Book donations go to a good cause
Thanks to the Sooke community for the help and support it gave in a project to send second-hand children’s books to underprivileged children in the devastated areas from the recent cyclone in the South Pacific.
These books will help pre-school and junior high school in learning and provide their school with some resources.
Particular thanks to Sooke library and schools for their contributions of discarded books and all the residents that made a contribution.
On Sept 26, six boxes containing about 200 lbs. of books were shipped on Holland America’s MS Amsterdam which called in to Victoria on a repositioning cruise from Alaska to Sydney, Australia. They are calling in on a Fijian Island called Dravuni and will deliver the books to school teachers there. Maybe this gesture will help these children their education and will encourage them to better their circumstances.
Paul Martin, Sooke
Community support much appreciated
I want to give a big shout out to all the people in Sooke who have surrounded me with love and support during the worst month of my life after Rod died.
I got hugs wherever I went, and they’ve been quite welcome.
Sooke Minor Fastball stepped up to the plate and helped us send Rod off to the ball game in the sky in great style with a wonderful celebration of life. It’s all very much appreciated.
Rod and I had been planning to move to my daughter’s property in the Slocan Valley in the next couple of years. I’ve bumped up the moving date since I just couldn’t stay there without my best friend. I moved across the province on Oct. 7.
For those who want to stay in touch, my email indexer@tia-leschke.ca. will still work.
Tia Leschke, Winlaw
Election Canada workers efforts appreciated
On behalf of my husband and myself I would like to express appreciation to the workers at the advance poll at Sooke Community Hall on Oct. 9 for the assitance they gave us by providing chairs inside and to the woman near the head of the line for letting us go in front of her.
This is a good example of the carring community we are fortunate to live in.
Norma Arnett, Sooke
Sooke Fire Rescue volunteers in Panama
On Oct. 16, six members of the Sooke Fire Department embarked on a training mission to Boquete, Panama.
The trip comes 2.5 years after our previous (and inaugural) visit to Boquete, and is funded through hundreds of hours of fundraising by the participating members.
The schedule of our mission is centered around delivery of one week of theoretical and practical training, in basic and advanced auto extrication techniques, for approximately 40 firefighters from Boquete and the surrounding area.
In addition, we will be delivering donated school supplies to local children and also laying Canadian flags on the graves of four fallen soldiers in Panama City who have yet to receive the honour.
Throughout our trip, the team will be regularly updating a blog, so that the community can follow our progress. This blog can be found at sookefirefighters.wordpress.com. We can also be followed on Twitter at @FDBSooke.
We thank the community for its support of our fundraising efforts, and are proud to represent Sooke, Sooke Fire Rescue and Canada.
Ben Temple, Sooke Fire Rescue
Residents, First Responders earn gratitude and kudos
My wife and I were visiting our son and daughter-in-law in Sooke on Oct. 9 when we were involved in a collision on Wadams Way and Townsend Road.
We want to extend our appreciation to the members of Sooke Fire Rescue, B..C Ambulance Service and RCMP members for their prompt and professional response.
We especially would like to thank all of the Sooke residents for the overwhelming response and care they provided at the scene prior to the arrival of emergency responders.
The assistance rendered, provision of warm blankets and caring reassurance we received during that time made an obviously difficult situation substantially easier for us.
Dave and Lori Vicen
Edmonton