Members Letter AGM
To view the letter to SOS Members regarding the 2020 AGM, please click here.
SOS AGM 2020
The SOS AGM will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 pm online via Zoom. Please RSVP by September 9 by calling 250-248-2093 or email sos@sosd69.com. To view the invitation, please click here.
To view the introduction of candidates, please click here.
Take Stock Survey
District 69 residents, we need your input. Please help us “Take Stock” of where we are now and how best to restart and re-imagine programs and services that support children, youth, families, adults and seniors in District 69 this fall and winter. We want to ensure we continue to deliver the most relevant and helpful services that our community needs as we rebuild community well being together. We invite you to take this short 10-minute survey before August 31. Please click here. Thank you!
Summer Family Fun for SOS!
Interested in supporting our community and having some fun this summer? We need your help to restart our programs for children, youth and families! Consider hosting an event this summer with proceeds going to SOS. Click here to have a look at the 2-page flyer for more details, or scroll down to view both pages. Once you’ve read the flyer, email resource@sosd69.com with your fabulous idea and we’ll get back to you right away. Thank you!
Thrift Shop reopens June 15
We are very excited to welcome our Thrift Shop customers and donors back to resume treasure hunting and donation drop-offs on June 15!
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to work through the challenges that have come with the COVID-19 crisis.
Your support is truly appreciated at this time and is helping us provide essential services to our residents. Thank you for helping us keep valuable items out of our landfill, for promoting ethical, sustainable shopping, and for supporting SOS as a local charity dedicated to improving our community.
The health and safety of you and our staff is a top priority to us, so you will notice some changes. Here’s what you can expect on your visit to the Thrift Shop:
Hours
Monday – Saturday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. These reduced business hours will help us restock the store and maintain enhanced cleaning requirements with just our staff on the premises.
Enhanced cleaning procedures:
We will be cleaning high-touch areas frequently.
In order to limit the spread of viruses, we have added hand sanitizer stations and our staff team will be wearing facemasks.
Important details about shopping:
- Do not enter, if you are sick.
- Wear a mask, if you have one.
- Please use the hand sanitizing stations at the entrance and exit doors.
- Once inside, please follow directional signs.
- Please stay 6 feet away from other shoppers, and staff, at all times.
- All incoming donations have been isolated prior to being put on the sales floor; however, we recommend that you wash and/or sanitize your purchases.
- Please avoid touching merchandise unless you intend to purchase the item.
- Change rooms and washrooms are closed for your safety.
- Tap debit and credit transactions are preferred; please avoid using cash.
- New shopping bags will be provided. Sorry, we will not be handling or using reusable bags.
- We are limiting the number of shoppers for your safety. Please limit your visit to 20 minutes so that other customers have the opportunity to shop. Please help us ensure everyone gets a chance to come in and find some treasures.
- Sorry, there are no deliveries available.
Important details about Thrift Shop donations:
- If possible, please hold off on dropping donations as we are anticipating an influx of donations that will overwhelm our capacity to process them.
- Drop off your donations during opening hours, 9:30 – 3:30, Monday – Saturday.
- Sorry, no furniture or large appliances will be accepted for donation at this time due to our limited capacity to store isolated donations.
- Please ensure your items are clean and in working order.
- Please maintain a distance of 6 feet from SOS employees.
- Sorry we are not able to pick up donations at this time.
Thank you again for your patience as we do our best to operate in this new normal. We are looking forward to seeing your happy faces again as you discover fantastic bargains!
SOS could not continue providing community support without valued supporters like you. Thank you for helping us ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable shopping experience at the best Thrift Shop on the Island.
Working together to support seniors
SOS continues to take care of local seniors through the COVID-19 crisis thanks to support from the community and our partners.
“Without my prescription I can’t sleep at night, I have terrible nightmares,” said Valdis, a SOS Seniors’ Advocacy Services (SAS) client. “I’ve got other medications that are covered by PharmaCare, but that particular medication isn’t, and I just didn’t have the coin to buy it.”
Valdis was able to purchase his medication after speaking with Seniors’ Advocacy Services Coordinator Dawn Barry.
Recently, SOS received a $5,000 grant for the SAS program from the United Way Central & Northern Vancouver Island’s COVID-19 Seniors Response Fund, funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
SOS Seniors’ Advocacy Services provides assistance to seniors over the phone, emergency vouchers for food and medicine, it helps residents access various government benefits, and more.
Heather accessed the program after her car broke down and she was dealing with health issues. “If I didn’t get that help, I’d probably be living on the street,” she said. “I’ve lost weight and I’d probably be in the hospital or something. That little bit of help goes a long way. Programs like this are very essential. ”
If you are a local (District 69) senior and need support, call SOS at 250-248-2093.
