Parksville’s Bald Eagles Old Timers hockey team have raised over $80,000 over 20 years to donate to families in need at Christmas time, and they’re at it again.
On Saturday Dec. 17, at The Rod and Gun in Parksville, in conjunction with the pub’s customer appreciation day, the Old Timers and members of CUPE Local 3570 will raffle off stacks of donated prizes with all proceeds going to help some needy families in District 69.
“The reason we do it is because we know every penny goes directly to the families,” said Harvey Lalonde, vice president of CUPE local 3570.
“It has always been a great success and people are very generous.”
The team does it year after year to help out local kids and their families at what can be a very difficult time of year.
Lalonde said this year the union will be donating $750.00 to the cause.
In the past, the Rod and Gun has supplied prizes for the event and cash donations were also made by residents.
Following the event, a fundraising co-ordinator will phone the parents and find out what the kids want and then gifts will be purchased along with some food coupons for the parents.
Lalonde said they adopted over a dozen local families last year and the smiles on their faces said it all.
The public is invited to join the fun at the Rod and Gun on Saturday starting at 2 p.m.