BY DUCK PATERSON
Downtown Ladysmith has been a big part of the success of the annual Show ‘n’ Shine and it showed after last year’s show. When all the dust had settled and all bills paid, the members of the Ladysmith Show ‘n’ Shine turned over a cheque for $3,000 to the Sam Bailey Endowment Fund at Vancouver Island University.
Members of the Ladysmith Show ’n’ Shine and the Pacific Coast Mustang Association gathered on March 17 to present the cheque to automotive and mechanical trades faculty at VIU. This presentation was the eighth time the local car show has been able to use leftover proceeds to assist young people in furthering their education. Each year VIU, through the endowment, gives out two $1,000 awards to a student in the heavy duty mechanical program and one to a student in the automotive mechanical program. Over that time more than $15,000 has been awarded to students taking these courses.
The endowment was created in honour of Sam Bailey, a qualified heavy duty mechanic, automotive mechanic, and welder who taught heavy duty mechanics at VIU for many years. Bailey was a keen instructor, and was also an active member of the Vancouver Island old car community. After retiring from teaching, he co-founded the Pacific Coast Mustang Association and also established Centerline Appraisals, becoming a sought-after evaluator of collectible cars. Bailey was most known for his love for mid-’60s Ford Mustangs.
This year’s Ladysmith Show ’n’ Shine is set for Aug. 19 in downtown Ladysmith. Last year the show attracted more than 300 registered vehicles and organizers say that this year’s show is expected to be even bigger.
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editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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