A Loonie Will Go a Long Way
Information Updated March 9, 2005
Loonie Drive and Walkathon
The Richmond Mandarin Lions Club, in collaboration with the Richmond School District, Richmond Health Services, and several other agencies and businesses, has launched the “Richmond Caring Project” with a loonie drive to help young tsunami victims in South East Asia.
Members of the Richmond Mandarin Lions Club wanted to engage every Richmond community member to help school children in South East Asia, which complements School District fundraisers. They came up with a few ideas that are affordable to most. If every Richmond citizen contributed one loonie toward rebuilding and operating a new school for the young victims, most likely in Sri Lanka, the efforts would raise close to $180,000. “This type of fundraiser marks a new beginning for students and their parents in South East Asia, without asking too much from local Richmond residents,” says Lions Club President Helen Quan.
“We are very excited about this project. We want our students to know they are citizens of the world and, as such, they have a responsibility towards others who are less fortunate,” says Bruce Beairsto, Richmond Superintendent of Schools. “We also want them to know that when they work together they can accomplish great things.”
“There is genuine community support for this project, and I also encourage all Richmond citizens to proudly contribute a loonie to help create a brighter future for innocent young victims,” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Richmond Chinatown Lions Club member and Honorary Chair of the campaign.
Loonies can be deposited in water bottles strategically placed in businesses, community facilities and schools throughout the City. Other Richmond activities, such as a Walkathon scheduled for March 13, will help raise the necessary funds to rebuild a school, and will show just how much “Richmond cares” about the welfare of our next generation.
Forty-two supporting agencies are involved to date, including Richmond Health Services, R.C.M.P, City of Richmond, BR Care, Royal Bank, C.I.B.C., Richmond Youth Orchestra, and more. See the list below of where to drop your loonie.
- City Hall in the Front of House
- Brighouse (Main)Library
- Ironwood Library
- Cambie Community Centre
- South Arm Community Centre
- Steveston Community Centre
- Thompson Community Centre
- Royal Bank
- HSBC Bank
- Bank of Montreal
- Coast Capital Savings
The Richmond Mandarin Lions Club, in collaboration with the Richmond School District, has organized a walkathon for March 13, 2005, as part of the “Richmond Cares” project to help young tsunami victims in South East Asia.
Members of the Richmond Mandarin Lions Club want to engage every Richmond community member to help school children in South East Asia, which complements School District fundraisers. In addition to the loonie drive underway, organizers scheduled a walkathon to be held this Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m, beginning at Aberdeen Centre on Cambie Road with participants walking west on Cambie to No. 3 Road, south on No. 3 Road to Granville Avenue, where the walk will finish at Richmond City Hall. Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Aberdeen Centre, with Honorary Event Chair Mayor Malcolm Brodie and other VIP’s leading the walk at 2:30 p.m.
Both fundraisers will help to rebuild and operate a new school in South East Asia, and will show just how much “Richmond cares” about the welfare of our next generation.Walkathon pledge forms and the route map are available by calling Helen Quan at 604-649-2837 or Esther Ho at 604-805-8833.
