More than $3,800 was raised to directly support Sunshine Coast KidSport when Sunshine Coast Credit Union and Marketplace IGA teamed up for a free outdoor family movie night on Monday, July 25, at Brothers Park in Gibsons.
More than 750 people attended the inaugural Great Outdoor Movie Event, complete with a three-storey inflatable screen, featuring Rio, a Disney film.
Guests were invited to bring their own blankets and enjoy an evening of fun for all ages. Admission was free and the evening began with a barbecue concession, courtesy of the Gibsons Rotary Club, cotton candy, popcorn, Bouncy Castles, face painting and 50/50 draws.
"Partnering with Sunshine Coast Credit Union and MarketPlace IGA to support the youth in our community just made sense," said KidSport co-chair Diane Wagner. "These organizations are all about giving back to their communities, and this event will now allow at least 25 children to take part in a sport of their choice."
Shelley McDade, CEO of Sunshine Coast Credit Union, congratulated employees of the Credit Union and Marketplace IGA for their commitment to creating an event that not only benefits a great cause, but also creates a sense of community on the Coast. "Our employees are leaders in volunteerism and this was our opportunity to partner with an organization that directly benefits deserving kids in our own backyard," McDade said.
Bob Hoy, owner of Marketplace IGA in Gibsons, agreed: "We value our community and the children in it; they are our future and we were excited to have the opportunity to create an event just for them," Hoy said. "Hosting this evening was so much more powerful than simply writing a cheque to KidSport. To look around and see the excitement of the kids, the enthusiasm of the volunteers and so many people supporting the cause; it was a powerful thing."
-Submitted
