There was a little bit of old Bowen on display at Bowen’s Fourth International Wine Festival – and a little bit of new Bowen. Like old Bowen on a cold and windy November night, the whole island suddenly lost power. In mid sip we were plunged into darkness.
But the new Bowen and its helpful technology quickly saved the day. Dozens of participants reached for their smart phones, with their even smarter flashlight apps, restoring light to the event, and allowing the party to proceed – a cozy evening of fine food and fine wine at Evergreen Hall became all the more memorable.
The event, sponsored by the Bowen Island Community Foundation this year, marked the beginning of the Foundation’s annual, “For Bowen, For Ever” Giving Campaign. Tickets sold out quickly, and many islanders volunteered their time and talents for the event: our local wine impressario, Paul Rickett, the talented chef Matt Matheson, Evergreen’s Maureen Armstrong with her daughter Dana, the volunteers who stepped in to shuttle folks from their cars to the venue, wine agents from those many cities across the water, and members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors last year, the Foundation was able to contribute to a range of good causes in 2017: scholarships for Bowen’s graduating students, the building of a community park for young children on the west side of the island, the beginning of a bike park by the Community School, and a high quality projector for the Bowen Island Community School.
The Foundation has an offer on the table for the community at the close of this year. A small group of philanthropic islanders has stepped forward to match the first $30,000 that is given by the community, something of a kick start to the traditional giving season of November and December.
What is in store for community betterment in 2018? The Foundation is working on this now and wants to do more. It’s clear that bursaries and worthy community projects will be on the table again, and quite likely, some new initiatives for the support of Bowen’s marginalized citizens, young and old. In any event, the message that the Foundation wants to make clear to the community at this time of year is that any and all donations are much appreciated. A donation of any amount will give the Foundation a first step on the road to repaying the generosity of our remarkable community. You can learn more and donate at bowenfoundation.com.
