Two years ago, the Salviulo family of Riondel undertook to establish a scholarship fund. The scholarship is for any male or female of the east or west Kootenay enrolled in the College of the Rockies fire certificate training course.
Their son, Brandon, was a volunteer with the Riondel Fire Department. His aspiration to be a firefighter was terminated when he was killed in an ATV rollover while working on a fundraiser for his fire department.
Brandon’s parents knew the expense involved for any person attending the fire certificate course. If their son could not participate, they wanted in their modest way to assist the participation of someone else’s child. They established an in-perpetuity fund providing an annual scholarship of $1,000.
In the fall of 2011, the Salviulo family raised $11,000 from organized events for the Brandon Salviulo Memorial Scholarship. Imagine, if you will, the sheer hard work done by a small family to organize friends, relatives, a community and willing businesses and staff for a weekend of fun activities — bingo, a silent auction, mixed slow pitch, 18-hole scramble golf tournament, a four-on-four shinny hockey tournament and a children’s playground.
In December, the Nelson and District Credit Union came forward with a further contribution of $15,000 for the scholarship. The Creston-Kootenay Foundation, which administers the fund, appreciates the NDCU’s generous donation and support in our community and throughout the Kootenays.
— BY LARRY BRIERLEY