Scott Stanfield
Record Staff
The L’Arche Comox Valley I Belong! Campaign has raised over $400,000 to build a house/activity centre in Courtenay for adults with developmental disabilities.
The target is $800,000.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Dr. Paul Helpard and his wife Christine will host an appreciation dinner at their Comox home for donors who have pledged at least $3,000 towards the campaign.
The dinner follows an afternoon visit from Olympian Alex Bilodeau and his brother Frédéric, who will attend the dinner.
Attendees will have their photo taken with the brothers and two RCMP members in Red Serge. After dinner, Alex will speak about his unique relationship with Frédéric, who has cerebral palsy, and the impact it has had on his Olympic career.
“Their story is representative of how L’Arche and the I Belong Campaign think that the differently abled are such valuable and important members of our community,” said Paul, whose son Benjamin is developmentally delayed.
“The new L’Arche facility will be both a residence and community centre for all of the Valley’s differently abled.”
Helena Jung will play cello before dinner. Kathy Jerritt of Tria Catering has prepared the menu.
There is still room to accommodate several more couples at the event. RSVP at 250-334-8320 by Sept. 24 if you wish to donate.
The minimum $3,000 donation can be paid in annual installments, spread over the next three years.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com