A special tool donation event in Parksville Qualicum Beach has gone ‘way beyond’ what organizer Dave Field thought possible.
Field, a past president and 20-year-member of the Seaside Cruizers Car Club, has arranged a three-day donation event at two locations to help families in the Fraser Valley rebuild their homes after the significant flooding in late November of 2021.
“I know we’re on the Island and they’re over in the Fraser Valley, but you got to remember where our food and everything else comes from. And these people need our help,” he said.
On Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, those interested in donating new or good-working tools can do so at either the Home Building Centre parking lot (1395 Island Hwy, French Creek) or Dolly’s Home Hardware parking lot (169 W 2nd Ave. in Qualicum Beach) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The event is also co-sponsored by the PQB News.
A partial list of tools and and sought-after items include: gas generators, heaters, fans, pumps, staplers, drywall saws, skill saws, reciprocating saws, angle grinders, impact drivers, compressors, jigsaws, drywall screw guns, floor nailers, work lights and dehumidifiers.
There is no goal amount Field is looking to hit, but simply to obtain as many tools as possible so they can be put to good use.
READ MORE: Stressful weekend weather watch on further Fraser Valley flooding
The idea to hold a donation event came to Field after he saw a news report on the Yarrow Food Hub, an organization founded on directly helping communities in the Chilliwack and Abbotsford area affected by the flooding, who needed tools to give away or loan out to flood relief victims.
From the get-go, Field wanted to include his fellow car club members. Since his idea was so well-received, he decided to take it further and encourage the public to donate.
Judith Seddon, a manager for the Home Building Centre in French Creek, said the partnership seemed like a good fit, since they had an existing relationship with the Cruizers as a sponsor of their annual car show.
Part-owner of Dolly’s Home Hardware in Qualicum Beach, Liz Virgin, said the decision to help out was a “no-brainer.”
“Just watching what was happening on the news and all the people that lost their houses and their animals - just to help give back somehow,” she said.
To further aid with donation efforts, both the French Creek and Qualicum Beach Home Hardware locations will offer a 10 per cent discount on regularly priced tools on Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, with the idea of people purchasing new tools to donate, or to donate an older model and pick up a new one in store.