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On the evening of Friday, November 1, the Parish of Holy Spirit, Whonnock held a successful fundraiser to support the Kingcome Inlet School Book Program. Kingcome Inlet is a remote village that is home to the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation. The village is the Ukwanalis Village and it is based along the Gwa’yi (Kingcome) River on the mainland of BC across from the northern tip of Vancouver Island and the village of Alert Bay.

The children there do not have access to many books and when members of Holy Spirit learned about this situation five years ago they began a program where at least twice a year quality children’s books are purchased, then sent via a courier from a parishioner’s account (who donates the shipping charges) to the school to be given out to each child. The members of the parish are supplied with names and ages of the children who will receive the books and each book includes a special handwritten message for the child.

The Pub Night event raised $957 which was just shy of the organizer’s goal of $1,000. Not only was this a successful fundraiser, but also, a great time was had by all. There was a fantastic array of donated door prizes providing the opportunity for at least one winner at each table. It was wonderful to have the recently appointed vicar (priest in charge), the Reverend Miranda Sutherland at the event.

Two highlights that made this such a memorable occasion were; the great community building opportunity of getting together with fellow parishioners and, the generosity of a quest who exchanged her door prize (a bike) with another quest who really wanted it for a grandchild. This thoughtful act is one that folks will not soon forget.

This is an annual fundraiser for a very worthy cause, so for 2020 the parish plans to promote the event more broadly around the diocese and let folks know that they are welcome to attend.

(article prepared with files from Barbara Metcalf)

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  •  Some Holy Spirit folks pose with the vicar (5th from left, fourth from right), for a group shot. Photo: Submitted

 

Golden Ears
Holy Spirit Anglican Church