donation

Lorraine Allman and Tara Chernoff from First Credit Union present a $7,500 donation to Martyn Woolley and Jessica Colasanto from the Community Resource Centre

You don’t have to go too far to find changemakers in our community. These are people who are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others, people who act to make the world a better place to be, people like the staff at the Community Resource Centre.

The Community Resource Centre (CRC) has been operating in Powell River since 2007. While the CRC’s services are available to everyone, their main purpose is to assist the most vulnerable members of our community by providing a safe place for them to socialize, integrate, learn, and have access to basic services. Many of their clients are experiencing low income, social or cultural isolation, homelessness, or are at risk of becoming homeless.

The CRC provides a range of services including the Harmony Cafe, cooking classes, public access computers, public telephone, volunteer tax-help, legal and community services information, and even laundry facilities. Behind the building is a thriving garden and a composting demonstration centre. The produce grown in the garden supplies the Harmony Cafe.

crc garden — First staff volunteering at the CRC Community Garden during Community Impact Day 2015

It takes a lot of volunteers and community support to run the Community Resource Centre effectively; our staff experienced this first-hand when they volunteered their time to do fall maintenance in the CRC garden during Community Impact Day 2015. Last week were were thrilled to be able to support the essential work of the CRC once again, this time with a financial donation of $7,500. We’d like to shout out a big thank you to our creditor insurance provider, CUMIS, for contributing $2,500 towards this donation, as part of a nation-wide initiative to support local non-profit organizations.

One of the highlights of my job is presenting donations on behalf of our organization and our members. At the end of the cheque presentation, Martyn and Jessica presented us with a gift – a beautiful thank you card signed by the CRC staff and clients. In it they wrote:

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much!”

We wholeheartedly agree. Thank you CRC for making a positive difference in the lives of our most vulnerable community members. Thank you for being changemakers!

success by 6 — Tara Chernoff, Marketing and Community Impact Manager, presenting a cheque to Elise Statham, Success by 6 and ORCA Bus Coordinator

It’s a rainy day in Powell River, but that didn’t stop the ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus from making its rounds. This morning I caught up with them at their scheduled stop at Pacific Point Market to present Elise Statham, our local Success by 6 Coordinator, a cheque for over $1,500 (the concession proceeds from our 2015 Powell River Movie Night). While I was there, a van pulled up and two children tumbled out, laughing as they raced each other to be the first one on the bus.

What makes the ORCA Bus so special? Well first, this much-loved vehicle delivers fantastic early childhood programs to areas in our community that may not have access to them otherwise – from Saltery Bay to Lund, and everywhere in between. The bus delivers a Strong Start outreach program for SD#47, Family Place programming, Infant Development Programs, and many of other activities with various organizations and businesses in Powell River.

But even more than its great programming and unique way of reaching out to everyone in our community, I think what makes it so special is the collaborative spirit that makes the ORCA Bus possible. The bus receives significant support from local volunteers, businesses and organizations – without the volunteer time, without the donations, and without the community partnerships, this bus would not be on the road. It is truly a gift to our community, from our community!

What can you do? Check out their schedule to find out when the ORCA Bus will be in your neighbourhood next. Ask Elise how you can get involved. Get on board the ORCA bus!