Safety council in jeopardy without immediate lifeline
Kelowna & District Safety Council needs $10,000 to survive
The Kelowna & District Safety Council is shutting its doors forever at the end of the month unless it can rustle up $10,000 fast.
“It’s an urgent situation,” said council executive director John Grimes.
“We’ll be making the decision whether to close or not by the end of the month, so if anyone is inclined to support us, now is the time. Any amount is welcome from your coffee money to a big cheque.”
Since 1980, the council has offered a myriad of safety courses for people of all ages: from sidewalk and road safety for youngsters, home alone, babysitting and firstaid courses to bike riding, car driving lessons and motorcycle lessons.
In fact, it’s the motorcycle courses that bring in most of the council’s $300,000 annual revenue.
However, fewer people took the $700, five-day motorcycle course this summer because of the smoky air that lingered most of August due to forest fires.
The council’s Rutland building was also vandalized this year and money is needed to fix the damage.
“It’s resulted in severely reduced funds with which to finish the year,” said Grimes.
“We have always taken pride in the fact that while many non-profits are sustained by significant operating support from government – municipal, provincial and federal – our revenues are largely self-generated in the form of tuitions for our various safety courses.”
The council usually gets a $20,000 annual grant from the B.C. Gaming Commission to help put on its childrens’ programs.
The council has applied for that grant again. But the $10,000 that’s needed immediately to stay open is above and beyond the grant.
“In almost 39 years, we’ve served thousands and thousands of people,” said Grimes. “We can only hope some of the families we’ve helped chip in. It’s a real grassroots appeal.”
To drum up some of the $10,000 needed, the council has put up a few of its 40 motorcycles for sale.
Grimes and his assistant, the only two full-time staff, have both gone to working half-time to save money on wages. The assistant is about to quit to look for another job and won’t be replaced.
Twelve instructors continue to work, and get paid, when they give lessons and lead courses. This crisis is separate from the $300,000 Campaign for Children’s Safety the council launched in the summer.
That fundraiser is designed as a GoFundMe.com initiative for the council’s 40th anniversary in 2020.
The money is earmarked for new asphalt for the pedal-car track youngsters use to learn road and pedestrian safety, building improvements and new programs to take the council into the future.
“The world has changed,” said Grimes. “We’re looking to add antibullying and suicide prevention programs, raise awareness about distracted driving and add more (car) driving lessons to new drivers who don’t have a lot of money, recent immigrants and seniors who want to keep their skills sharp.”
Grimes hopes the council is around for its 40th birthday.
“More than ever, I am still inspired by the Kelowna & District Safety Council’s mission, and committed to a future of service to the community,” he said. “But our current financial position requires we make an urgent and immediate appeal to the community for financial support.”
Donations can be made online at KDSC.bc.ca or by mailing a cheque or dropping into the council’s headquarters at 396 Hartman Rd., Kelowna, V1X 2M9.
GoFundMe.com/children039ssafety also remains active.