The Windsor Plywood Foundation is helping SOS rebuild capacity and meet needs in the community.

“We’ve been very fortunate over the years,” said Windsor Plywood Foundation Director Cathy Brown. “Windsor is celebrating 50 years, so 50 years later this is a way for us to give back to the community that we operate in.”

Cathy is the daughter of Randle Jones, founder of Windsor Plywood. It all began when Randle purchased Windsor Building Supplies in Surrey in 1969. Over the past 52 years, he has continued to expand the Windsor Plywood name — both corporate and franchise locations — across Canada and into the United States.

About 40 years ago, Randle and his wife “retired” to the Parksville Qualicum Beach area and soon after, they opened the French Creek Store. Cathy says Randle, who is now 87, is still active in the business and continues to come into the three local stores regularly.

Randle and his late wife started the Windsor Plywood Foundation in 2008, working with the Vancouver Foundation to help them support meaningful charities and projects in the areas they operate. Cathy and her father continue to discuss all of the Foundation’s areas of giving.

“He and I talk about every single donation we’re going to give,” she said.

The Windsor Plywood Foundation has joined the SOS Biz for Good initiative — with a $10,000 donation to the Project Rebuild Campaign — because they value the work SOS has been doing for the past 53 years in the area, Cathy explained.

Gene Siegel, manager at the Windsor Plywood store in French Creek, said at a time like this, SOS services are very important to the community.

“We want SOS to be able to continue doing that good work,” he said.

SOS Biz for Good is an important part of the $1 Million SOS Project Rebuild Campaign focused on reinforcing a safety-net for residents of District 69. Businesses can visit the SOS Project Rebuild website to learn more about the initiative and the variety of ways to give. www.sosprojectrebuild.com.