It was the first fundraising golf tournament since the pandemic, and it went well, drawing 130 golfers to play in near-perfect weather on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Newlands Golf and Country Club.

The bonus, this fundraiser generated about $72,000 for the food for thought, and student mental wellness programs sponsored by the foundation.

鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better day,鈥� said Alicia Rempel, the foundation executive director.

鈥淚t was smooth sailing.鈥�

Rempel explained there is increased demand for student counselling services every year, with the foundation funding 230 sessions at a cost of $33,740 last year alone.

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鈥淲e know that if a student is struggling with their mental health and they reach out for support, they need it right now,鈥� Rempel told the post-tournament dinner, which drew 156 people.

鈥淲e never want a financial barrier or a wait time to prevent them from getting help. This is why the foundation always says yes to students requesting private one-on-one counselling. As long as we have the funding, we say yes! Thanks to the golfers and sponsors, we will continue to be able to say yes.鈥�

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The event was also a send-off for foundation founder Susan Cairns, who has retired as executive director.

The dinner heard words of praise for Cairns from Alison McVeigh, chair of the foundation board, retired 91原创 school district superintendent Gord Stewart and assistant superintendent Marcello Moino.

Cairns, who took part in the golf tournament, said she has been enjoying retirement and told the dinner the foundation is in 鈥済ood hands.鈥�

Established by Cairns with an endowment in a will for $295,000, the foundation was incorporated in 2001 as a charity, and has a balance of more than $4 million which funds a variety of programs, initiatives and capital purchases. Self-sustaining, it doesn鈥檛 cost the school district anything.

More photos from the day can be viewed online at the .