It’s too late to grow a mullet but you can still bust out your best flannel shirt Thursday in support of Braemar Elementary students.
Channel Your Flannel is the theme of a Braemar fundraiser with a decidedly Canadiana flavour at The Pipe Shop Venue at The Shipyards. Guests are encouraged to dress casually, instead of going all out on gala attire. Organizers would rather see that money go towards school enhancements at Braemar.
“They literally show up in jeans, boots and a toque and some flannel – and they are going to be drinking beer out of those red cups,” says gala organizer Ria Terins.
Terins and her crew of volunteers have been working hard to transform the inside of The Pipe Shop into a Canadiana-themed winter wonderland, complete with beer pong, poutine, throw the ring on the antler – and a Justin Bieber cutout.
It’s been four years since Braemar’s parent advisory council hosted a large-scale fundraiser – and now the time has come, says Terins, to top up its savings fund. The previous fundraiser was technology focused and afforded the purchase of some new iPad-like devices and overhead projectors in the classrooms.
Now Braemar needs a library makeover and a handicap-accessible playground at the Upper Lonsdale elementary school. Monies raised Thursday will also go towards Braemar PAC’s tradition of giving the school’s teachers an annual $150-$200 stipend to spend on classroom supplies.
While Braemar’s library bones are “beautiful” and there are nice windows, functionally it’s a bit behind the times, says Terins. The project envisions transforming the library into a flexible space with functional furniture including adjustable tables and chairs, making the room a more learning-conducive environment for both students and teachers.
Outside the school, meanwhile, is an opportunity for inclusiveness on the playground. Currently, there is a ramp for students in wheelchairs to get onto the Braemar playground area but it stops short of reaching the fun.
“That’s hard to see, especially when you have kids who are really young who can’t play,” says Terins.
The ball is now rolling on the long-term playground project, which will cost between $50,000 to $80,000, and the PAC is looking at fundraising options, including applying for a Rick Hansen Foundation grant.
If a group swing set, also called a glider, is added to the playground, children of all abilities can go for a ride on it. A ramp leads to the glider, which has room for two wheelchairs, plus two large benches for other passengers.
After almost a year of planning, Terins is looking forward to raising funds Thursday evening for Braemar and celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday in the process. A coveted item from the “epic” silent auction, she says, is a game-used hockey stick signed by the Sedin twins and front- row club seats for a Canucks versus Blues game.
Canadian hip-hop artist DJ Kyprios will provide the tunes for the event, while North Vancouver’s Larry Hennessey from Larry and Willy radio fame will make an appearance. At the end of the evening, the Braemar PAC is hoping to raise between $30,000 and $40,000 for the school.
“Anything above that and I’ll be doing a dance,” says Terins, with a laugh.
For tickets go to eventbrite.ca and search for Braemar.
