Longtime Chemainiac Laurie Douglas has always had a passion for her community and helping her neighbours.
And now that generous streak has spread to include a number of her friends.
“I’ve always wanted to surprise someone with a huge tip at a restaurant,” explains Douglas. “Locally it was hard since a lot of places split their tips.”
That would make it a little more difficult to directly help someone who seemed to have a special need or was deserving of a boost during a difficult time. Undaunted, Douglas turned to her friend, Jacqui MacLeod, who works at the popular Bonnie Martin Restaurant in Chemainus and asked if she knew of anyone who could use some help.
“She said she did and so I enlisted my group of women and we descended on the restaurant to surprise a dishwasher with over $2,000.”
Inspired by the first success, Douglas and her friends wanted to do more.
“So Chemainus Kindness Club was born,” Douglas says.
Douglas says she bounced some ideas off a few friends including Di Hinton and Wendy Lambert. There are variations of the Kindness Club theme, including organizations in Crofton and Duncan, but Douglas says she was looking to create something a little different.
“I didn’t want it to be a competition per se,” Douglas says, noting that other clubs nominate potential recipients and then vote on who they feel is most needy.
“We all know situations or people having a hard time, that perhaps would never say or ask for anything,” adds Douglas.
The first cash giveaway in August, to a single mother with no supports other than her modest employment earnings, is just the beginning.
“Twice a year, we’ll donate cash, the minimum donation is $50 per member but if a story resonates with someone and they wish to give more, they can do that.”
Douglas will contact the recipient, explain the details and make arrangements to turn over the donation.
When the club isn’t raising cash, it will participate in a drive for socks or toys or gift cards to be distributed to local organizations that serve Chemainus.
Many of the members prefer to remain anonymous, Douglas says.
“And we’re looking for new members.”
If you would like to be involved in the Chemainus Kindness Club, please reach out to lauriedouglas67@shaw.ca for more details.