Thank you for your support of SOS Thrift Shop, you are supporting vital SOS community programs! Thrift Shop Donation Drop-Off Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm. Shopping Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 4 pm.
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 toTigh-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.
Although she couldn’t make it to our Golden Jubilee event on Nov. 4, Queen Elizabeth II sent “warm good wishes” in a letter, along with regrets that she couldn’t make the event. A wonderful time was had by all at the Golden Jubilee event, complete with cupcakes, balloons, flowers and friends. Although the Queen was unable to attend, SOS affectionately refers to Founding Member Edith Chamberlayne as our “Queen”, and Chamberlayne was in attendance at the Parksville Community Centre for the event. Chamberlayne gave a radiant speech, and we also heard some nice speeches from local dignitaries. A new SOS 50th Anniversary Video was also revealed at the event and an excerpt from a new SOS book, which will be published next Spring, was also read at the event.
The Annual Silver Spur Toy Ride was a great success! 45 riders and their horses, decked out in Christmas attire, made their way through the streets of Parksville with a wagon, collecting toys for the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program. The Silver Spur Riding Club stopped at SOS for a snack and hot chocolate, and then carried on to Stanford Place where they collected more gifts! Their efforts brought in a very large pile of toys, $650, plus $130 in gift cards. Thank you to everyone who took part in and supported this wonderful event, benefitting our residents in need. This will go a long way in brightening many local Christmases.
