Who is Tin Lizzy? Tin Lizzy welcomes you at the door of Nu-To-Yu. She was created by an island artist, Steeve Larouche, in 2004 from resources sourced directly from the Store and she LOVES having her picture taken.
Dear Liz: Why do you need a new store?
T.L.: The Old School House (charming, isn’t it?) has served us well in the past but is inadequate for an enterprise that has expanded ten-fold since its inception. We need more storage space, more sorting space and more display space.
Dear Liz: Why can’t you just fix up the old store?
T.L. Well, for starters we don’t own the Old School House (built in 1907). It is part of the Auchterlonie Centre (which includes the Library and Epicentre) and is administered by the Pender Island Recreation and Agricultural Hall Association. We need a larger space ALL ON ONE LEVEL with greatly improved accessibility and efficiency for both our customers and our volunteers.
Dear Liz: What will happen to the old store?
T.L. The Pender Islands are very short of commercial space. We know, we tried to find a suitable rental space first, but it CAN be adapted for other purposes and organizations.
Dear Liz: I am a customer. How will the new store benefit me and my family?
T.L. Where to start! You will have more selection. The goods will be better displayed and be more accessible. We will be able to accommodate more and a wider range of goods. You will have changing rooms and accessible washrooms, more parking and it will be close to the Driftwood. It will be all on one level with no dank basement with low thresholds to hit your heads on, no tents and no garden sheds! I’m getting breathless!
Dear Liz: And the community?
T.L. Quite simply, we will have more and better low-cost goods. We can accept and recycle more donations. Why? With more space, we can take in a wider range of donations, repair and display more of them and restock more frequently.
And that’s just the beginning…We will be able to give more back to the community. We have awarded over $1.5 million to date!
Dear Liz: Is the Nu-to-Yu a registered charity?
T.L. No. We are a registered not-for-profit society regulated under the B.C. Societies Act and do not earn any profits for members and money is donated to the organization’s cause or goal.
Dear Liz: That doesn’t seem fair. You sound like a charity to me. So why aren’t you one?
T.L. Organizations, like Pender Island Community Service Society (Nu-To-Yu ) which exist for the purpose of raising money for other groups, even money raised to donate to charitable purposes, cannot register as a charity.
Dear Liz: How much have you raised for the new building so far? How much do you need?
T.L. Well, we have raised over $1,000,000! The Robert Freisen estate bequest of $225,000 and the donation of land at the Driftwood by Davie Rae are a big part of our success to date. We have received very generous in kind support to develop the new site. In addition, we have been setting aside funds from our the new building.
Dear Liz: How about the Tru Value Spirit Board?
T.L. Yes! That is a great way to help us. Thank you to Mike Gray and his team. If you would like to help out in this way, for the duration of our building fund campaign. please donate your 1% to:Spirit Board #33
Dear Liz: And E-transfers?
T.L. Please E-transfer your donation to: nutoyudonate@gmail.com.
Dear Liz: I can bring my skills to help with this great project. Who do I contact?
T.L. Great question. We will be depending on a wide range of expertise from contracting, skilled trades, retail, technical and computer expertise to design – everything that goes into a brand new building and business system. So please call or contact:
Manfred Burandt at (250) 222-1004 or Karen Hardie (778) 977-3033.
Sincerely, T. (Liz) Lizzy, PICSS