I am not sure if you have been following our Facebook page called Good Deeds of Hope.
Deb Smith’s son Craig was helping with the trail clean up last summer when someone mentioned to him that there was a college in Sooke to train people for Search and Rescue. Craig’s dream was to be employed in the capacity to help others in the great outdoors. As time was limited, the College accepted him on the provision that he had applied for a student loan.
Craig entered the college and had exceptional grades and participated in all the outdoor activities and weekend trips. His mother, tried to help him out financially as well as she could. This last December, Craig found out that his loan was not approved and that he now owed for his college tuition in addition to rent. His mother tried to sell her home to bring in the funds needed to keep him in college.
Craig was going hungry, in need of tuition fees and rent money to keep him in school. He thought that he had failed and needed to come home. His mom urged him to stay while she tried to work things out. He could not find employment because they were so often out in the wilderness and weekends were spent learning in the university of the great outdoors.
Hope Performing Arts Community Theatre (HPACT) learned of Craig’s plight and offered to help in the form of a fundraiser. They have planned a pub night on Feb. 13 with the local pub. The Gold Rush has offered to pay for the meal, the theatre group providing the entertainment and local businesses and individuals providing silent auction items. The community has banded together to educate one of their own. The theme of the pub night is “Rescue me, so one day I can Search and Rescue you.”
A family in Hope, the Broswick family, has donated $1, 000 directly to Craig to put a roof over his head and food in his tummy.
Craig is overwhelmed by the support. He said, “I didn’t think anyone in Hope even knew me! I can’t believe that they care about me!” Deemed the “gentle giant,” HPACT has heard community members say what a nice boy he is, so quiet, so helpful.
All we want to do is help one of our youth stay in school. He shouldn’t have to be dependent on the governments’ whim of who qualifies for education.
If you are in a position to help or would like to purchase tickets for yourself or to give to someone who can’t afford to attend please contact hopepact@gmail.com or Deb, Stephanie or Sarah on Facebook.
Let’s pay it forward and have a little faith in the youth of our town. Hope is such an amazing place to live!
Cheryl Lynne Lacey,
HPACT director