Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) began supporting the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) in 1970 and it was the first DUC project in British Columbia. Since that time, DUC has spent $2,765,530 conserving, restoring and managing nine separate projects within a 20 kilometre radius of Creston.
The Creston chapter, with support from residents and local businesses, has done its share of fundraising to contribute $496,772 over the past 26 years.
The whole process of getting ready for the fundraising dinner begins in July when the merchandise catalogues arrive from DUC head office. The committee selects the prints and DUC logo items they think would appeal to you. These items are ordered and then the members canvass the businesses in Creston, Porthill, Bonners Ferry, Sirdar, Grey Creek and Crawford Bay to see if they would like to sponsor an item from the catalogue or donate an item from their own stock. The valley people are very generous and the selection of Silent and Live auction items must be seen to be believed.
For an example, Barrie Brown, known locally for his whimsical birdhouses, has donated a barn board garden bench. Wouldn’t you like that in your back garden? To view some of the items that will be featured at the dinner, take a walk past Mawson’s Sports and look at the window display.
One new idea this year is called “high flyer”. Thirteen of the highest bidders (on selected items) enter the final round. One person, by a process of elimination, gets to choose their dream vacation.
Gertie Brown and her committee are hoping that you have saved Oct. 15 on your calendar to come and celebrate a fun-filled evening in the Creston room at the community complex. It’s our chance to give back to the wetlands.
Tickets are selling quickly but are still available from any Creston Ducks Unlimited member and from Mawson’s Sports.
— DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA (CRESTON)