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Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation donates record amount to local groups

Donations are part of a Canada 150 fund
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The Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation donated $30,000 to 10 local organizations recently. — Craig Carmichael photo

Thanks to a Canada 150 fund, the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation donated a record amount to 10 local organizations recently.

At its annual general meeting on May 16, the foundation donated $30,000 to 10 local groups. The donations were a record amount for foundation because of support from the Government of Canada’s Community Fund for Canada’s 150th birthday. The fund is meant to encourage all Canadians to contribute to their communities in a way that fosters a greater sense of belonging, inclusion and reconciliation, leaving a lasting legacy for the communities and the country, states a release from the foundation.

Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation board of directors president Wendy Carmichael said it’s an historic moment for the foundation.

“It is exciting to be able to support so many worthwhile and important projects, addressing a range of needs in our local community,” Carmichael said.

The foundation provides grants to registered charities for projects within the geographical boundaries of School District 69.

The recipients of the donations are:

• Nanoose Community Services Society for its Canada 150 Community Garden. The garden is for NCSS clients to grow their own produce with the assistance and engagement of a variety of groups and businesses within Nanoose Bay.

• The Arrowsmith Agricultual Assocation for the 104th annual Coombs Fair on Aug. 12 and 13, which will celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary with special events and demonstrations. The focal point of the fair’s Canada 150 celebration will be a display of the Musical Ride Series, composed of 24 original artworks created by artist Joan Larson. The series is a tribute to the iconic RCMP Musical Ride and a celebration of Canada’s national heritage.

• The Oceanside Community Arts Council for the McMillan Arts Centre Heritage project, which celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday and the MAC’s historical 104-year-old building by sharing its stories and history with the community through a photography display, a singular exhibit of 150 years of art with one B.C. family and planting a commemorative garden which will surround a historic buildings plinth erected onsite.

• The Tri Athletics Society Member of Tri B.C. and Triathlon Canada for the Qualicum Beach Triathlon.

• The Society of Organized Services for the Housing Outreach Support Team (HOST) which is a committee of service providers that come together to help house the people who are homeless, with complex needs such as mental health and addictions.

• Eagle Park Health Care Auxiliary for its Intergeneration 150 Year Celebration. This project is an intergenerational celebration of Canada’s 150 years with residents of Eagle Park telling stories to children about their history and, as such, the history of Canada.

• The Qualicum Beach Historical and Museum Society for the Graham Beard Video Story which will tell the story of Qualicum Beach Citizen of 2016, Mr. Graham Beard.

• The Vancouver Island Workability program for the 150 Year Anniversary Makeover which will provide 10 low-income seniors, who due to circumstance have let their front yards deteriorate, with cleanup front yard facelifts, capped off with an anniversary theme.

• Forward House Community Society for ‘Our Community, Our Art,’ which will use art as a medium to connect its clients experiencing mental health issues with the greater community.

• Oceanside Stroke Recovery Society survivors and caregivers will volunteer to drive/scooter/walk in the Parksville Canada Day 150 Parade.

For more information on the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation, visit www.parksvillequalicumfoundation.com.

— with files from the Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation



Lauren Collins

About the Author: Lauren Collins

I'm a provincial reporter for Black Press Media's national team, after my journalism career took me across B.C. since I was 19 years old.
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