by SOS District 69 | Apr 25, 2016 | Blog
Joan LeMoine has devoted a significant amount of time to SOS and the residents of the Parksville Qualicum Beach region for the betterment of our community. That’s why she was honoured on March 31 with the province’s newest honour, the Medal of Good Citizenship, by Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell, who is the Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation, on behalf of Premier Christy Clark.
“We’re thrilled that Joan was honoured in this way,” said SOS Assistant Executive Director, Susanna Newton. “Joan has a very recognizable face at SOS, having volunteered tirelessly for many years on the SOS Board and in other capacities, and she’s well respected around the community for all the good work she does.”
The Medal of Good Citizenship “through exceptional long-term service, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward. The medal reflects their generosity, service and acts of selflessness and contributions to community life.”
At SOS, Joan was on the SOS Board from 1997 to 2004, serving as President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President and Past President. She also volunteers in the SOS Caring for Kids at Christmas program and at special events.
Joan has also volunteered for Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock Fundraising campaign, Branch 49 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Tim Hortons Camp Day fundraising campaign, helping children with special needs, with the Oceanside Community Safety Volunteers and at Coffee with Council.LeMoine was also instrumental in establishing the Parksville Beach Festival Society.
“Joan LeMoine is a real unsung hero, having selflessly given her time and talents to causes that have made Parksville a better place. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of the Medal of Good Citizenship,” Minister Michelle Stilwell said in a press release.
Christy Clark was also quoted in the press release, praising Joan.
“Joan LeMoine is a real unsung hero, having selflessly given her time and talents to causes that have made Parksville a better place. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of the Medal of Good Citizenship.”
Photos Courtesy BC Government
(Home page Photo) Parksville citizen Joan LeMoine (bottom right) was honoured with the Medal of Good Citizenship by Parksville-Qualicum MLA and Cabinet Minister, Michelle Stilwell on March 31. Former Parksville mayor Chris Burger (back left) Parksville Mayor Marc Lefebvre also attended the ceremony.
(This Photo) MLA Michelle Stilwell with Joan LeMoine.
by SOS District 69 | Apr 25, 2016 | Blog
Local seniors may be missing out on government benefits.
Upcoming seminars at SOS in Parksville and Qualicum Beach will provide much needed information on the subject.
SOS is hosting two free seminars, one at the SOS Child, Youth & Family Centre in Parksville on Wednesday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the other at SOS in Qualicum Commons on Thursday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The seminars will provide information to seniors on available federal government programs.
Registration is required as seating is limited. Please call 250-248-2093 ext. 239 to book your space. The SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre in Parksville is located at 245 Hirst Avenue West in Parksville, and in Qualicum Beach at 744 Primrose Street.
For more information on SOS visit www.sosd69.com or follow SOS on Facebook at facebook.com/sosd69.
by SOS District 69 | Mar 9, 2016 | Blog
The Star Program at SOS gives residents the skills they need to rent homes sucessfully. The program’s name stands for Supporting Tenancy through Action and Resources and was created by the Nanaimo Women’s Centre.
This is the second year the program has been running at SOS, where participants learn about budgeting, tenancy rights and living with others. The Spring workshop takes place May 24-27 at SOS in Parksville.
Adults 19 and older are welcome to participate. Upon completion, a certificate is issued. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. Call 250-248-2093 ext. 241 to register.
by SOS District 69 | Feb 17, 2016 | Blog
It’s cold out there and you can help make life a lighter warmer and brighter for our residents in-need. On February 20th, a team from SOS will be walking in the Coldest Night of the Year, where funds raised will go directly to supporting local homeless initiatives. But we need your help. Please visit this link to make a donation to this very worthy cause. Thank you!
by SOS District 69 | Feb 4, 2016 | Blog
Glorious gowns and dapper tuxes often make one grand appearance and then never see the light of day again. The SOS Gradwear program is hoping to make use of those threads and at the same time help make grad a memorable event for our local students.Grads simply need to call 240-248-2093 ext 232 and set up a private shopping appointment at the SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre in Parksville.
Check out our Facebook Page to see some of this year’s stock: www.facebook.com/sosgradwear
Hanging on to gown or tux that could make a local grad or their date extremely happy? We’d love to take it off your hands. Please drop donations off at 245 West Hirst Ave. Parksville (at the SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre) Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
by SOS District 69 | Jan 13, 2016 | Blog
Caring for Kids, Families and Individuals at Christmas
SOS provided a record amount of Christmas gifts for local children in 2015.
The Caring for Kids at Christmas program has been running for 47 years in this community, and in 2015 a total of 1,151 children in District 69 received a special gift at Christmas, up from 999 children the previous year.
The SOS Caring for Kids at Christmas program is for low income families and individuals in District 69. The program provides new gifts for children and local grocery store gift cards for adults, so all our residents can experience some joy at Christmas.
The number of households the SOS Christmas program assisted in 2015 was 874, down slightly from 900 in 2014. Adults who received grocery store gift cards through the program in 2015 numbered 1,184, similar to 2014, when 1,189 local adults received support from the program.
SOS had a fundraising goal of $110,000 and Christmas program donations totaled $104,577 in 2015 thanks to the generous support of community members.
Gift donations to the SOS Christmas program were outstanding in 2015. Over 1,500 gifts were collected from the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive, dozens of local businesses hosted Angel Trees and brought in over 1,000 gifts for the program, a record high. Hundreds more were brought in from the Silver Spur Toy Ride, and residents, groups and service clubs consistently brought in gifts for childrenand youth throughout the holiday season.
SOS would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all its supporters in 2015. Together we created magic for our residents in-need at Christmas, and we provided positive support through programming and outreach throughout the year. We look forward to working with our community members throughout to further our vision of a healthy and vibrant community.
