Thrifty Foods goes wild at Longwood Station on Saturday (July 13) for its annual Sockeye Salmon Festival and it’s all in support of the Tour de Rock and Cops for Cancer.
“We wanted to highlight a renewable and healthy resource,” said Dan Zapotichny, store manager at Longwood Station. “And support a great cause.”
They’re starting early, he said, because the more money raised the better. With the tour coming through Nanaimo on Sept. 29, there’s plenty of time to grow the coffers.
With two of Nanaimo’s own constables, Misty Dmytar, from the Nanaimo detachment, and Ed de Jong, Gabriola Island detachment, riding in the 22-member team, it’s a homegrown fundraiser paired perfectly with the best-known seafood – wild sockeye salmon.
“It’s a great tie-in,” Zapotichny said. “Not only is salmon good for us but it’s also our tastiest renewable resource.”
Covering 1,000 kilometres in 14 days, the Tour de Rock enters its 15th year with 27 communities looking forward to its arrival. Every year its popularity grows and fundraising by organizations across the Island is eagerly embraced.
Thrifty Foods, with its customers, staff and suppliers, raised more than $220,000 in the past three years and has no plans to stop its support, especially when most of the money is flagged for Camp Good Times, a safety focused, medically supervised, recreational experience for kids with cancer and their families.
Burgers will be on the barbie at 11 a.m. and served until 3 p.m. Zapotichny suggests a donation of $5 and said that all proceeds will be given to the Tour de Rock.
“You won’t miss seeing where burgers will be served,” he said. “Just look for the 20-foot sport fishing boat, face painting for kids and large sign.”