2019 was a busy and relatively normal year. With the advent of Covid-19, however, 2020 has found us all in a totally different world with lockdowns, quarantines, bubbles, and many other terms added to our collective vocabulary.
Nanoose Community Services’ major initiative in 2020 is still the Food Program. In addition, NCS provides financial aid to support low income children to participate fully in school and, on rare occasions, provides funding for essential services in emergency situations. An integral part of our work is connecting our ‘clients’ to other resources such as housing or mental health support and more. The Elf Program will continue to distribute gifts to families and individuals at Christmas,
In 2019 our fifteen Client Service volunteers met each month with clients to monitor the phone lines, among many other duties. Sixty plus other volunteers and supporters helped raise funds by working at the Parksville Sand Sculpting Competition, Art in the Garden and other events. A highlight in 2019 was the successful Gala and Auction organized by Patrick Murray and team members Joanie Miller, Crystal Ironside, and Marion Clark.
A special shout-out goes to 2019’s The Elf Program team. Led by Chief Elf, Geraldine Taron, and assisted by Maureen Moore and Karen Murphy, this dedicated team was busy from October through December. Geraldine reported that in 2019 the Elf Program assisted fifty-four households, comprising over one hundred individuals. Thirty-two sponsors assisted with helping specific families at Christmas last year. The 2020 Christmas Elf program is soon to be up and running! Watch for trees around the community adorned with gift ‘wish’ tags. (See article below)
Treasurer Liz Holme presented the 2019 financial statements which showed a surplus for the first time in several years. This was mainly due to some very generous donations from individuals, plus the Gala and Auction.
The Board members remained the same for 2020 and are listed on our website. However, there will be several vacancies on the Board in the spring of 2021, and I urge anyone who may be interested to contact me at pambjornson@shaw.ca.