April delivered on promises of more than May flowers when two different dances encouraged a stronger sense of community, while furthering Kimberley Refugee Resettlement Group’s (KRRG) efforts to be welcoming to refugee families.

Together, their contributions come to the tune of almost $3,000.

First, on April 21, Selkirk Secondary School’s Student Council chose to extend its reach beyond school walls while making sure students enjoyed the ‘80s’ theme at Selkirk’s annual Spring Dance.

Norwegian student and council member Nora Selnæs, hosted this year by the Guimont family, had led the way. She’d attended a KRRG evening meeting and her enthusiasm for its work resulted in a presentation to the Student Council by KRRG volunteer Dave Hale. Council subsequently voted unanimously to support KRRG financially and the result was the opportunity to share $400 of its proceeds from Spring Dance ticket sales.

Then, closing out April on the 30th, while emphatically welcoming May, Kimberley’s own Hollers blues band benefitted KRRG at Centennial Hall, significantly amplifying the “fun” in fundraiser. The band members are Emilio Regina (lead vocals, harmonica, trombone, percussion), Craig Hillman (bass guitar, vocals), Ed Johnson (drums, vocals), Matt Ney (keyboards, vocals), Robin Douglas (guitar, congas) and Mike Dodd (guitar, vocals).

The exuberant crowd expressed its added delight when the band introduced their “Holler-Ettes” – back-up singers Christine Besold, Betty Dodd, Linda Douglas, and Heather Ney. Between sets, “Your Tall Poet” Ken Jonsson read his poem, Embrace for Humanity, a vivid reminder of why KRRG supporters are intent on welcoming refugee families to our community.

Lisa Stemo, who coordinated the evening’s silent auction with the help of Jill Sayegh, reported KRRG was able to generate $850 due to the generosity of Last Paradise Ranch, Kimberley North Star Quilters, North Star Vet Clinic, Handz On Evolution, Roots to Health Naturopathic Clinic, The Old Bauernhaus Restaurant, Friends of the Library, Western Financial Group, RBC Royal Bank-Kimberley Branch, The Alpen Café, Grubstake Pizza, Sully’s Barber Shop, B&B Glass and a number of individuals. Cathy Jones won the 50/50 draw.

KRRG Fundraising Group’s Betty Dodd spearheaded bringing together the evening’s many elements. Among dozens of people and places to whom KRRG extends thanks are Brett Price and Amigo Printing for attractive posters and tickets, Snowdrift Café and Kootenay Mountain Works for selling tickets and others for displaying the posters, Ruth Carlson for coordinating the cooperation of Tourism Kimberley, Selkirk Secondary School’s Lisa Singbeil and its International Students, Lynne Cox and Selkirk’s Special Education Students, Overwaitea Foods, Ron and Wilma McRae, Sandra Roberts, Robyn Wardle, Nancy Sebolsky, Gayle Webb, Joanne Wilkinson, Veronica Paauw, Heather Ney and Marg and Ken Bibby.

Additional KRRG volunteers who participated include Fundraising Group leader and the evening’s emcee Lee Scott, Wilma and Charlie Harding, Linda Douglas, Laurel Ralston, Ken and Carol McRae, Melanie Holloway, Paula Gordon, Bill Russell, Graham Smith, Louise Hockley, Colin and Heather MacKenzie, Cyndy Moore, Randy McLeod, Becky Pelkonen, BA Price, and Pegg Davidson. The City of Kimberley and the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce were especially key contributors.

May 5: KRRG’s next regular full meeting is Thursday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. Everyone is welcome as always. Location: the Kimberley Aquatic Centre meeting room (open despite repairs underway to the pool itself). Expect the next KRRG evening Open House in the weeks ahead.

Month of May: KRRG donation boxes available all month long at the BC Liquor Store.

On-going: KRRG supporter, the Kootenay Savings Credit Union, accepts direct contributions plus easy monthly automatic transfers.

Ask that your refunds for bottles and cans returned to Kimberley’s Bottle Depot go to KRRG.

A wide variety of in-kind donations are needed and will be more than welcome for the foreseeable future. Visit the KRRG website for details on how, when and where to donate in-kind items, as well as cash or credit card contributions.

Visit KRRG’s website any time to find out more about events, plans, progress, volunteer opportunities, in-kind and monetary donations.

Explore KRRG’s Facebook page plus find KRRG features in the ‘Berley Times.

Want to work on or be included in a monthly newsletter? dd your name via [email protected].

Lead image:International student Nora Selnæs (centre) and Mika Weissenberger (right), president of Selkirk Secondary’s Student Council present a $400 check to Kimberley Refugee Resettlement Group (KRRG) co-chair Becky Pelkonen (left). Student Council unanimously chose KRRG to share in the proceeds from Selkirk’s Spring Dance. Photos courtesy KRRG

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