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Sea of Love at SODC

Fundraiser to support not-for-profit aquarium in Sidney
8706sidneyPNRSeaofLoveSODCPFeb1313
Nicole Wilford and Cheryl Young

A gala event being held this month in Sidney will raise funds for the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre (SODC).

Tiger Lily Events and Sidney Meet Up have teamed up to host the Sea of Love fundraiser evening on Thursday, Feb. 28 with all the proceeds from the event going to support the not-for-profit SODC and the programs it offers to children and youth.

“We really aim to support local groups and organizations,” said Sidney Meet Up member Cheryl Young.

“We also want to help bring people out to Sidney and showcase what our town has to offer, including great attractions like the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre.”

Young noted that many people don’t realize that the SODC operates as a not-for-profit organization.

“Some people have a misconception that because they have the Shaw name attached to them, that the centre gets funding from them on an ongoing basis, but they don’t,” Young said.

SODC Innovations Advancement specialist Christina Smethurst said Shaw was instrumental in getting the Centre started but, while the company still helps with some promotion, the Centre doesn’t get any ongoing financial contributions.

“They were very generous in their funding for the establishment of the centre but our day to day costs are covered by admission fees and donations,” explained Smethurst.

The event, which is being held inside the SODC, will feature a silent and live auction with pieces from local artists like Craig Benson, Taryn Brown, Chris Paul and Wendy Picken. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the auction are going to the SODC.

There will also be appetizers, wine tasting by Muse Winery and beer tasting by Vancouver Island Brewery and speeches by Green Party MLA candidate Adam Olsen, SODC Executive Director Angus Matthews and TIDES Group founder, Steve Duck.

“It will be a fun night all about supporting one of our local organizations,” said Young.

Tickets for the event are $30 and are available by calling 250-516-7653 or visiting www.sidneymeetup.com.