The Fourth Annual Annie Effect: Celebrating a Girl Who Continues to Change Lives
Bekah Olsen addresses members of the media to discuss the 4th year of The Annie Effect.
TELUS contributed a $2,000 donation to Angel Tree in memory of Annie, using funds raised by the TELUS Payday Lottery. TELUS representatives from left to right: Denver Brewin, Stephanie Sanderson, and Jeff Pickell.
On June 19, the Lethbridge community is invited to gather to celebrate what would have been Annie Olsen's fourth birthday. While Annie's time with her family was heartbreakingly short, her legacy continues to grow through The Annie Effect, a movement of kindness, generosity, and connection created by her parents, Bekah and Jim Olsen, along with their family and friends.
For the fourth year, the Olsen family is turning Annie's birthday into a celebration of giving, collecting diapers, wipes, and toys suitable for four-year-old children to support Lethbridge Family Services newcomer families and children supported through the Angel Tree Christmas campaign. Last year, the community's overwhelming generosity resulted in more than 14,000 diapers being donated to families in need, countless containers of wipes and over 100 toys and stuffies.
Bekah Olsen, Annie’s mom, believes that if we allow ourselves to love, we must also give ourselves permission to grieve. She is committed to helping others in Annie's memory.
"As we approach the fourth anniversary of our sweet baby Annie's passing, we are reaching out to the community to join us in honouring her memory and the memory of children gone too soon."
New this year, TELUS contributed a $2,000 donation to Angel Tree in memory of Annie, using funds raised by the TELUS Payday Lottery, an internal employee-funded charitable initiative.
To celebrate what would have been Annie's 4th birthday, Bekah and Jim Olsen, along with their family and friends and Lethbridge Family Services, are organizing the fourth annual community collection drive. We invite everyone to donate items that would have brought her joy on her special day. These gifts, suitable for four-year-olds, will support LFS newcomer families and Angel Tree children, spreading the love and light Annie embodied.
The celebration will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden parking lot and will include cookies, cupcakes, popcorn, two bouncy castles, and raffle prizes. The event is free to attend, and guests are encouraged to bring a gift.
Celebration for Annie
Location: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden Parking Lot, Mayor Magrath Drive (next to the food trucks)
Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Annie Olsen.
We want Annie's life to be remembered as one that inspires each of us to love one another just a little bit better. We call it The Annie Effect. Annie left a lasting impact on so many people in our Lethbridge community. While our hearts ache in her absence, we choose not to dwell in sorrow. Instead, we focus on lifting others, as she did.
In a lasting tribute to Annie's legacy, Bekah and Jim Olsen have also made a historic commitment to Lethbridge Family Services. The family has pledged the largest gift in LFS history to support a new chapter for the Angel Tree program. Through this extraordinary gift, the future toy depot will be named Annie's Angel Tree Toy Depot, ensuring that Annie's spirit of generosity and compassion continues to brighten the lives of children and families for generations to come. Additional details about this transformational contribution and project will be announced in the coming months.
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, support, and contributions. They mean everything to our family," adds Bekah.
For community members unable to attend Annie’s birthday event, gifts can be dropped off at Lethbridge Family Services on weekdays during business hours until June 19.
Lethbridge Family Services
8:30 am–4:00 pm
1107 2A Avenue North, Lethbridge
Phone: 403-327-5724
Annie's life reminds us that grief and love can exist side by side. Through every toy, every diaper, and every act of kindness, Annie's light continues to shine, and her story continues to bring comfort, joy, and hope to others.
The Olsen family at the 2025 event for Annie’s 3rd birthday.
The Annie Effect mantra is “Do better. Be better. Love better.”
At the 2025 Celebration for Annie, over 14,000 diapers were gathered for LFS newcomer families and Angel Tree families.
Lethbridge Family Services provides highly-accredited health and social services to over 9,000 individuals and families in more than 30 communities in southwestern Alberta, through the professional services of more than 360 staff, and the support of over 500 committed volunteers. LFS's vision is a connected and inclusive community where people thrive.
Media Contact:
Michelle Gallucci
Director, Advancement & Communications
Lethbridge Family Services
MGallucci@LFSfamily.ca
403-915-8028
