BRILLIANT

Christine Wood, Allyson Fawcus, Susan Shinn

West Sechelt Playground Enhancement Committee

Thank you West Sechelt Playground Enhancement Committee (WSPEC) for an amazing evening… “Ladies Night” at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens was outstanding.  It was so nice to go to an evening event with women, eating delicious appetizers, enjoying a glass of wine, and SHOPPING.  Seems like this was a winning combination.  It was standing room only.  Best of all, we were all there to support WSPEC with their continued efforts to raise money and build an inclusive playground at West Sechelt Elementary.  This fundraising event was so impressive on so many levels… I am truly grateful to have been part of this event… as a community member, parent, community futures board member, and school trustee.  It seemed to satisfy all of my interests, all at once.  Coincidently, I attended another community event the day before at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall titled “A Community Without Borders.”  The theme of this event was to “build a community you want to live in.”  It was looking at innovation, inclusion, literacy, and economic prosperity.  The event entailed various presentations by local champions describing their work and lived experiences on the Sunshine Coast.  To follow up that event with WSPEC Ladies Night astounded me.  Here is a group of women… Christine Wood, Allyson Fawcus, and Susan Shinn… at the core of the WSPEC… innovating, fundraising, and envisioning ways to raise money and awareness for this HUGE endeavor of building and affording an accessible playground at West Sechelt Elementary School for all kids… building a community they want to see.  This is a sub-committee of the West Sechelt Parent Advisory Council (PAC).  Their passion and enthusiasm are infectious.   Parents from the school community, teachers, friends, and family members came out to tonight to volunteer their time and expertise to make this event happen.  Each person had a unique job, whether it be collecting tickets, serving appetizers, or pouring glasses of wine.  This passionate and humble team pulled together to make a memorable and enjoyable event.  Furthermore, local businesses and individuals donated the gifts, prizes, and services for the silent auction table… including a trip for 4 to Whistler, which was raffled.  The 50/50 winner received $440 tonight and other raffle winners won prizes portions of the “wine wall” and gifts donated by vendors.  I loved how these vendors were small business on the Sunshine Coast and having live music, displaying local art, and photographer were a nice touch.  The WSPEC Ladies Night event was an outstanding evening to reconnect with those in my community.  The food was excellent.  The venue was extraordinary.  The people were AWESOME.  This is one of the best community events I have attended.  Lots of smiles.  Lots of winners.  Lots of LOVE.  This is how I want MY COMMUNITY to be…