Frank and Bobbi Denton, longtime residents of the Comox Valley, have donated $50,000 to the Kus-kus-sum project.
The Dentons met with Project Watershed board chair, Paul Horgen, and technical director, Dan Bowen, to inform them of their desire to become Platinum Donors for Kus-kus-sum with a generous gift of $50,000.
The Dentons have deep roots in the community, having settled in the area with their two young children in 1975.
Frank opened an engineering/surveying consulting practice for Vancouver-based McElhanney, which has been operating in the Valley for 43 years.
“I worked with Frank on many projects in the past when I was with the Ministry of Transportation,” Bowen said.
Bobbi was the founder and owner/operator of Robert A, a local ladies’ clothing retail store. She operated the business for 25 years and it is still thriving, though now under different ownership.
“We came to the Valley for the outdoor lifestyle and to provide a good environment for our children”, said Frank. “The community has more than met those expectations as well as giving us great support in our businesses. Bobbi and I feel that this project will be a terrific attribute to the community, and will improve the environment and the quality of life for all.”
“This donation came at an opportune time as we were able to use it as part of the half million-dollar payment we made to Interfor at the end of June,” Horgen said. “We hope the Dentons’ gift stimulates other people in the Valley to open their pocketbooks as we believe that many see the purchase and restoration of this site as an important way to erase a rather unsightly landmark in our beautiful Valley and help bring it back to a more natural state.”
The Estuary Angel, who has committed to matching community donations this year, will match the Denton’s gift of $50,000.
The Estuary Angel notwithstanding, the Denton’s donation is the largest single monetary donation to Kus-kus-sum to date.
Project Watershed is halfway to its fundraising goal.
The next payment deadline is Dec. 20. Those who donate before this date will help leverage the Angel’s funds and enable Project Watershed to meet that deadline.
For more information on the purchase and restoration of the site, visit www.kuskussum.ca.
For more information regarding donations, call Project Watershed at 250-703-2871 and ask for Horgen or treasurer, Brian Storey.
–Submitted by Project Watershed