The Wave Babes dragonboat team takes fundraising to a whole other level.
Not only do members raise precious funds for the health of women facing breast cancer in the Regional District of Nanaimo, they do so with the environment in mind.
Their win-win charitable efforts include the annual Think Pink When You Think Green scrap metal and bottle recycling event at Woodgrove Centre in January, the plant sale and eco fair each May, and ongoing pink bin scrap metal and bottle collections throughout the year at select locations around town.
As a result of the hard work, $21,500 was donated to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation for the purchase of equipment that helps detect and treat breast cancer at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
The paddlers joined ranks in 2006 and is made up of current or former City of Nanaimo employees. Together, they’ve raised more than $100,000 for the cause.
Brenda Rositano, of the hospital foundation, said the Wave Babes have outdone themselves yet again.
“Their ingenuity in fundraising and resolve to fight breast cancer is an inspiration to the foundation and on behalf of patients fighting this terrible hardship, we would like to thank the team for their hard work.”
Anyone wanting to drop off scrap metal or bottles for recycling can do so at the Wave Babes’ pink scrap metal bin at 333 Tenth St. in Nanaimo, and a smaller pink bin for cans and bottles at the Co-op gas station on Bowen Road.
And if patrons of Cob’s Bread in Terminal Park shopping centre mention they are fundraising for the Wave Babes, two per cent of the sale goes toward the team’s fundraising efforts.