Vernon’s Fermco Rental & Sales didn’t have to look far for tents when they hosted the company’s 40th anniversary Saturday.
It was a good thing, too, as visitors needed shelter from the heavy rain showers throughout the afternoon.
Fermco, located next to Okanagan Spring Brewery, employs a staff of 13 and provides rental services for anything from home projects to construction equipment to party supplies.
“Anything from sleeping in it to building with it, we rent it,” smiled Fermco’s Heidi Rowlands, who has operated the company with her partner Rod Ferris for the last 14 years.
It was a bittersweet occassion for the duo; Rod’s dad, Roy, who founded the company in 1972, died last year. As well, their beloved shop dog, Keesha, a 14-year-old husky, died last month. Making the most of a sad situation, Rowlands and Rod decided to make the anniversary celebration a charity event for the SPCA.
“In her (Keesha’s) honour, we’re trying to raise enough money to donate a brand new Honda lawn mower, with warranty, to the SPCA,” said Rowlands, who also has a pair of cats, Cubs and Scrubs, patrolling the shop.
Sara’s Ruff House was on hand to offer pet nail clipping by donation, and through other fundraising efforts, Fermco raised $1,200 over the weekend, enough to donate the mower. They are now looking to donate a weed eater to the SPCA.
Also on location Saturday were Sun FM, Bounce Hire bouncy castle, and reps from Honda and the SPCA, to go along with prizes, dunk tank and a barbecue.
“I can’t say enough about the wonderful support we’ve had from the community on this,” said Rowlands. “They’ve been very good and just made it all come together.”
Anyone wanting to make a donation to the SPCA on behalf of Keesha can call (250) 542-4331.
