New bus getting closer to reality!

On behalf of Beckley Farm Lodge Auxiliary, I would like to give the James Bay community an update on our bus replacement project. It is a year since we optimistically (and naively?) decided to tackle the challenge of fundraising $100,000.00 to purchase a replacement for Beckley’s 1995 aging easy access bus. This little bus has served well over the years taking residents for outings and playing a large part in the operation of the Day and Outreach programs but “retirement” is on the horizon.

By planning and implementing many fundraisers, we ended 2014 with $55,000.00 towards our project. This was attributed to the fantastic support of residents’ family members, program clients, the amazing James Bay community and all the wonderful businesses and golfers who made our 2014 fundraising golf tournament a great success. Phew, what a busy but fun day that was – but wait—we are not finished yet!

We have recently received the good news that the Greater Victoria Savings and Credit Union Legacy Fund had approved a grant for $20,000, pushing our total to the $75,000 mark. So now we find ourselves three quarters of the way to a brand new, easy access bus. We are still actively seeking other opportunities to complete this much-needed bus project.

To this end we are asking once again for your help. We are looking for new contacts within the business community, service clubs or any other organization or foundation that perhaps can offer us financial aid. We will gladly and eagerly follow up on any leads that you can give us. If you have any names and contact information for us then please contact Lorraine Gee, 250-381-4421, ext. 234 lgee@beckleyfarmlodge.com or Dorothy Adam, 250-386-9923, geodort@shaw.ca

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance from all at Beckley Farm Lodge.

Lorraine Gee, Director of Resident and Outreach Services
Dorothy Adam, Auxiliary Chair

P.S. Since the writing of this letter there has been another development regarding our existing bus. On Valentine’s weekend a black-hearted “sweetheart” vandalized the existing bus with graffiti on three sides. This senseless act adds more expense to our non-profit Facility at a time when we are trying so hard to fundraise.