CORE Association executive director Rita Bessant was happy to see staff and clients smiling, laughing and enjoying a morning of fun Tuesday as they kicked off the week-long celebration with a walk to city hall, followed by cake and other snacks back at CORE’s main building.

Bessant hopes Tuesday’s festivities, as well as those planned throughout the rest of the week, will remind CORE Association’s approximately 136 disability service professional staff members they are appreciated for both their commitment to caring for clients and their work to enhance inclusion within Medicine Hat.

“(It’s important to acknowledge) what they do for vulnerable individuals,” Bessant told the News. “They see people with compassion, understanding and total dedication, and we value their work.”