McElhanney Consulting Services staff team wants to contribute to the community. That’s why they decided to support a child in KidStart.
KidStart is a volunteer-based mentoring program offered by The John Howard Society of North Island (JHSNI). This award-winning program connects vulnerable children and youth aged six to 18 with positive adult role models in the Comox Valley and Campbell River.
Ian Whitehead, McElhanney’s Vancouver Island vice-president, is a KidStart mentor. As well as volunteering his time on a weekly basis, Whitehead wanted to give the program a monetary donation.
“I wanted to help Comox Valley KidStart co-ordinator, Wendy Thurlborn, and the local JHSNI office. The work they do there is so important to us all, on so many levels. My definition of a true hero is someone who does good things for others but expects no public congratulation. To me, the staff at JHSNI typify this quality,” Whitehead said.
KidStart depends on donations, grants, and fundraising. The staff team at McElhanney Consulting Services committed to a KidStart Champion Gold Sponsorship. JHSNI is inviting other groups and individuals to take part in its KidStart Champions fundraising campaign.
Becoming a KidStart Champion is simple — you choose from three levels of monthly sponsorship (Gold = $100/month, Silver = $50, Bronze = $25). Gold covers the entire cost of a child’s participation in KidStart. Donations are tax deductible.
“We are thrilled that the staff members at McElhanney Consulting Services have decided to pool individual donations to add up to a KidStart Champion Gold Sponsorship,” said JHSNI executive director Wendy Richardson. “It’s a fantastic way to help a local child."
KidStart is looking for volunteer mentors as well as donors. There are more than 45 children aged six to 18 in the Comox Valley waiting for volunteer mentors to spend three hours a week with them.
Do you like fishing? Walking? Animals? Nature? Baking? Knitting? Biking? Playing board games? Consider sharing your time and interests with the next generation.
“KidStart is an easy way to ‘give back’ and make a difference in a young person’s life. It’s really rewarding and I would encourage anyone with a little spare time and an interest in helping others to give Wendy a call,” said Whitehead.
To find out more about becoming a KidStart Champion or volunteer mentor, contact Wendy at 250-338-7341, ext. 335, or wendyt@jhsni.bc.ca. Visit JHSNI online at www.jhsni.bc.ca/kidstartchampion.html.
— Comox Valley KidStart