Capilano University is putting the helping hands of students and faculty to work supporting the community and the Squamish Helping Hands Society.
Kevin Pearce, graduate of Capilano University's Tourism Management Diploma program and current president of Landsea Tours and Adventures, is leading the way with the Stuff the Bus charity drive.
The goal is to stuff the one of Landsea Tours 24-passenger buses -minus the seats - to the ceiling with blanket and clothing donations to help the community's underprivileged.
Items needed most include winter clothes, warm jackets, blankets, boots, sweaters, hats, mitts, and socks.
According to Squamish campus dean Chris Bottrill, since Pearce's 2006 graduation, the entrepreneur has held similar fundraisers in Vancouver in partnership with the St. James society. When Cap U approached him with the idea, he and the rest of the Squamish campus jumped at the chance, said Bottrill.
"What I'm really proud of and impressed with is the way that the campus -when we suggested this as a possibility -completely took hold of it and have enthusiastically moved forward with this," he said.
He added Pearce was also conscientious enough to take further steps to ensure all donations stayed in the community.
"Kevin Pearce just simply wanted to make a nice contribution back," said Bottrill. "When we suggested that he come up to Squamish and do it, he was really enthusiastic but he was also highly conscious of not taking something from Squamish and taking it somewhere else, so that's we built this partnership with [The Squamish] Helping Hands [Society] here. And he wants to make sure that what contributions there are in this actually stay in the community."
The endeavour also fits in with the university's overarching mandate of community involvement.
"Our strategic directions really focus on contributing to the community and being a good community citizen so it's definitely part of our make-up and who we want to be as an institution," said Bottrill.
"The aim of this is simply community building and it's hopefully a contribution that people feel good about."
Locals are encouraged to drop off donations at the bus, which will be parked in front of Nesters in Squamish Station mall on Wednesday (Oct. 20) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
David Blair will be on site to entertain visitors and donors with live music.
