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Comox District Co-op barbecue Saturday

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JOANNE SCOTT was the winner of the Comox District Co-op’s annual $100 Easter bunny giveaway. Co-op members can pick up their share of $400

This weekend at the Comox District Co-op’s annual members barbecue, general manager Richard Kerton will be handing out hot dogs, drinks — and $400,000.

The barbecue this Saturday at the Co-op bulk plant atop Mission Hill is when Co-op members receive their annual dividend cheques, which this year will be a little bit more substantial.

As an owner in the co-operative, each Co-op member receives an annual “patronage allocation” comprised of both cash and equity in the company. This year, however, Co-op’s board decided to give members their entire allocation in cash.

Though Kerton says most cheques to be handed out on Saturday range from $50 to $70, some are for more than $9,000 each.

“Our tagline is ‘moving ahead by giving back,’ ” says Kerton. “The giving back part happens this weekend. And as our members see the value of membership in the form of cash in their pockets, they realize they can earn even more by simply choosing Co-op for the things they’re going to buy anyway, like gas, coffee and snacks. That’s the moving ahead part!”

Despite the excitement around this year’s dividend cheques, Kerton stresses that the emphasis of the barbecue will be casual family fun.

“The barbecue is a place where our members can bring their families for a free lunch, chit-chat with fellow members and get to know the directors,” he says. “It’s about socializing with coffee and a hot dog; it’s a very family-friendly environment.”

The event also gives the Co-op’s board of directors an opportunity to find out about issues that are important to members in an informal setting.

“As they get bigger, a lot of organizations tend to get top-heavy,” says Kerton. “We always make sure we remember where we came from — it’s the people who are the heart and soul of the Co-op.”

The Comox District Co-op was founded in 1960 and today has more than 4,000 members. While many join simply because it makes economic sense to get paid for their everyday shopping, Kerton says a lot of members are more attracted to the social benefits of membership.

“Being part of the Co-op is being part of an organization that’s community oriented and that belongs to the community. Most of the money we spend stays right here in the Valley, and that’s important to a lot of our members.”

Co-op members can drop by the barbecue anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday to grab a hot dog and pick up their dividend cheque. To become a member, visit the Co-op gas bar at 699 Aspen Road in Comox or Co-op’s 24-hour Cardlock on Mission Hill.

— Comox District Co-op