Cartwright Jewellers is carrying on its longstanding tradition of helping out the CKNW Orphans Fund at Christmas.
The longtime New Westminster business has been involved with the CKNW Orphans Fund for the past 16 years and has raised thousands of dollars to help special needs kids in B.C. This year, Cartwright Jewellers sold six different glass ornaments that light up with an LED light for $10 each, with all proceeds going to the CKNW Orphans Fund.
Two weeks before Christmas, Cartwright Jeweller’s had already sold its stock of 1,000 glass ornaments, raising another $10,000 for the Orphans Fund.
“We are at over $130,000 now,” said Susan Cartwright-Coates, of her business’s contribution to the charity. “It’s great. It’s wonderful to see people wanting to donate to the Orphans Fund.”
In past years, the business sold canned critters (little stuffed animals), until it ran out of cute critters to sell. It then sold kits that allowed people to build a teddy bear.
“Last year I found these Christmas tree ornaments. They were so successful last year that I did another full series. We never repeat,” Cartwright-Coates said. “I’m hoping I can find somewhat similar ones for next year. The ornament has a much broader appeal.”
In addition to getting a lovely Christmas ornament, people who purchased glass ornaments got their name entered into a draw to win a 14-karat white gold, three-stone diamond pendant valued at $1,500. The draw is on Dec. 30.
Cartwright, a former director with the CKNW Orphans’ Funds, continues to sit on its grants committee and help distribute larger grants. She was recently named New Westminster’s Business Person of the Year at the Platinum Awards.
Steel & Oak helps out Monarch Place
Steel & Oak Brewing Co. is donating $1 from every growler fill of Royal City Ale to help women and children in need.
The local brewery is partnering with Monarch Place transition house, which assists women and children who are fleeing domestic violence.
“At Steel & Oak we recognize the importance of safe environments and alternatives for women and children in need in our community,” said Jorden Foss, co-owner of Steel & Oak, “which is why we have decided to donate $1 from every growler fill of Royal City Ale to Monarch Place throughout the month of December.”
New West shoppers can win by shopping local
Shop for Swag is back and giving shoppers a chance to win one of eight prize packages valued between $400 and $2,500.
More than 40 downtown merchants are participating in the Shop for Swag event, which gives people a chance to win prize packages by making a purchase at participating businesses and dropping their receipts into the ballot box in Hyack Square.
The campaign, organized by the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association, started on Saturday, Dec. 5. The contest closes on Sunday, Dec. 20.
The winners will be notified the week of Dec. 21 – just in time for the holidays. You can find all the details at www.downtownnewwest.ca.
Dye & Durham helps Syrian refugees
Employees of a New Westminster business stepped up to the challenge of providing for Syrian refugees.
With Syrian refugees set to arrive in the coming weeks, employees at Dye & Durham’s New Westminster head office and its Vancouver office were asked to bring in household items, bedding, clothing, children’s toys and toiletries. Although they had less than 48 hours to collect the items, they didn’t disappoint.
In just two, short, working days, Dye & Durham employees collected more 20 full-sized garbage bags filled with new and gently used household items and warm winter clothing, which was donated to the Middle Eastern Friendship Centre in Surrey on Nov. 27. Seventeen of those bags were collected at the company’s head office in New West.
An employee of the Vancouver office brought forward the idea, which company owner and president Constance Fenyo was happy to support.
“We support the incoming Canadians, the Syrian refugees because it’s the right thing to do. Our company and our employees care; we believe in helping those in need, not just at Christmas but throughout the year,” Fenyo said.
“Business is more than a financial transaction, and that’s why we allow one paid day off per year to each employee to volunteer for a cause near to their heart. The recent donation to the Middle Eastern Friendship Centre was simply keeping with our philosophy.”
Employees of Dye & Durham are also collecting necessities for Monarch Place in New Westminster and providing financial contributions to local women’s and children’s shelters for the holidays.
Dye & Durham is a Canadian-owned company that has been serving the legal industry for more than 140 years.
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