Halloween is coming up fast, and the Halloween Glowsticks Fundraiser for Diabetes Research is back.
Glowsticks are a great alternative or addition to your trick-or-treating supplies — the kids love them and they make the fun safer when the sun goes down.
On top of all that, you can feel great about your choice as each glowstick purchase supports life-changing and life-saving research funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in their quest to find a cure for diabetes and help those with the disease live longer, better lives.
“I got the idea while attending the Canada Day fireworks at the Comox marina a few years back,” says Mackenzie Gartside, the creator and organizer of this local fundraising effort. “There were several entrepreneurial children with stands selling glowsticks, and they were really popular — all the kids wanted them.
"It occurred to me that glowsticks would be a great addition to Halloween, adding both excitement and safety to the trick-or-treating. It also fits so well with the JDRF, as children with diabetes can’t enjoy Halloween candy to the same extent as other children. Glowsticks are fun for everyone.”
This will be the third year for the Halloween Glowstick Fundraiser. Last year, over $2,000 was raised for the JDRF.
Several schools are participating by gathering orders from students, as well as many business and community organization partners which are helping to spread the word.
Any Parent Advisory Councils not already involved, or any local businesses who’d like to help spread the word are encouraged to contact Mackenzie Gartside for more details (250-331-0800, mgartside@comoxmortgages.com).
The Glowstick Bracelets are available in multi-color packages of 100 for $10, and include connectors which allow them to be worn individually (as bracelets) or chained together.
Bracelets can be bought from 9:30 to 5 from Mondays to Fridays at Mackenzie Gartside & Associates at 212 Fifth St. in Courtenay. Cash or cheque payment is accepted.
— Mackenzie Gartside