We have a new Thrift Shop Donation Drop-Off schedule to serve you better! We are open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Thank you for your support!
Join us this Sunday, Nov. 20, to see the magical annual Silver Spur Toy Ride. Witness the wonderful Christmas spirit as up to 40 horses and riders (dressed up in their Christmas attire) parade through the streets of Parksville. During the event, they will collect toys for the families and carrots for the horses to snack on. The toys collected will help stock the SOS Toy Shop, where low-income parents, caregivers and grandparents can shop for free. We hope to see you there!
The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness (OTFH) is relaunching the Project Connect Health Fair Wednesday, Oct. 12 in the hopes of reconnecting those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with essential community resources and supports.
The Project ReConnect Health Fair will take place Oct. 12 from 10 am to 2 pm at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. The event is part of Homelessness Action Week (October 9-16) and some of the services provided at the Fair include health and hearing exams, veterinary care, a hot lunch, and lots of local information. Additionally, the OTFH will distribute care packages of survival gear, food, and personal care items.
To make a donation, or receive more information, please call 250-248-2093 ext. 248 or email oceansidehomelessness@gmail.com. Learn more about OTFH online at www.oceansidehomelessness.com.
Thank you to our partners at the PQB News for including SOS as recipients in their new “Walking Club – Delivering a Strong Community.” Please contact the PQB News for more information!
SOS is launching a free quarterly series of public learning seminars starting this fall.
This series will discuss topics that are most important to the social safety net that supports the wellbeing of our residents now and in the future.
The first seminar will take place Saturday, October 1 from 10am to noon, at the SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville. This legacy Giving information session will help residents learn ways their estate planning can help save money on taxes while at the same time investing in the good works of causes they care about.
For more information and to pre-register, call SOS at 250-248-2093 by September 29. Seminar capacity is limited to the first 50 registrants. There will be free refreshments and giveaways for all attendees.
Our first ever #SOSTeenShop event was so much fun! Coinciding with SOS Thrift Shop’s 19th anniversary at its current location, around 60 local youth enjoyed live music, food and a shopping extravaganza at SOS Thrift Shop on Sept. 8. “We were really pleased with the turnout and the overall positive vibe of the event,” said SOS child, youth & family programs manager, Alice Tulia. “This was a great way to help local youth get items they need, while providing a safe and fun space for them to enjoy themselves.”
The Teen Shopping Event kicked off with live music by local singer Amber Davie outside the Thrift Shop. Youth enjoyed food and took part in the self-temporary-tattoo station before moving inside to spin a prize wheel for discounts. DJ ALL GOOD was set up spinning tracks and setting the scene for a rollicking good time, while teens shopped and took part in the scavenger hunt and selfie station.
The aim of the Teen Shopping event was to help remove the stigma attached to shopping second-hand, which helps keep items out of the landfill and promotes ethical and sustainable shopping. SOS also wanted to host an event just for teens to show them how valued they are, and connect them with other free resources at SOS, explained Tulia.
One of the messages received from a parent captured the enthusiasm at the event. “Thank you so much for providing such a great youth event last night! My kids came home with some great treasures and great deals, and they were so excited!”
For information on free SOS youth programs in Parksville and Qualicum Beach, visit www.sosd69.com/youth-programs. Watch our social media pages for announcements of other Youth events!
