COWICHAN VALLEY
14
OCTOBER 2016
LOCAL CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM GENEROUS COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
T
he Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce joi n s Chambers across the province in celebrating Small Business Month. Small businesses power our local economy and play a vital role in creating jobs at home. Small Business Month is the perfect time to buy local, and celebrate these hard-working businesses that spark innovation and entrepreneurial spirit on Vancouver Island. Our Chamber celebrates Small Business Month with the 4th annual Business Showcase on October 21. It’s an all-day event that opens with morning seminars, followed by a luncheon presentation with John Hankins, of Nanaimo
COWICHAN VALLEY SONJA NAGEL
S. McInnes & Associates Ltd.
Economic Development. The Showcase runs all afternoon. Admission is free; there are draw prizes, a live radio broadcast, and opportunities to connect, in person, with 25+ Cowichan businesses. ■■■ September was a lucrative fundraising month for Island charities: The Vancouver Island Motor Gathering at the new Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit drew more than 10,000 people and showcased 600 vehicles. The event raised more than $150,000 for the David Foster Foundation and the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation. We are pleased to learn that the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit will be the permanent home of the Motor Gathering, and there are plans to grow the excitement with more attendees and vehicles.
■■■ The Savour Cowichan Festival lau nched w ith two marquee events. More than 800 people attended Barge on In and Oktoberfest events, enjoying local wine, beer, cider, spirits and culinary delights on a tented barge at Mill Bay Marina. Proceeds from both events go to the Canucks Autism Network’s 2017 summer camp for Island families and children living with autism. ■■■ The Chamber had its largest luncheon yet, at the new Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, with 130 members in attendance. Brent Evans, Track Operations Manager, presented an overview of the Circuit’s vision, design, and future plans. Guests enjoyed a gourmet lunch, draw prizes, and
sunny views over the fabulous 250-acre facility. The Motorsport Circuit is owned by the GAIN Dealer Group that recently refurbished and reopened the Villa Eyrie Resort (formerly Aerie Resort). The Villa Eyrie is open to Circuit members and the public and features the Summit Restaurant and Tuscan Spa. ■■■ The Chamber welcomes new members: MKE Canada, Veritas Counseling Services and the Tire Exchange. Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at manager@duncancc.bc.ca or 250-748-1111
Nurse Next Door Takes Top Prize Cowichan Valley Citizen UNCAN - There seems to be no end to accolades Chris Wilkinson, Tawnya Ketch and their business have earned since they began operations nine years ago. The Duncan-based Central Vancouver Island Nurse Next Door Home Care Services was named the 2016 Nurse Next Door franchise of the year from almost 100 franchises across North America at the organization’s
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annual conference last week. It’s the third time the business has won the award, the first Nurse Next Door franchise to be so honoured. Wilkinson said the business’s approximately 85 staff members across the central Island are still abuzz from the achievement. “Our caregivers, who work closely with people in their homes, are great at their jobs and that’s one of the main reasons we are being recognized,” he said.
Chris Wilkinson and Tawnya Ketch, co-owners of the Central Vancouver Island Nurse Next Door Home Care Services