Giving Every Child a Voice for Safety: The Story Behind Whistle Safe / Sifflet Futé

Giving Every Child a Voice for Safety: The Story Behind Whistle Safe / Sifflet Futé

It began with one simple idea and a whistle.

For Donna Crites, known by many as Mrs. Claus, the idea came from a casual conversation at a bus stop. “I was speaking with some ladies at a bus stop and chatting about various attempted crimes,” Donna recalled. “I was thinking there is nothing to help our children. In my case, my grandchildren. It was suggested that a great big whistle might be a good idea.”

That brief moment of reflection turned into something much bigger. Donna, a charter member of the Stormont Community Optimist Club, immediately thought of how the club could bring this idea to life. “I replied by saying I belong to a new Optimist Club,” she said. “Let me see what they think, because I feel it would be a great way for the new club to say, this is what we are all about, the safety of our children.”

And that’s exactly what happened. The brand new club, who is launching officially on November 22nd (If you want to support, get your tickets to the event here) came together around Donna’s idea, determined to turn it into a real community program. Paul St.Onge (pictured here with Donna) did a lot of the work behind the scene and secured a partnership with Big Tree Promotions. The result is the Whistle Safe / Sifflet Futé Program, a child safety initiative designed to empower kids with knowledge, confidence, and a simple, powerful tool, a FOX40 whistle. “The Stormont Community Optimist Club Whistle Safe program is about turning a small whistle into a big voice for safety,”said Paul. “It empowers kids to feel confident, prepared and connected – one whistle, one child, one community at a time.”

A Personal Spark for a Public Cause

Donna’s motivation comes from a place of love and concern. She remembers a frightening experience involving her granddaughter. “I then remembered an incident with my granddaughter and how she was approached by a man while at work,” she explained. “I’m not sure if it’s the same fellow or not, but either way, both need help. Anyway, she went on her lunch and was followed. He tried to get her to go with him. Thankfully, she was aware of her surroundings and knew what to do. She told the people at the restaurant, called her mom and supervisor. She stayed there until her supervisor and mom came, and they escorted her back to work.”

That close call reinforced Donna’s belief that awareness and preparedness can make all the difference. “With this whistle program, it might just help another person from an abduction or worse,” she said quietly.

A Community That Cares

The Stormont Community Optimist Club embraced Donna’s vision and began working together to develop bilingual resources that could be shared with families and schools. The team’s passion and collaboration helped transform a single idea into a full child safety campaign, complete with fun songs, classroom activities, and videos from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“Donna has always cared deeply about the well-being of children,” one member said. “She has a gift for turning concern into action.”

From Parade Magic to Real-World Safety

The Cornwall Santa Claus Parade will serve as the official launch of the Whistle Safe initiative. Along the route, volunteers from the Optimist Club will hand out special Whistle Safe envelopes to parents. Each envelope includes bilingual safety tools and a whistle for their child, along with guidance for families to talk about what to do if a child ever feels lost, scared, or unsafe.

Families can also find more resources on the Whistle Safe YouTube Channel where Santa and Mrs. Claus deliver heartwarming video messages that remind children they are never alone when they speak up.

For teachers, schools, and caregivers, there’s a bilingual PowerPoint presentation available here filled with engaging materials that help children learn through song and play.

Why It Matters

Programs like Whistle Safe grow from the heart of a community that cares deeply for its next generation. For Donna, the motivation is personal and simple. “I have a lot of grandchildren and would do anything I can to keep them safe,” she said. “They are our next generation, and I want to feel I have helped them.”

Through Whistle Safe, Donna and the Stormont Community Optimist Club hope to do just that, to give every child the confidence to call for help, and every family a little more peace of mind.

A Call to Action

The Whistle Safe / Sifflet Futé Program is open to schools, community groups, and local organizations interested in promoting child safety in a positive, engaging way.

To learn more, visit www.whistlesafe.ca or email [email protected].

When you hear a whistle this holiday season, think of the love and dedication behind it, a community united to keep its children safe.