Well, I think you all know by now that I am not a prolific writer. But that’s not to say that Bright Beginnings Foundation directors have not been working actively to make things happen.

In March, Sylvia worked very hard planning and running an extremely successful Manure Sale. We completely sold out in an hour!! She didn’t stop working though, because just 7 weeks later she held the 7th annual Plant Sale. Thank you, Sylvia, for your hard work and dedication. And thank you to all the volunteers who helped make it happen.

In May we interviewed five excellent candidates for the BBF Bursary. After much, deliberation we decided to award one full-ride bursary to one candidate, and a $5,000 one-time grant to a second candidate. Because all of our other applicants were so deserving of assistance, the BBF Selection Committee took great pains to see that each of our shortlisted applicants received other awards, or a Dell desktop computer donated by Spartan Controls.

A message from one of our students:

“I (want) to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to meet with me and for the generous grant you have awarded. I deeply appreciate the opportunity and your support. Meeting with the Bright Beginnings Foundation’s Board was enlightening and inspiring. This grant will significantly help me adjust to post-secondary life financially. Moreover, I am committed to making the most of this opportunity. Thank you once again for your time and for believing in my potential.”

In June, we again teamed up with North Delta Rotary Club. This charitable group generously provided a $1,500 bursary so that one of our applicants could purchase a laptop computer, thereby helping her succeed in her post-secondary studies. Thank you, Rotary Club of North Delta.

Once again, the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society has kindly offered us a lucrative fundraising opportunity. BBF has signed up for four days in December to wrap gifts at Guildford Town Centre. We are calling for volunteers, so please email Tammy (tnrneuman@gmail.com) if you are able to help us at anytime on December 13th, 18th, 21st or 23rd. Contact us early for a good choice of shifts. (See below for special offer)

We have an exciting year ahead. We are coming up on BBF’s 10th Anniversary!!! We have been kicking around some ideas for how to celebrate this momentous occasion. We are open to any ideas you have, so please let us know.

As you know, Bright Beginnings Foundation is officially a Non-profit Society under the BC Societies Act. This means that we can apply for a slightly wider range of grants. We are in the process of researching grants that we are eligible for. If you have any information for us concerning either grant applications or fundraising opportunities, please let us know.

Please consider making a donation to Bright Beginnings Foundation. We are solely a volunteer-driven group. 99% of your donation goes towards providing BBF Bursaries for our students. On our behalf, Vancity Community Foundation provides tax receipts for all gifts over $20. You can donate here. (See below for special offer)

ENTER TO WIN!!

As an added incentive, anyone who responds to this newsletter by making a donation to BBF or volunteering for a gift-wrapping shift will be entered in a draw for a pair of free tickets to our next Pub Night (date TBD).

Offer expires midnight November 31st, 2024.