The City of Nanaimo Wave Babes dragonboat team likes a challenge.
Not only did it place eighth out of 38 women’s teams at the Save-On-Foods Dragon Boat Festival last month, it has stepped up its fundraising capacity.
Determined to find creative ways to raise donations for the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation, the team embarked on a year of new adventures. As a result of its fundraising activities the team donated $16,300 to the hospital foundation during the dragonboat festival.
Holding its annual plant sale in April raised $3,000, but it also offered the Wave Babes a chance to showcase their ‘pink bins’.
The Wave Babes have a pink scrap metal bin at 333 Tenth Street in Nanaimo and encourages everyone to drop off their scrap metal for recycling.
The metal is sold and profits are directed toward the purchase of breast cancer equipment for women on central Vancouver Island. There is no fee to drop off scrap metal in the pink bin and items like barbecues and lawn mowers are welcome, even if there may be some wood or plastic included.
The project has expanded to include a smaller pink bin for cans and bottles and is located near the Mid Island Co-op gas station on Bowen Road. As well, the Wave Babes are also selling dragon-inspired metal art at paddling festivals.
Brenda Rositano of the foundation said the Wave Babes have been incredibly motivated and their efforts are reflected in their generous donation for breast cancer related equipment.
“The foundation is grateful and privileged to partner with such a determined group,” she said.
To learn more about the hospital foundation, please visit www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.