Skip to content

‘Signs’ of the times

Squamish businesswoman sells signs to fundraise for Howe Sound Women Centre in honour of RCMP who helped her.
Squamish business owners are a generous lot, often giving back to their community.

But not all do so for such a personal reason as Susan Thompson.

Thompson owns Whimsy Daisy Design and is hosting a fundraiser for the Howe Sound Women's Centre.

She said she was helped recently by both the Squamish and North Vancouver RCMP and Victim Services and is supporting the centre in their honour.

She gave a personal donation to the organization, she says, but wants to do more.

Thompson told The Chief in an email she was recently the victim of a crime and "was living in high alert mode 24/7" for months.

She credits the police and victim services with helping her through it.

"The RCMP were amazing, and I feel they went above and beyond," she said.

"This experience shook me to the core. I had never felt fear like this in my life, and I couldn't help but wonder what it must be like for women who live in abusive and violent situations on a regular basis.

 "Thank you to counselling and the support of Squamish and North Vancouver Victim Services, I was able to regain my strength... and to face my fears head-on."

Raising money for Howe Sound Women's Centre is in honour of the RCMP officers and victim services who helped her through it all.

"I have released a collection of signs that reflect my experience, that are uplifting and simple. Proceeds from these signs will go to the Howe Sound Women's Centre in hopes that the money can contribute to their ongoing quest to combat violence of all kinds and to create a safe place for the women and children who need it," she said.

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look your fears in the face."

Go to her Etsy store to see the signs. For every purchase, $15 will go toward the nonprofit.

In honour of International Women's Day, Howe Sound Women's Centre is also holding a month-long online auction.

 

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks