Julie Lawlor is the Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce
WESTSHORE – On May 3rd and in co-operation with our sponsors including Title Sponsor Hemminger Law Group Westshore, the WestShore Chamber of Commerce held Viva La WestShore at Olympic View Golf Club. Our third annual casino night, each year this event raises funds to support the work of the WestShore Chamber of Commerce and a local charity. In previous years our recipients were the Goldstream Food Bank and the Pacific Centre Family Services Association. This year, we raised $500 for our member the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island.
This would not have been possible without the generous donations of live and silent auction prizes by many WestShore organizations. To all who donated, sponsored and participated – thank you! The WestShore Chamber would not exist without the robust support of our community. I continue to be grateful for the generosity of the people who own and work in the businesses of our region.
The reason I like to talk about charitable giving in a business column is because I’m passionate about the huge impact businesses make in the community through their contributions in volunteer hours, in-kind donations and money. When it works best, this is all part of a virtuous circle where community supports business and business supports community.
And some things that happen resonate across all sectors. The WestShore community as a whole, was shocked and saddened when we learned that Constable Sarah Beckett of the West Shore RCMP had been killed in the line of duty on April 5th, 2016. After consultation with Constable Beckett’s family and in her honour, the Sarah Beckett Memorial Playground is being created next to Westhills Stadium in Langford. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to support the Playground through the
Rotary Club of West Shore’s “Buy A Brick” campaign. For $200, a brick can be purchased for the playground engraved with a company or individual name or message. You’ll find more information on both the City of Langford and Rotary Club of West Shore’s websites.
To conclude my observations on the intersection between business and community, I’d like to give a shout-out to Orbus Business Networks. A business networking organization which supports non-profits, the Westshore chapter meets on the third Thursday of every month for a non-host luncheon at White Spot in Langford. The meeting is informal and friendly, and if you’d like to learn more please reach out to Richard Toop at orbusmembership@gmail.com
Julie Lawlor is the Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce.
You can reach her at jlawlor@westshore.bc.ca
