Dear editor,The Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association would like to express their utmost appreciation and gratitude to the citizens of the Comox Valley and surrounding areas.When we decided to be the host club for the British Columbia Wildlife Federation AGM and Convention in Courtenay in celebration of our 75th year, we chose to give up our fundraiser and went to work on BCWF鈥檚 behalf. Trying to organize events that an outside agency holds the administrative and financial purse strings for proved a daunting task.First, our merchants who are inundated constantly with requests for donations came through with amazing generosity in support of the fundraiser. Secondly, our caterers were put in a tight spot when significantly more people attended the fundraiser at the Sports Centre and the awards banquet at the Native Sons Hall.Neither the caterers nor Courtenay and District Fish and Game were aware of the extra ticket sales until 鈥済ame time,鈥� but needless to say, Steve Swing and staff from Plates Eatery and Catering and Kathy Jerritt of Tria Fine Catering (formerly Country Catering), responded with true professionalism and came through with flying colors. We appreciated their fine efforts.Thirdly, the citizens of the Comox Valley who attended the fundraiser and supported the cause for conservation were the best!BCWF staff and delegates left the Comox Valley with great comments about the terrific support we receive, the generosity of the people, the enthusiasm of our volunteers and the beauty of our community. Several businesses supplied donations and assisted with activities for the youth delegates, spouses, the BCWF staff and delegates of the 56th convention.Last but not least, are the Courtenay and District Fish & Game members who volunteered so much of their time and energy. June is always a busy month for our members as we require their services for several public events and we really appreciated them adding the AGM to the workload.We were proud to be able to host this event and will consider it a life lesson. We will return to our own annual wild game banquet fundraiser next year and hope our staunch supporters will be by our side.Gail EggimanEditor's note: Gail Eggiman is the secretary/public relations co-ordinator for the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association.
