BBF at Canada Day
July 1st, 2016
Today the Bright Beginnings Foundation set up a table at Surrey’s Canada Day celebration. We were at Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Cloverdale. Our tent has been so generously loaned to us by Boundary Park Elementary School Principal and strong BBF supporter, Kirpaul Kaur. It sheltered us from both the hot sun and rain that fell on us. We were sandwiched between the Surrey Search and Rescue tent and a private, for-profit educators tent. Both groups helped us out immensely. I am so grateful to the S & R people who came to my rescue when they saw that I could not pitch our tent by myself. The other group had a spin-the-wheel game and were giving away freebies galore. They attracted many visitors to their tent and always had long line-ups. They provided us a captive audience! A perfect situation for us!!
It was a very successful day for us. We changed our focus a little and it will serve us well in the long run. This time we collected very little in the way of cash donations because we were focussed on the long-term goal of Bright Beginning Foundation. We need the sponsorship of businesses, clubs (Lions, Gizeh, etc.), Societies (Khalsa,etc.) and Associations (Unions and Federations). So, the approach we took was to ask if they knew of any groups that may be interested in sponsoring us. The response was wonderful! We came away with several businesses to contact and others who took our brochure to pass on, with their recommendation, to their bosses. All-in-all, not a bad haul!
Once again, I was interviewed by a TV station. Global TV was on-site asking people about what Canada Day means to them. I replied that I would like to talk about BBF’s Canada Day wish. Our wish is that Canada would provide equal opportunities for a post-secondary education, regardless of your income. I gave a very brief description of Bright Beginnings Foundation as well. Not surprisingly, the interview was not aired. But I left thinking to myself that the second time being interviewed in front of the camera was not as nerve-wracking as the first time. I guess that each time I do it I will feel a little more relaxed.
I should mention that I lied when I said I didn’t make the news. I was on for one second as I was walking behind someone being interviewed. ;) The BBF tent could be seen in the background too.
