Residents have the power to help the Howe Sound Women's Centre extend their non-profit second hand store Pearl's 2nds by voting for a proposal that can earn organizers $25,000 to $100,000.
The registered charity and non-profit organization operates a second hand store from which all proceeds go towards Howe Sound Women's Centre programs - programs to help women and children who are experiencing violence - and the centre's initiative caught the attention of enough Canadian voters to make it to the second round of the Aviva Community Fund Competition.
The Aviva Community Fund competition was created to make a positive impact in Canadian communities by funding local and national initiatives for change, whether it's through providing education, youth programs, helping the environment or cultural activities.
In their application, Howe Sound Women's Centre said expanding the store would allow the non-profit organization to increase the charity's ability to recycle goods back into the community and start recycling building materials back into the community.
"We need more people voting for us," said front line support worker Wendy Faris. "This is exciting and could be huge for the women's centre in terms of helping us become increasingly financially self- sufficient which is imperative to the growth of our services and programs."
Voters can choose the "Recycle to help women and children who are experience violence" proposal and vote up to 10 times between Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.
Some other proposals include dredging and building a recreational trout pond, installing solar panels on a community centre and providing hot, healthy lunches to elementary school students.
The direct link to the Howe Sound Women's centre proposal is www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf5886. For further information, contact Wendy Faris at 604-892-5748.
