Erin Haluschak
Record Staff
It’s a critical kitchen appliance this time of year, and Phil Peterson of Kean Auto Services in Courtenay hopes he is able cook up a fundraiser to aid in purchasing an oven for those in need.
Entering its second year, Peterson is hoping to raise enough funds through a fundraising drive to purchase a stove for the Stepping Stones Women’s Recovery House.
“Finances are always tight, and their range isn’t working … it’s beyond repair,” he explained. “Last year, the community was so responsive; people are great and it was really overwhelming.”
Last year, employee Heather Phalen found out the recovery house was lacking furniture and saving for a TV.
She and owner Peterson created a Christmas fundraising drive, with a tree filled with Christmas balls.
For a donation, people were able to write their names on the balls, and the donations — along with the named decorative balls — were given to the recovery house to purchase a Christmas dinner.
“Last year, we received a call from someone who said they would donate a TV. I thought it would be a second-hand television but someone came down with a brand new TV from Costco. It was just so neat,” noted Peterson.
In addition to the donations, the shop is also donating a portion of its income from repairs to the drive.
It is also collecting food and gift donations for the house.
The drive will run for three weeks this month, with the hopes of delivering a stove prior to Christmas.
Kean Auto Services is located at 180 North Island Highway, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday for donations.
For more information or to donate to the initiative, call 250-897-3643 or drop off donations on-site.
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