VICA raises more than $20,000 for families in need

VICTORIA – Members of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) have raised more than $20,000 for families in need this holiday season.

“We are fortunate to have a strong construction economy on Vancouver Island, allowing our members to express their support for the communities in which we work and live. The holidays can be a stressful time for anyone and we hope our donations will be able to ease that burden for those in need,” said Rory Kulmala, chief executive officer of VICA, in a news release.

Roughly $13,000 was raised through VICA’s Grocery Gift Card program at the annual Christmas luncheon and $7,000 through its Holiday Toy Drives, according to the release.

VICA used $13,000 to buy grocery gift cards and distribute them to Vancouver Island elementary schools. Six schools were selected with each receiving $2,150 worth of gift cards, states the release.

VICA donated $7,000 worth of new toys to CFAX’s Santa Anonymous, The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive and the Parksville Society of Organized Services, as well as $500 to the Ladysmith Resource Centre.