Ahoy! The annual Variety Club Boat for Hope changes course but is still a success!
B.C., This Is What We Do
2021-09-14 11:22 PDT
Each year the Variety Club hosts an event meant as a way to give some young people and their families a very special experience.
This year’s drive-thru event took place in Burnaby on September 12 and was attended by nearly 400 kids and their families, who passed through. Last year’s event was held in Coquitlam, and was the first land based Boat for Hope.
The BC RCMP’s involvement in the annual Boat for Hope event has been ongoing for many years thanks to early relationship building by now Chief Superintendent Ghalib Bhayani, Assistant District Officer, Lower Mainland District.
These young people are really special, and our goal is to give them a positive experience that brightens their day and that of their families,
said C/Supt. Bhayani. It’s a long day for the volunteers, but as much as our feet hurt by the end of it, we find our faces are just as sore from all the smiling. It’s inspiring to see the resilience in these kids. We hope we make just as much of a positive impact on them as they do on us.
This year the RCMP had 9 volunteers who dressed up as pirates and made the kids feel special. The RCMP was represented by officers from the Commanding Officer’s office, the Lower Mainland District, Burnaby RCMP, Surrey RCMP, Richmond RCMP, and the Shiprider program.
It’s always a pleasure to be involved in planning our engagement in the Boat for Hope. The event went really well, the weather was perfect, and there were many volunteers out to support it. I’m particularly proud of my colleagues who are willing to give up their personal time to brighten someone else’s,
said Sergeant Veronica Fox, Acting Executive Officer to the E
Division Commanding Officer.
The event is traditionally hosted by the Vancouver Yacht Club but due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Variety Club has had to be innovative with creating land based events and adapting for social distancing and safety precautions. Numerous fundraisers showed their support for the event by setting up displays and engaging with the kids making it once again truly memorable.
When the Boat for Hope event is held at the Yacht Club kids get rides on boats. Because it has been land based the past two years, vehicles become the boats and volunteers and kids navigate through a course featuring Islands
each group puts together.
The event hopes to set sail once again next year!
Released by:
BC RCMP Communications
(778) 290-2929
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