Students in Nanaimo school district striving for scholarships received a big boost from the community.
Black Diamond Lodge No. 5 and Miriam Rebekah Lodge No. 3, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, donated $50,000 to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation.
The gift sustains a regular $1,500 a year scholarship for students pursuing studies in science, engineering or medicine.
“The foundation is extremely grateful for the generous donation from the Odd Fellows to provide a yearly award for a local student,” said Fred Kolodrubsky, foundation president. “With the increasing cost of education, local students are relying more and more on scholarships, bursaries and awards that the foundation provides to help them pursue their post-secondary dreams.”
Last year the foundation’s scholarship and bursary program distributed 346 scholarships, bursaries and awards worth $290,000.
The Order has been providing money for awards to Nanaimo school district students since 1968. The Black Diamond Lodge No. 5 has served Nanaimo residents since 1874.
For more information on the foundation, please go to www.nlsf.ca.