The Parksville Beach Festival Society gave away its largest amount in donations Friday, according to the festival’s president.
On Oct. 13, the Beach Festival Society presented 24 philanthropic groups with cheques, totalling $62,150, at Parksville City Hall.
“We feel really proud to serve this broad region,” said Beach Festival Society president Cheryl Dill, referring to the groups which came from throughout the Parksville Qualicum Beach region.
Dill said that while the society members work year-round to create the festival, getting to be the volunteer gate ambassador and the cheque presentation are the society’s favourite parts.
Each group that received a cheque had members that volunteered at the gate, greeted and counted guests and gathered information from those attending the 2017 Quality Foods Canadian Open Sandsculpting Competition and Exhibition which saw 130,149 visitors through the gate this year.
When a member from each group got up to receive their cheque, most commented on how all their members were so excited to volunteer for the exhibition.
Dill said since 1999, the Beach Festival Society has donated more than $557,150 to non-profit organizations and community projects which included construction of the park gazebo and community signs.
According to a press release from the society, it assigns 25 per cent of its gate proceeds to community projects and philanthropic groups. The society also reserves funds to help sustain its future events.
For more information, visit www.parksvillebeachfest.ca.