A Maple Ridge mechanical contractor has donated $25,000 to the local food bank.
The staff at Vanguard Mechanical held various fundraising missions starting at the beginning of October, which were more than matched by the company’s owners for the grand total going towards the Friends In Need Food Bank.
“We also understand there is a greater need than ever this season,” said Jacob Kuehne, co-owner of Vanguard Mechanical, noting that they are thrilled to be in a position to contribute to the community on this level.
This is the eighth year of the fundraising campaign.
Vanguard employee, Lauren Boyes, explained the fundraiser has become a company tradition and contributions have been increasing each year – resulting in this year’s record donation. Fundraising began with the annual kick off on Oct 1, at “Rocktoberfest” a private event held at the Kuehne’s residence.
Each weekend, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 4, venues were booked – at the Save-On-Foods at Westgate Shopping Centre, FreshCo, and Canadian Tire – where employees set up a stand display to collect donations.
Staff volunteered their time in shifts, said Boyes, who organized this part of the fundraising drive, and some were even joined by their children. They handed out flyers, gave out candy canes, sang, and danced. And, she said, the businesses were happy to accommodate them.
“We are so grateful for that,” she said.
Vanguard Mechanical was established in 2005 as a mechanical contractor specializing in new construction projects throughout the Lower Mainland.
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