Rona Powell River Building Supply has been providing home hardware, building and garden supplies to Powell River residents since 2003 but one of the biggest contributions is to the community as a whole. “It’s a real major driver for us to be able to be involved in everything we can and donate everything we can,” says Hull.
Hull has been on the board of the United Way for many years and Rona supports many of its programs. The United Way office is also in the same building as Rona, which makes working with the organization that much easier and more natural. “We donate well over $10,000 to the United Way each year” Hull explains.
Two of the programs Rona is especially involved with is the United Way’s Success by 6 program and the Orca Bus. Success by 6 was launched in Powell River in 2004 and is a partnership between varying levels of government that sets out to engage families and communities through its various literacy, nutrition, childcare, parenting and family skills programs. The goal is for children age 0-6 to be safe, secure, socially engaged and responsible and successful learners.
The Orca Bus is a community program which delivers free early-childhood programs to all areas of the community. Launched in Powell River in February 2009, it has programmed stops in locations from Saltery Bay to Lund to Texada Island. One of the programs offered is the province of BC’s StrongStart program, which includes high-quality learning for children to prepare them for success in kindergarten. The program activities include story-time, singing and reading and take place both on-board the bus and off-board.
In addition to supporting the community with financial donations, Rona Powell River also provides staff members with opportunities to volunteer and “really be active in the community.”
For more information, visit www.rona.ca
