The lunch bunch at the Cowichan Valley Basket Society gave an extra warm welcome Dec. 4 to visitors from the board of the Cowichan Valley Sportsplex and David Strong from Scotiabank.
They had reason, too. The group was celebrating the end of the Vital Heart campaign, which concluded
Dec. 3. It not only raised money, but awareness of the need for a healthy lifestyle that includes fitness.
The Sportsplex raised $7,200. Since half the money was earmarked for the Basket Society food bank effort, the announcement of this amount was greeted with a storm of applause.
More than 60 people and organizations donated to the fundraiser, according to Sportsplex administrator Jackie Fowler, who handed over a cheque for $3,600 to Basket Society manager Colleen Fuller, who thanked the group on behalf of both the volunteers and patrons of the food bank.
She then took the visitors on a quick tour of the facility, explaining that while there are a small number of permanent staff, she also counts on the efforts of about 100 volunteers
to keep the busy operation running smoothly.
At this season of the year, with cold weather encroaching and Christmas expenses putting pressure on the finances of low income families, it's especially worthwhile to make donations to food banks, either in cash or in food, and many fundraisers are scheduled around the Valley to help out.