This is the 59th year that the Duncan Knights of Columbus has taken part in the BC wide “Charity Appeal” draw. You may remember seeing the Knights selling their tickets, along with a flashy new car or truck, in the fall of each year outside the doors of Canadian Tire and Thrifty’s in Duncan.
With the start of the pandemic, the Knights have moved to virtual meetings and this year have taken the opportunity to virtually present awards to various local charities in the Cowichan area (a historical first for the Duncan Knights of Columbus). Eight local community groups, three churches, and two students were present at the meeting to receive donations from last year’s draw. Unfortunately the SPCA was unable to join in due to one of our famous last minute storm outages caused by high winds, but one of the recipients joined in “drive-in mode” from the comfort of her car and another from the great outdoors. The video of the meeting will soon be posted on the Facebook page of the Knights. Just search for K of C Duncan Charity Appeal on Facebook.
Another historic first for the Knights was to have two area mayors join the presentation — Mayor Al Siebring of North Cowichan and Deputy Mayor Carol Newington of Duncan. All recipients, including the mayors, were given two minutes to share with the group how their operations are coping during this pandemic. All are doing their best but some with difficulty. The mayors welcomed the charity groups and shared how fortunate we are to have them in our area.
The recipient groups and representatives were: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cowichan Valley (Erin Generous); Clements Centre Society (Linda Roseneck); Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association (Cicilia Ann Crocker); Cowichan and District SPCA (Kristen Lloyd); Providence Farm (Leah Boisvert); Queen of Angels Schoolm PSG (Claire Milbury: $1,000); Special Olympics Cowichan Valley (Linda Roseneck); Warmland House, Canadian Mental Health Association (Anne Marie Thornton); St. Edward’s Parish, Duncan (Fr. Roger Poblete); St. Ann’s Parish, Duncan (Barb and Tom Charlie); St. Louis de Montfort, Lake Cowichan (Jocelyne Crevels); Student Bursary 1 (Madeline Nunn, also presented a student bursary from St. Edward’s Parish, Duncan); plus Student Bursary 2 (Rae Weber). The total awards amounted to more than $8,500.
The Knights are exceptionally grateful to the many people who supported the draw that raised these funds. Due to the epidemic, this year’s 59th annual draw has gone virtual with cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. Tickets can be purchased online at KofCDraw.net/C4253 or at the Knights Facebook Page at: facebook.com/KofC-Charity-Appeal-Duncan-BC-105463448037139 or just search for KofC Duncan Charity Appeal on Facebook. Or email: CharityAppealDuncan@gmail.com. Tickets are only $3.