Here鈥檚 an auto dealer鈥檚 campaign I can really get behind.

Preston GM in 91原创 put $5,000 each into the pockets of five local charities, plus a local family walked away with $25,000 just for buying a car and being creative.

In January of 2017, Preston鈥檚 launched a $50,000 giveaway (actually it was $55,000 according to my math) that divvied up $30,000 between five local car buyers and the remaining $25,000 between the local charities: Ron Dunkley Memorial Society, Douglas Park Community School Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of 91原创, Salvation Army鈥檚 Gateway of Hope, and 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Basically, the contest was open to any customer who bought a new vehicle last year and who submitted a short video showing why they loved their new car or truck.

Joshua and Kelly Mitchell of Fort 91原创 took home the top prize of $25,000 for their creative video depicting the need by their family of four to buy a new car.

鈥淥ur Chevy Volt fits our life and shows that we care about the impact we鈥檙e making,鈥� said Kelly.

鈥淪o we can set our example for our next generation of drivers,鈥� Joshua added.

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Replacing Buy-Low

Dollarama was founded in 1992 by Larry Rossy, a third-generation retailer.

Now, Dollarama operates more than 1,000 stores across Canada, including four existing ones in 91原创 (91原创 City, Aldergrove, Murrayville, and Willowbrook), plus another preparing to open soon in Walnut Grove.

All stores are corporately owned and operated, and a decision was made recently to take over the space previously occupied by IGA Marketplace and more recently Buy-Low Foods.

Honestly, if feels like it was just a short time ago that I was telling you about the arrival of Jimmy Pattison鈥檚 Buy-Low into the space at 88th Avenue and Walnut Grove Drive.

Now, there鈥檚 only one of those stores in Brookswood.

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Infusion of cash for food

Speaking of food, Coast Capital Savings, which has a two branches in 91原创 (Willowbrook and Brookswood) has given an infusion of cash to the local food bank.

The Sources 91原创 Food Bank received what Coast Capital鈥檚 Maureen Young described as a 鈥渕uch needed boost,鈥� when they presented the agency with $8,000 of a $75,000 donation made by the credit union to food banks around the province.

鈥淐ommunity leadership is a pillar of Coast Capital鈥檚 corporate strategy,鈥� Young said.

鈥淗elping is part of our DNA,鈥� she added, anxious to ensure that local families are not worrying about where their next meal is coming from.

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The Italian coming soon

Speaking of happenings on the business front in Walnut Grove, I told you before Christmas that the Oak & Thorne Public House had moved across the street to the old Shark Club (in with the Sandman Hotel).

Well, I鈥檓 told these new, larger digs host a 300-inch TV screen and a variety of interactive games (I like it) such as ping pong, shuffle board, bocce ball, skeeball, and various arcade games. Interesting.

Between that and the live entertainment they鈥檙e promising, it might be worth checking it out. I already know the food is good.

But what I wanted to let you know is that the former Oak & Thorne location is being replaced by another Joseph Richard Group company.

It will soon be home to The Italian Osteria & Cheesebar.

This new restaurant is set to open in the next few weeks. Stay tuned鈥�

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Labour shortage evident

The shortage of people wanting to work in almost any profession is apparent by all the 鈥渉elp wanted鈥� signs we see around town.

It鈥檚 often more than just a sign posted in the window of a store or shop, it鈥檚 pleas that have been plastered on the sides of work vehicles, it鈥檚 the increase in classified ads in our paper, and it鈥檚 all the postings that come up online.

The need was made apparent again today, when a press release crossed my desk saying one of our local retailers is looking to hire 116 staff.

I鈥檓 talking Home Depot, and likely some of these people will only be hired for the busy spring season, but that鈥檚 still a lot of local jobs. They鈥檙e job fair is happening Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 7 to 11 p.m. and again on Feb. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Have you had a hard time finding staff to help operate your business? I鈥檇 like to hear from you, and learn more about your struggle and what you鈥檝e tried (especially if you have innovative ideas) to solicit more staff.

Email me at rhooper@langleyadvance.com.