It’s a good thing that most couples don’t want to have their wedding day fall on the 13th of the month because the picturesque property at Pacific Shores Resort and Spa in Nanoose was available for the Nature Trust of BC to hold a fundraiser for Moorecroft Regional Park on August 13.
Despite superstitions surrounding the unlucky date, the event was blessed with great weather and generous donators, who brought the non profit land conservation organization even closer to its goal of raising $500,000 in the acquisition of the 85 acre oceanfront property once operated as a United Church camp in Nanoose.
A total of 125 people paid $40 each to attend Splash 2011, a garden party which included gourmet food, champagne, wine and beer tasting, live music and displays by local artists.
While the final tally from the event is still being counted organizers say people were generous in the silent auction and 50/50 draw.
Tim Clermont, who is in charge of Habitat Securement Management for the Nature Trust of B.C., told the crowd of supporters that to date they have raised over $70,000 for Moorecroft even though they have only been fundraising for a short time.
He thanked the many volunteers who have been working hard on the campaign and gave a special shout out to the Moorcrofters who have been setting up information booths at various farmers markets and venues in Oceanside to spread the word about the Moorecroft land.
“They are great foot soldiers. The money they raise will mean we (The Nature Trust) will have more of a say over the park and the public will have access to it,” Clermont said.
Proof that the Moorecrofters are getting the message out to the public came in the form of a single donation of $500 from a couple who stopped at the Moorecroft information booth at the Errington Farmers Market on Saturday.
Clermont says it was a huge boost to their $500,000 goal, which the Nature Trust will contribute to the purchase price of the ecologically significant property and key restoration work to important facilities as well as the nature trail infrastructure.
Also working tirelessly on the campaign is Tracy Loewen the events co-ordinator of the Nature Trust of B.C. She said they only started planning Splash 2011 on May 13 and is pleased how it all came together after only three months.
Loewen admits it could not have happened without a great venue and she said she can’t thank Pacific Shores Resort and Spa enough for stepping up and providing a perfect setting for the event.
She worked closely with Atilla Cimsit, the resort’s Director of Food and Beverage to ensure that Moorecroft supporters would have a memorable experience.
For Cimsit it was a great way to spread the word about Moorecroft.
“It’s a noble cause. I hope we can turn it into an annual event,” said Cimsit.
Another champion for the property which was purchased in the spring by the Regional District of Nanaimo in partnership with the Nature Trust of B.C. is Lyndia Terre.
For more information on making a donation to the cause, visit www.naturetrust.bc.ca