Local fund-raising queens Val Sangster and Laurie Johnson have found a new venue for their efforts.
Through a hockey game fund-raiser, bottle drives, meat draws, donations, and just about every other fund-raising effort under the sun, the duo, with the help of the Cowichan Lake community, raised about $36,000 last year.
The fund-raising project began as an effort to raise $15,000 for a cystic fibrosis vest for local hockey player John Hieta.
After that initial goal’s quick accomplishment, efforts continued for local boy Jaimon Rabey, who also required a cystic fibrosis vest.
Having surpassed their second goal by $6,000, the two fund-raising volunteers have set forth another project; this one endless.
“We wanted to decide what to do with the money, because it isn’t ours,” Johnson said. “So, we thought this would be the best way to help the community.”
This new project is to be called the Lakers Family Foundation.
The specifics of the application process have not yet been determined, though Johnson said that its intention will be to help families in need.
The first big fund-raiser will be the Saturday, March 12, Appollos Alumni Hockey Game, which will close off the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena’s grand opening celebrations.
“The Appollos hockey game will be by donation,” Johnson said, adding that additional fund-raisers will be organized thereafter.
“I have a feeling this could be something big.”
Of the $6,000 extra money raised from the cystic fibrosis vest project, $5,000 will go toward the Lakers Family Foundation.
The remaining $1,000 will go toward the Hieta and Rabey families for additional things they may require.