Editor's note about Giving on Bowen:
I love this Undercurrent special.
Bowen has vibrant community organizations and so many volunteers so writing and reading about them is a delight.
Though some may say volunteering on Bowen is not “like it used to be,” that’s ok. The island will never be like it used to be but we continue to choose the kind of community we want to live in and the services we want to see.
From the volunteer firefighters to the sports organizers, Bowen relies on islanders’ gift of time. For example, this year Sam Nosek (not single handedly but ably) created the Veteran’s Park Disc Golf Course. There’s Sheana Stevenson who, with her team of volunteers, pulled off yet another successful Bowfest. There’s Graham Ritchie of the Snug Cove House Society and a dedicated board who have been plugging away at building supportive housing for seniors for the past 20 years. There’s this year’s citizen of the year, Peter King, who, though technically paid, created and kept alive the Express Bus until the Bowen Transportation Society relieved some of his burden earlier this year.
These are just the names that jumped into my deadline-addled brain, hundreds more people deserve mentions.
Thank you all. What a fortunate community this is.
Bowen stories of giving:
Giving elvin magic: Basia Lieske is Light Up Bowen's special elf
Giving trails: Bowen Island Trail Society contributes to maintaining and improving local trails
Giving greens: Bowen Island Golf Course continues to be a local gem
Giving expertise: did you know that more than 120 volunteers sit on BIM committees?
Giving history: a new arbour and outdoor gallery for Bowen Island Museum and Archives
Giving to support the foundation of the 'Bowen Way': B.I. Community Foundation
Giving hope: nurturing hope in kids in the face of the environmental crisis
Thank you to all our contributors and to all the givers on this island. You rock!