July 1, 2008

CANADA DAY IN CAMPBELL RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Our home for the night before Canada Day was the parking lot of the Pioneer Home Hardware Building Centre in Campbell River.

We woke up to the sound of caution tape rustling in the wind and the clang of tent poles being set up for our event.

It was a hot, sunny day. The tent was a perfect addition.

A surprise Canada Day guest at the event was Stasha Jinicki of Campbell River who came to Canada from Poland as a new Canadian in 1949 to live with Lamont's family.

Special Olympics Campbell River joined us with hot dog and pop sales to help raise money for their charity. JL from Special Olympics works at the Home Hardware store. Chelsea from Special Olympics helped pass the drinks and snacks that we made in the Oster Blender and the DeLonghi Countertop Oven which were raffled off with the proceeds going to the chosen charity just as we have done at all our other Home Hardware store events.

Gary Thulin and his daugher, Allison showed us their new store that is under construction. It is over 50,000 square feet and scheduled to open in the fall. The Thulin Family business is celebrating their 71st year. Allison told us that our event was one of the easiest events she has done. Her enthusiasm about Home Hardware and our visit to the store was wonderful.

After the event, Gary and Allison suggested we take the motorhomes down to the Campbell River Canada Day parade route and join in. We mentioned Gary's name to the Parade Marshall and before we knew it, we were in the parade. What a perfect thing to do. The exposure for Home Hardware was huge! Phyllis drove and honked the big motorhome horn while Lamont hung out the side window yelling "Happy Canada Day" to the thousands of onlookers who lined the parade route.