Letter - A big hug of thanks

In the April issue of the Beacon reporter Penny Pitcher wrote an article about non-profit Beckley Farm Lodge and the fundraising efforts to replace the aging 1995 easy access bus. This bus is mainly used by the Adult Day program and also the two Outreach programs within the James Bay community. This is a huge undertaking for our very small volunteer Auxiliary group and at a potential cost of $100,000.00 it is the largest fundraising project we have ever tackled.

We knew we would need to seek funding from as many sources as possible and so we asked the James Bay community for their help. I would like to give the community an update on this project. Actually, on behalf of the Auxiliary, I would like to give the community a Big Hug and a Thank You as we have been overwhelmed by the support this project has generated from various sources within James Bay.

The group of "Bus Boosters" at Beckley Manor on Dallas Road have been amazing and have raised $4000.00 so far by coming up with many inventive ways of collecting money. All you Smile Card users are doing a great job of raising funds through Thrifty Foods, so keep loading those cards as every little bit helps.

Many personal donations, large and small, have been received from local residents. One charming young man, who stopped to buy a $2.00 hotdog at our "Scrub a Bug" fundraising event in May, asked about our bus project and then handed over $100.00. He wouldn't give his name but you know who you are young man and we hope you are rewarded for your good deed.

The Beacon Communities Church (with some associate members travelling from Portland to help!) has extended a helping hand to us by hosting a Yard Sale in the parking lot of the Edelweiss Club on Monday August 4 with all the proceeds, $1319.65, going to our bus fund. We thank you to them for their generosity and community spirit and thank you James Bay for supporting them.

The planning of our fundraising golf tournament on September 7 at Prospect Lake is coming along nicely with wonderful sponsors and supporters. All of our golf spots are taken but if you are interested in attending for fun, dinner and bidding on our fabulous auction items, then please call me at 250-386-9923 for details.

All in all we are at the $31,000.00 mark so far. A healthy start but we still have a long way to go to reach our goal.  We are hoping that if anybody has been thinking of donating but just hasn't got around to it yet, then maybe this letter will serve as a gentle reminder.

Beckley Farm Lodge is very fortunate to be located in such a caring community. Thank you everyone!

Dorothy Adam, Auxiliary Chair