Next: BBQ, then dance!

Kimberley Refugee Resettlement Group (KRRG) reports it is $3,000 closer to helping refugee families make Kimberley home as a result of its two latest fundraisers: a Dessert Evening at the Anglican Church Hall and a Silent Auction in the midst of ‘Spring Splash’ at Kimberley Alpine Resort.

The Dessert Evening on Thursday, March 31, satisfied at least 80 attendees with a taste for sweets and good cheer.

The impressive assortment of delectables, made and donated by volunteers, also showcased spring flower arrangements including dainties at every table, thanks to the produce department at the Overwaitea Store and volunteers’ creativity.

The event was significantly enhanced by the inviting opportunity to shop both from Liela Cooper and her sister Laura’s artful display of Silpada Designs’ jewelry and handcrafts from around the world, and by placing orders from the Regal Gift Catalogue.

At evening’s end, Ms. Cooper presented KRRG with a check for 100% of her commission from the evening’s sales totalling well over $600. Individual cash contributions added more than $500 to the total and an eclectic silent auction netted and additional $500. Cyndy Moore and Louise Hockley, the Evening’s co-hosts, expect the evening’s total will push past $1,700, since Ms. Hockley is still accepting Regal Catalogue orders until April 30 (telephone 250/427-3726).

Silent auction donations included contributions from Sully’s Barber Shop, Crème Cheese Shop, The Old Bauernhaus, Melody Motors, Wine Works, Canadian Wildlife Federation, B & B Glass and Shoppers Drug Mart. Individuals providing gifts with a personal touch included Ruth Carlson, Elaine Pickles and Liela Cooper.

Two days later, the thrills of Kimberley Alpine Resort’s festive Spring Splash provided a lively background for another in KRRG’s series of silent auctions. Participants came from the surging crowd of skiers, splashers and partiers alike, pausing at KRRG’s tent, on loan from Investors Group.

Volunteers welcomed questions and encouraged people to join one of KRRG’s Teams, while visitors and locals made cash donations and chose from generously donated items including: Rock chip repair (B& B Glass); two nights accommodation (Mountain Spirit Resort); two nights Accommodation (Northstar Mountain Village); Golf Package (Kimberley Golf Club); International Tastes & Flavours Gift Basket (Friends of the Library); Summer Camp Program (Blue Lake Centre); Men’s Haircut (Sully’s Barber Shop); Canada Goose “Kensington Parka”- (Nola & Wayne McLaren); and a 14″ pizza (Grubstake Pizza)! The fundraising team’s Lee Scott and Lisa Stemo, who coordinated the event, celebrated the $1,360 generated by silent auction winners and contributors, noting it exceeded even the team’s expectations.

Added to the earlier Dessert Evening success, KRRG has a healthy $20,000 in the bank, further encouraging volunteers who are intent on more than doubling that figure with cash and in-kind donations.

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April 23 – Overwaitea Foods showcases KRRG when it launches a summer-long Saturday Outdoor BBQ in support of local nonprofits. Get to know KRRG volunteers who’ll sport aprons as cooks and servers, all proceeds going directly to help refugees make Kimberley home.

April 30 – Dance! Celebrate spring and help a great cause when Kimberley’s own well known local blues band ‘The Hollers’ cover tunes from the Memphis blues to today’s musical soundscape. Kimberley’s Centennial Hall (100 – 4th Avenue) is the scene, Saturday, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets ($20) can be purchased at Snowdrift Café and Kootenay Mountain Works. Adding to the fun, KRRG has a 50-50 draw and another impressive silent auction. Wine, beer and snacks also will be available for sale. Special thanks to The Hollers, City of Kimberley and Kimberley Chamber of Commerce.

May 1 to 31 – Kimberley’s BC Liquor Store will have donation boxes available all month long.

Ongoing – Kimberley’s Bottle Depot now makes it easy to donate refunds on cans and bottles to Kimberley Refugee Resettlement Group.

KRRG’s next regular meeting, open as always, is Thursday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kimberley’s Aquatic Centre, courtesy of the City of Kimberley. The next evening meeting will be announced for early in May. Everyone interested in learning more about or contributing to KRRG is welcome.

Find more information and ways to get involved, including easy monthly automatic transfers or one-time on-line donations, in-kind donations or cash, check and credit card information, all at the KRRG website, KRRG’s Facebook page and at ‘Berley Times.

For people interested in receiving a monthly newsletter, which is currently under development, simply e-mail a request to [email protected].

Lead image: Silpada Designs representative Liela Cooper (right) presents 100% of her commissions from the evenings’ sales to KRRG co-hosts Cyndy Moore (left) and Louise Hockley (centre). Photos Submitted

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