Thursday November 24, 2022 | SOOKE, BC [Updated November 25, 2022]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The family activity night at SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke on Tuesday evening, November 22, was jam-packed with eager kids and busy families, along with sponsors decorating their Christmas trees in the lobby.
Over 200 people were bustling about between the various activities, including Santa’s gift shop (donated items for sale) in the multipurpose room, with hot chocolate and hot dogs outdoors at a canteen (by Sooke Harbourside Lions).
And of course, photos with Santa. And a gift-wrapping station. Painting of wood ornaments was on the go too.
People were also using the fitness and weight room on site, swimming in the pool, and skating in the arena.
The parking lot was full, requiring for some a second drive through to find a spot.
Donations for BC Children’s Hospital:
The tree-decorating of 19 ‘Sooke Festival of Trees’ in the lobby was in support of BC Children’s Hospital. Three more trees are in the community (one at the District of Sooke office and two at area businesses).
According to SEAPARC staff, $1,600 was raised by the Festival of Trees event, on top of $6,000 raised by tree sponsorship, for a total so far of $7,600.
The goal is $10,000, through continued donations by people voting for their favourite tree during December.
BC Children’s Hospital is seeing about 20 percent more cases at their Emergency Department (compared to last year at this time), as the respiratory season picks up steam with more cases of RSV, COVID and influenza.
Back after COVID:
After two years of COVID restrictions, it was good to see a happy bustling crowd of families out to share a good time.
There was a fabulous upbeat energy throughout the facility. People are just glad to be back doing normal things.
Organizers:
SEAPARC staff did a bang-up job of organizing the event, including Colleen Hoglund, Manager, Program Services and recreation Program Assistant Darcy Smith.
Colleen was helping out at the Santa’s Gift Shop and Darcy was working the hallways for the tree decorating and other general activities.
“A heart felt thank you to all of our tree sponsors and decorators, the superstar SEAPARC staff and volunteers, the families who attended and braved the crowds at the gift wrapping tables, our partners in Christmas Spirit the Sooke Harbourside Lions, and of course Santa and his elf!”, said Darcy Smith.
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends is an online news portal which launched mid-2020 (formerly West Shore Voice News in Langford, and before that Sooke Voice News and MapleLine Magazine in Sooke).
Island Social Trends Publisher and Editor is Mary P Brooke.
===== RELATED:
Sooke firefighters in the holiday season: Santa Run & donations (November 24, 2022)
SEAPARC family night BC Children’s Hospital fundraiser (November 9, 2022)
BC Children’s Hospital dealing with flu, COVID & RSV (November 9, 2022)
Children’s hospitals dealing with flu, COVID & RSV (November 2, 2022)