The qathet region has a long history of volunteerism, helping people in need, maintaining trails and building bridges, and fundraising for a good cause; many of these groups are also charities.
For the past 25 years, Powell River Community Foundation (PRCF) has distributed approximately $900,000 in grants, scholarships and bursaries to more than 40 charities. On May 31, the foundation is hosting its first ever charity appreciation day, from noon to 4 pm, at the Evangel Church (5139 Manson Avenue).
"We wanted to organize an event that highlights the hard work so many qathet community charities do, in order to fill in some service gaps," said PRCF president Dave Hodgins and secretary Marg Hodgins.
Some charities have signed up for the event on May 31, but Dave and Marg are looking for more to attend, and for volunteers.
"We are building a wheelchair obstacle course," said Dave. "Folks are invited to sponsor a team or charity and enter the race."
The idea of the obstacle course is for those who are able-bodied to experience, even if for only a few minutes, what it's like to navigate a space in a wheelchair.
"We're also going to have an imitation door to a building, and they always open [outward]," said Dave. "Just so people know, you have to stop, open the door to go through [while in a wheelchair]."
Bumpy sidewalks, uneven surfaces, steep slopes and doors that open outward may not seem hard to navigate, but for those with mobility issues, they are a concern.
Dave and Marg said they joined the PRCF board four years ago, after their son suffered three strokes and needed to access services. They soon found out the services they needed were lacking in the qathet region.
"We started our own fund in the PRCF to help fund [accessibility] projects," said Dave. "We have raised $15,000 to purchase wheelchairs, walkers and equipment to aid bed-bound seniors, as well as get wheelchair accessible pathways built."
Dave and Marg previously spoke to the Peak about frustrations with City of Powell River and its lack of urgency and funding to create more accessibility spaces.
One big peeve constantly brought up is public transit. Anecdotally, they said those who do use it [public transit] can't get to appointments or to events in a reasonable time frame. Dave said he has given folks rides because public transportation in town for seniors and those without a vehicle is inconvenient.
Marg said that [Powell River] Vintage Car Club will have its vehicles on display, the Clansman Pipe Band will perform and some food trucks will be offering sustenance at the charity appreciation event.
"The enthusiasm is definitely there," said Dave. "We have returned $300,000 from interest earned from our endowment fund to the community, and we want to keep that going."
According to the PRCF website, in the past five years the foundation has been able to return more than half a million dollars to the community, which included Community Response ($184,000), Recovery Fund ($164,000) and Prosperity Fund ($175,000).
Dave said the funds were obtained by the partnership PRCF has with Community Foundations of Canada as well as federal and provincial governments.
To donate, sign up as a charity or sponsor a wheelchair obstacle course participant/team, email [email protected].
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