Twenty-six volunteer organizations will benefit thanks to the largest donation ever made by Parksville Beach Festival Society.
Parksville’s city council, mayor and society board members were on hand for the $75,012 donation at the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre on Oct. 6, according to a news release by the society.
Volunteer gate ambassadors from these organizations greeted, counted, informed and gathered feedback from visitors who attended the 2022 Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition.
“These not-for-profit groups provide essential services for so many local residents,” said Cheryl Dill, Parksville Beach Festival Society president. “Volunteer engagement is key to our event sustainability and helps foster community connections and development.”
The event captured a strong attendance of more than 115,000 visitors through the sand sculpting gates in 2022, according to the society.
READ MORE: Parksville Beach Festival marks successful comeback in 2022 with record visitor numbers
The following groups donated over 2,700 person hours towards the 2022 event:
- Bowser Seniors Housing Society
- Catspan
- Deep Bay Fire/Rescue Society
- Forward House Community Society
- Fraternal Order of Eagles 3922
- Hub International
- Knights of Columbus Ascension Council 7991
- Lions Club of Parksville
- Men’s Shed Parksville
- Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society
- Oceanside Community Arts Council/McMillan Arts Centre
- Oceanside Community Safety
- Oceanside Hospice Society
- Parksville Curling Club
- Parksville Lawn Bowling Club
- Parksville Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
- Parksville Qualicum Adult Literacy Society
- Parksville Quilt House Quilter’s Guild
- Parksville Quilters (part of nationwide Victoria’s Quilts)
- Parksville-Qualicum Elks #589
- Preceptor Delta Zeta
- Qualicum & District Curling Club
- Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach
- Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary Bowser #211
- Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary Parksville #49
- Xi Delta Pi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi
The mandate of the Parksville Beach Festival Society is to not only create fun, family-friendly events close to Parksville’s main beach, but also to help the community grow.
According to its policies, the society assigns 25 per cent of gate proceeds to community projects and philanthropic groups. Contributing to the maintenance and development of the Community Park is also a high priority.
Since 1999, the society has donated approximately $1,000,000 to non-profit organizations and community projects, which included construction of the new outdoor theatre, park gazebo and community signs. The society reserves funds annually to help sustain its future events, which can be threatened by such things as inclement weather. For more information see www.parksvillebeachfest.ca
— NEWS Staff, submitted