It was a donation of not only time, but also money to help the College of the Rockies (COTR) in Invermere continue to help local residents go for their goals.
David Ridge of The Ridge Construction Ltd. and the Home Renovation Centre donated over $13,000 back to the COTR that he had earned through a contract with the college.
Invermere Campus Manager of the COTR Doug Clovechok explained that Ridge was one of the people who received a contract through the COTR for two programs involving different trades.
“The introduction to trades program had 13 students come in and work through different trades programs. The work force improvement program also had a component that was trades-related. The college programs contracts local trades people to help teach the practical side of the course,” he said.
The group of students painted the Chamber of Commerce while also building a storage shed at the facility, and built two fishing huts that are being auctioned off for the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life.
After the courses were completed Ridge contacted the college with the news of the donation he wanted to make.
“What David has done is that he has taken all of the money that the College has paid to him for his services and is now donating that back to the COTR to be used locally here for program development,” Clovechok said.
The Invermere COTR manager said the donation will have a great effect on the COTR in Invermere.
“Two things come to mind. In these particular times for anyone to donate over $13,000 is huge. That is a big chunk of change coming out of somebody’s pockets. It demonstrates to me a tremendous amount of community spirit. For our college it is also a big kick,” Clovechok said.
This sentiment was also passed on by Vice-President of Education at the College of the Rockies Doug Mclachlan, who added, “It means a great deal to local programs. Economic times deem that the pot is not getting any bigger. You have to do as much as you can with what you have got. If we have donors like that who are willing to contribute something, it allows us to continue and hopefully expand in some areas.”
As for the reason0 behind the donation, Ridge felt it was something he could do to help local youth.
“We just feel it is important to help young people in the community, to give them an opportunity to get started. That is why we are involved in the program in the first place. We feel it is a worthwhile cause to return the money back to the college and then they can provide further programs to the community,” Ridge said.
“It is a good bang for the buck. We get to help the young people while at the same time the funds are returned to the college so that it can further help the community.”
