Hunkering down in a tent in record heat wasn’t ideal, but it was a cool time for Kevin Acton.
Lumby’s mayor camped out from 5 p.m. June 26 to 5 p.m. Sunday to raise funds for the Whitevalley Community Resource Centre.
“I got goose bumps on a hot day,” he said.
“The people who came out get that some times people need a hand (from WCRC). There was a lot of positive support.”
About $2,300 was raised for the agency’s Legacy Fund, which will establish an endowment and create a stable source of operating funds.
The centre provides a wide range of services including counselling for adults and families, addictions counselling, after school activities, Kids’ Zone in Cherryville, summer day camps, toddler programs, cooking classes, senior drop in, health information for seniors, Internet access, vegetable and plant exchange programs, and support for the Good Food Box.
Acton was rarely without visitors during the camp-out.
“It was excellent, amazing community support,” he said.
“We’ve raised awareness. When people write their wills or do their monthly banking, they may make donations to the resource centre.”
WCRC staff have nothing but praise for Acton, who also fasted during the weekend.
“We are so happy, it’s just wonderful,” said Dawn Frizzell, volunteer co-ordinator.
Along with promoting WCRC, Acton used the camp-out as a chance to talk to residents about a variety of village issues.
“It was a casual setting and they were able to get things off of their chest. Most of it was about making Lumby look better,” he said.
For information or to donate to WCRC, call 250-547-8866 or visit www.whitevalley.ca.
