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Celebration set to help Shawnigan Ecovillage get on feet

Home-grown food, music, art and dance, in one of the most beautiful places in the Cowichan Valley, is on offer Sunday, Aug. 24.

From 2-10 p.m. Inclusive Leaders from around Vancouver Island and other parts of the world will host a summer celebration, supper and fundraiser for O.U.R. Ecovillage near Shawnigan Lake.

Advance reservations are a must, so that the zero mile eatery chefs know how much organic food to prepare. The cost is $25 per adult and $10 for children. All proceeds will contribute to the goal of raising $150,000 to help protect OUR Ecovillage forever.

The cost includes an afternoon of tours, games, music, dance, art, nature walks, socializing, relaxing and enjoying the Ecovillage.

Inclusive Leadership founder, Linda Hill, who has been gathering Inclusive Leaders together for over a decade said, "The leadership team will have just spent three days building skills for embracing diversity and sharing leadership. They will be well prepared to create a welcoming culture of inclusion filled with fun and shared laughter."

The entertainment lineup features Duncan Idol Glaucia Desrochers from Brazil and the exciting Mbira Spirit duo Amy and Tafadzwa Matamba from Zimbabwe.

To make reservations and get directions, email inclusivelead ers@gmail.com or phone the Inclusive Leadership Co-operative at 250-746-6141.

OUR Ecovillage was founded in 1999 and nurtured through the drive and determination of Brandy Gallagher since then. A serious medical crisis involving surgery and months of treatment for Gallagher has led other community leaders to step forward so that Gallagher can step back and focus on healing.

The goal of the planning, fundraising and hard work is to transition OUR Ecovillage from an individual ownership model to a sustainable, cooperative model of ownership.

"We are stepping up to see OUR Ecovillage through this growth crisis and put them on a stable financial footing," said author Guy Dauncy. "OUR Ecovillage is a treasure in our community."