Sidney realtor Ann Watley knows firsthand the importance of the Sidney Lions Food Bank.
When she was a single mom raising four girls, there were times when she needed to call on the food bank to help make ends meet.
Today, fellow Pemberton Holmes realtor Maureen Vincent volunteers at the food bank, across from Tulista Park, and sees that year-round need for many families.
So when the two were looking for a reason to celebrate the first day of summer in the Sidney, and Pemberton Holmes’ second year back on Beacon Avenue, a community event in support of the food bank was a natural.
“Summer is a really hard time for the food bank to fill those shelves,” Ann recalls, commending the tight-knit Sidney community for all it does in support of its neighbours. “We all support the food bank at Christmas time, but I know that when I was raising my girls, there were times throughout the year when I needed help.
“I had the community behind me when I needed them and I always want to give back where I can,” she says. “People shouldn’t be afraid to reach out for help and shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it.”
Community in focus
That community-first approach has been key to Pemberton Holmes’ growth in the region since Joseph Pemberton first opened the doors in Victoria in 1887.
The company, which became Pemberton Holmes when Joseph’s granddaughter married Cuthbert Holmes in 1917, is one of the few local independent, family-owned companies left in the Capital Region, and people appreciate that, reflects Mike Holmes, today the proud owner and manager of the company his great-great-grandfather founded all those years ago.
“We are pleased to be back in Sidney. It’s a great community as my brother and company chairman Richard Holmes can attest to, having lived here for 30 years,” Mike says. “It was also the last home of our mother so it’s a special place for us. We look forward to growing our business and supporting and being part of this wonderful, warm and vibrant town.”
Celebrate summer
Join Ann, Maureen and the rest of the Sidney team Thursday, June 21 to celebrate the first day of summer and their second anniversary back in Sidney. The team will flash up the grill from 1 to 3 p.m., with hotdogs, hamburgers and beverages available by donation to the food bank. Please bring cash or non-perishable food donations to the courtyard at 2360 Beacon Ave.
See you there!