SEPTEMBER 2016
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DUNCAN Duncan Ramada turns 123 this year
Vancouver Island WWW.BUSINESSEXAMINER.CA PAGE 19
The Nanaimo Foundation Sets a Funding Record
GABRIOLA ISLAND
Group Has Supported the City’s Non-Profit Organizations Since 1982
Architrave Specializes in classic west coast style projects
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There were a lot of smiling faces August 16 when the Nanaimo Foundation presented $70,000 in grants
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OUR 10TH YEAR
BY DAVID HOLMES
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ANAIMO – Created with the goal of making the community a better place, the Nanaimo Foundation (NF) has been helping the region’s community groups and non-profit organizations since 1982. That level of active and generous support reached an alltime high August 16 when the organization presented $70,000 in grants to
11 different non-profit groups at a special ceremony held at Nanaimo’s Diana Krall Plaza. The exceptional funding support came as the result of a partnership between the Nanaimo Foundation, the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th and Island Savings Credit Union. “It really was an historic moment for the Foundation as it was the largest amount we’ve ever given in grants,” explained Laurie
Bienert, the Development Officer for the Nanaimo Foundation. Originally known as the Nanaimo Community Foundation, the NF was initially established and funded by members of the Associated Canadian Travelers Nanaimo Club (ACT) with the stated mission of aiding local charitable organizations. The Foundation’s motto is: Connecting and Sharing – Making Our Community Better, a mission the group’s current staff
and Board of Directors continue to vigorously support. “There are 191 different Community Foundations across Canada, groups that are increasingly important for the funding of local community organizations,” Bienert said. “The geographic area we serve mirrors that of School District 68, essentially Nanaimo, Lantzville, SEE NANAIMO FOUNDATION | PAGE 5
Centre Upgrading To Better Showcase Forest Industry History BC Forest Discovery Centre: A Regional Landmark For More Than 50 Years
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UNCAN – They like making forest puns at the BC Forest Discovery Centre (BCFDC), that’s why Manager Chris Gale says, with a chuckle, t h at its on goi n g upg rad i n g program is all part of a plan to ‘spruce-up’ the facility. Continuing with the theme, a mighty oak has certainly grown from the tiny acorn planted at the site more than
50 years ago. “The origin of the Centre, which was created to celebrate and preserve the history of BC’s forest industries, goes back to the early 1960’s and the donation of more than 5,000 artifacts from the collection of founder Gerry Wellburn and his family,” Gale said. Originally called the Forest Museum, this tangible salute to
regional industries and eco systems was initially built around the Wellburn collection, an expansive assortment of forestry equipment ranging from steam locomotives to other rare and often large pieces of vintage logging equipment. A first Board of Directors for the fledging non-profit organization was founded in 1964, with the museum opening its doors to the
public in 1966. From its original 15 acre site the museum has grown over the years and now encompasses more than 100 acres. The Centre features a collection of old forestry buildings including a blacksmiths shop, a ranger’s lookout tower and a logging camp. “Of course the highlight of any SEE BC FOREST DISCOVERY CENTRE | PAGE 26