The SOS Income Tax Program is in full swing, filing taxes for low-income individals and families at no cost. The program is available for residents to access at both our Parksville and Qualicum Beach Community Services Centres, and runs select days until and April 29. Once local residents have all their paperwork, they can call 250-248-2093 to make an appointment. Click here to find out more about the program and the income guidelines.
Do you know a senior in Qualicum Beach or surrounding area who needs assistance getting to the grocery store? There is space on the Oceanside Better at Home Grocery Shopping Bus in Qualicum Beach! Residents who live in Bowser, Qualicum Bay, Qualicum Beach, Coombs or Hilliers, can get picked up at their home, volunteers will assist them with grocery shopping, they can have a coffee break, and then they will be taken back home. This is a free service and takes place every second Friday from 10 am to noonish. View the poster or call 250-752-2040 ext. 4 to register or learn more.
A number of community leaders visited the SOS Toy Shop prior to it opening up for local families in-need this year. The new Mayors both attended a Toy Shop tour, as well as councillors from City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach. We were also very pleased to host Qualicum First Nations Chief Michael Recalma and Tamara Rooke representing Michelle Stilwell, MLA Parksville-Qualicum. MP Gord Johns also had a tour of the Toy Shop, as well as the Thrift Shop and Parksville Community Services Centre. All attendees were very impressed with the Toy Shop, and all the community support it takes to stock it up so beautifully for our families in-need. It was nice to see some new faces, along with those who have come to visit the Toy Shop before.
More than 100 local seniors enjoyed a memorable afternoon this month, with delicious food, live music, dancing, Christmas trivia, prizes and more at the annual SOS Seniors Connecting Christmas Luncheon. Participants of the group were treated to a lunch catered by Spice of Life, complete with turkey, perogies, stuffing, cranberry, salads and a huge dessert spread. Music by the Revolving Doors had a number of people up on their feet doing the twist. SOS Seniors Connecting programs run in both Parksville and Qualicum Beach throughout the year, providing a place for local seniors to connect, socialize, problem solve and enjoy some time together.
Volunteers enjoyed a traditional Christmas meal, live entertainment, treats from Santa, as well as prizes at the SOS Volunteer Appreciation Christmas Dinner. About 250 volunteers and their spouses attended the annual event, which celebrates the impact SOS volunteers make in our community.
The Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive was a fantastic example of community supporting community and making sure our residents in-need experience some joy at Christmas. A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the 10th Annual Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive, supporting the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program. We’re so grateful to Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre for choosing SOS as the recipient of this amazing event, and to all of you for making it so special. All-in-all there were 1,990 gifts collected, $4,573 in gift cards and $9,230 in cash and cheques! This will go a long way in making Christmas special for our local families and individuals.
