After doling out $5,500 to sports organizations in the Cowichan Valley last December, the Saunders Foundation made it an even $6,000 with a $500 donation to the music program at Quw’utsun Smuneem Elementary School.
“We had two teachers in tears,” Saunders Foundation spokesperson Jim Ten Hove said. “It was very touching.”
The December donations went to six different organizations: Kidsport Cowichan, the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club, Duncan Christian School, the Cowichan Valley Lacrosse Association and the Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association each received $1,000, and Cowichan Secondary Thunderbirds basketball got $500. Much of the money is raised at the foundation’s annual golf tournament, which has been held at the Cowichan Golf & Country Club for the last 12 years. This year’s tournament is set for May 6, but it is sold out already. Only one team from last year’s tournament opted not to return for 2016.
“We always sell out,” Ten Hove said. “Within a week, week and a half, we’re done.”
The foundation had started a tournament specifically for Kidsport, but that has since been taken over by Kidsport Cowichan.
In addition to their donations in the Cowichan Valley, the foundation recently donated $7,000 toward a new sledge hockey program at the Westhills Arena.
