A creative bit of PR has nabbed the BC Mining Museum a crucial and expensive piece of equipment.
Donations were needed to replace the museum's 25-year-old Bobcat, which is used for general maintenance, renovation and construction projects around the site, and would cost tens of thousands to replace.
So executive director Kirstin Clausen came up with the idea of writing an obituary as a humorous way to express the museum's need. Robin MacDonald, bookings and communications co-ordinator, took on the task.
"When I was first asked to write an obituary for the Bobcat, I was not sure how funny it would be or how well-received, but Finning answered the call," said MacDonald.
The obituary read, in part:
"Bob Cat: 1984 2009. Born in 1984, Bob was given up for adoption in 1997 at the age of 13, when he came to work at the museum. Although he was not paid he was given a home and plenty of work to do.Over the years he proved himself to be irreplaceable as he worked tirelessly long days with pride and dedication. In more recent years he became increasingly demanding and decreasingly productive.
"We desperately want to adopt again. If you or anyone you know has a replacement for Bob Cat, (of any brand and model of a midsized skid steer loader) your help would be greatly appreciated. We promise to provide him with a home where he will receive love and care for many years to come."
The obituary came across the desk of Vin Coyne of Finning Canada, an influential leader in the mining industry, who must have appreciated the humour it wasn't long before the museum received a call from Norm Trottier at Finning with some great news.
"At first he thought we wanted to borrow a skid steer loader," said MacDonald.
"When I began to thank him profusely on the phone, he paused and asked how long we needed to borrow it for. There were a few more phone calls before we received the news that they were sending us the equipment."
What the museum received was a 2007 Caterpillar 246B with very low usage. It would have cost in excess of $30,000 to purchase, said Clausen.
When the machinery arrived, Clausen climbed right in.
"Maybe I should learn to drive?" she said.
The Caterpillar was delivered by Squamish Finning rep Steve Cook who trained the museum staff on their new skid steer.
"Finning is one of many leaders and generous companies in the mining industry, this donation from Finning shows that all types of donations are necessary, not just money," said Clausen.
The Caterpillar will be instrumental in the completion of the Britannia Project, which involves the mining industry with the museum's mission to increase mining awareness and to educate visitors from around the world. The project remains on schedule with completion of key element projected for fall of 2010 and continuing into 2011, said Clausen.
