The London Drugs branch in Duncan distributed 270 gifts for seniors in the community in the days before Christmas as part of the “Santa for seniors” program.
A Christmas tree had been placed in front of the store in Duncan for a number of weeks that had gift tags with the first names of seniors who wanted to participate, and a wish list of what presents they would like for Christmas.
Seniors from four retirement homes in Duncan, including Ts’i’ts’uwatul’ Lelum, Duncan Manor, Cairnsmore Place and The Meadows at Sunridge Place, participated this year
People were encouraged to buy the items from the wish list at London Drugs or any other store, drop it off at London Drugs and staff wrapped them and made sure they got to their intended recipients in time for Christmas.
“We were very impressed with the phenomenal and overwhelming support from the community in our Seniors for Santa campaign,” said London Drugs manager Allen Peabody.
“We’re certainly going to do it again next year.”
Hill and Marlin Travel uniting in Duncan
Duncan Hill Travel Ltd. has merged with Marlin Travel in Duncan.
As of Jan. 3, the two travel agencies have combined under the name Marlin Travel, with all operations out of Marlin Travel’s current office at 921 Canada Ave.
Cindy Jones, the long-time manager of Duncan Hill Travel, will take over as manager of Marlin Travel from Doreen White, who will soon be semi-retiring.
Jones said all the staff from Duncan Hill Travel are now working from Marlin Travel’s office, and all the files and information on the agency’s clients have also been transferred to the new location.
“Everything will be the same, with the only difference that we’re now operating from a different location,” she said.
“It will be a bigger operation at Marlin Travel and we’re looking forward to a great new year.”
Coastal Community teaching entrepreneurs
Students at Duncan’s Maple Bay Elementary School are among 300 across the Island participating in the Coastal Community Credit Union’s PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs program.
Innovation, problem solving, and time management are some of the skills that students are taught to develop as part of the program to come up with solutions to real-world problems.
“This hands-on program encourages students to start real businesses and think like entrepreneurs,” said Allyson Prescesky, the credit union’s manager of community experience and communications.
“At Coastal Community, we believe that an entrepreneurial mindset helps people be successful in all walks of life.”
Robert.Barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com