VICA raises over $23,000 for toys and groceries for those in need

VICTORIA – The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) has raised $23,000 in support of families in need across Vancouver Island.

The funds were generated by two of the association’s longstanding holiday initiatives, the Grocery Gift Card program which earned $13,000 and a Holiday Toy Drive which earned $10,000.

“Time after time, VICA Members’ commitment to Vancouver Island communities shines brightly through our holiday initiatives. The unwavering support of our members empowers us to directly impact the lives of families in need, especially during these challenging times,” VICA CEO Rory Kulmala said in a statement.

Funds raised for the Grocery Gift Card program are used to purchase gift cards which are then distributed to Vancouver Island elementary schools.

Recipient schools include Ruth King Elementary in Langford, Tillicum in Saanich, George Jay and Oaklands Elementary Schools in Victoria, Georgia Avenue Community School in Nanaimo, and Cedar Elementary in Campbell River. Each elementary school received $2,150 worth of grocery gift cards to distribute to families in their communities, a VICA release said.

Funds for the grocery gift card program were raised through VICA’s annual Christmas luncheon, held on Dec. 15 at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, B.C.

The $10,000 worth of new, unwrapped toys were collected at both VICA offices and donated to CFAX’s Santa’s Anonymous, The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive, and the Parksville Society of Organized Services, alongside a donation to the Ladysmith Resource Centre.