• Kudos to 49th Parallel Grocery Street Market for donating water bottles to firefighters who were out battling a grass fire in Cedar that threatened homes and caused an evacuation July 2. In the kind of sweltering heat we’ve been having, we have to quench the thirst within to douse the fires around us!
• Your gifts give 373 grads a chance at higher education. That’s the word from the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation, which awarded over $474,000 in scholarships and bursaries to assist 373 Grade 12 graduates with the high cost of post-secondary education. Local donors gave over $323,000; the Ministry of Education provided 151 scholarships of $1,000 each. “On behalf of all students at Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, we thank you for your continued financial support. Your generosity means the world to our students!” said the NLSF in an email.
• Stock the Lockers, a fund-raiser for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation, takes place Aug. 13 to Sept. 3. This is the 6th annual fundraising campaign for school supplies and other unmet basic needs of local elementary and secondary students. “Help us raise $50,000 to give students an equal chance to succeed in school,” says the NLSF in a recent release. For information go to www.NLSF.ca.
• Ladysmith Rotarian Gerry Beltgens received the District Award for Service to Polio Plus, and he was named Rotarian of the Year the club announced in a release last week. Bonnie Ritchie received the President’s Achievement Award for her work coordinating the BEAR ( Be Eager About Reading) Program for Literacy. Michael Furlot received the Rotary International Award for Service and Cheryl Leukefeld received the President’s Plaque and Honourable Mention for second Place for New Members in District 5020. Sandra Milne received the Jim Runciman Award for Service in the Ladysmith Club.
• Ladysmith’s Royal Canadian Search and Rescue is looking for crew and supporting members, and will be holding an ‘open boathouse’ July 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ladysmith Marina. You can also email recruiting@rcmsar29.com for more information.
• Kids are being invited to visit their local library to read, build, craft and create some fun at this year’s Summer Reading Club! The theme for 2015, “Build It”, encourages children ages 0-12 to visit their local library branch this summer to help build their reading skills. Registration is free at local library branches or online at virl.bc.ca/kids! Summer Reading Club runs to Aug. 22.
• Help defeat cancer by participating in the Tour de Rock Raffle: Draw date is Sept. 10, 2015. Tickets $10. 1st Prize is a Bear Mountain Golf Getaway Package for four, $1,250 value. 2nd Prize is a Canucks Hockey Getaway Package for two, $1,000 value. 3rd Prize is a Mayne Island Getaway Package for two, $400 value. For more information and to purchase your tickets contact Tour de Rock riders Alison Wood at 250-380-6132 orAlison.wood@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or Rob Webb at 250-732-0312 or atrlwebb@telus.net
• The Nanaimo Concert Band will be in the bowl July 12 for the Concerts in the Park series at Ladysmith’s Transfer Beach. Show’s are on Sunday between 6-8 p.m. Put on by the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association, these concerts – which run through August – are offered by donation. So enjoy an evening in the bowl, with great music and a great feeling of supporting your community. See the lineup at lrca.bc.ca/concerts.asp
