For more than 50 years, the Elves Club has been spreading holiday cheer and funds on the Sunshine Coast. This year was no exception, with $39,315 raised locally between the telethon hosted by Eastlink Community TV and first responders — beating the club’s previous record of $36,180.
The first responders once again collected buckets of cash along the highway. The Gibsons & District Volunteer Fire Department raised $16,720, followed by $5,164 raised by Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM SAR) Station 14 (Gibsons). In various locations, $5,127 was raised by Sunshine Coast Ground Search and Rescue. The Roberts Creek Fire Department inspired $1,255 in donations. In front of the Independent, RCM SAR Station 12 (Halfmoon Bay) volunteers collected $761.25, one of their better years for Crash the Coast. Together the Egmont Fire Department and RCM SAR Station 61 (Pender Harbour) gathered $402.
All of the donations will be dispersed to Sunshine Coast residents who need an extra boost, including families, seniors, and people with addiction or mental health issues. This year the funds will be distributed through President’s Choice giftcards that can be used at the Independent, Shoppers Drug Mart, SuperValu, and the IGA and Red Apple in Gibsons.
There’s still an opportunity for the funds to grow — donations continue to be accepted at elvesclub.ca.
