockwell Day auctioned off the item.

"This is what Mrs. Klein says to the premier as he rushes off to work," said Day.

The mood was light as guests' enjoyed the breakfast that cost $25 a plate.

On April 13 the main floor of the Crowne Plaza-Chateau Lacombe was filled with guests speakers and supporters of Kids Kottage which is mandated to support, strengthen and keep families together. Up to 400 people attended.

"A lot of people find it hard to adjust to the city," said Coleen Klein. "They face loneliness. They've left extended family behind and they become frustrated. They do not have anybody they know to turn to. So out of frustration comes abuse."

"The people of Edmonton were concerned about the rising number of kids who were in abusive situations. Some people heard of a few places in the United States that had shelters for children. The idea grew from there," said Jacqueline Galloway who is the development director of the kottage.

"We are so lucky to have Mrs. Klein with us. She is so down to earth. If the place needs painting she will roll up her sleeves and help us paint. She is one of the people instrumental in getting the centre formed," she said.

Two other needlepoint pictures, titled 'My little Red Blanket' and 'Red Arrow' also donated by Mrs. Klein ,fetched $625. Local businesses donated items as well. A bouquet of flowers, for each week for a year brought in $575.

Dinner for two at Giovannis brought in $250. An autographed hockey stick, football and a soccer ball were also auctioned off during the auction.

"One memorable experience was when we had a mother who was up all night and all day with three sick children. She did not have a partner. She was exhausted. She felt like giving up but we helped her until she had enough rest," said Galloway.

"Each story is different, after the families get back together we still outreach to them just to make sure that they are coping," she said.

Mrs.Klein wants to make sure that kids do not go hungry out there.

"We do not like to think that there are kids out there who go hungry," said Klein. "We want to find a way to break the cycle of abuse."

"We hope that people are aware that we are here to help them when ever they feel that they need us. There is a 24 hour number that they can call," said Galloway.