A new Aldergrove community market raised more than $2,000 for a new inclusive playground at North Otter Elementary.
Market organizer Ashley Sturtevant, CEO of Perfection Cleaning, said "thanks to the amazing support from our community, we raised $2,285 for the North Otter Elementary playground project!"
It was held on Sunday June 22, in the Home Hardware parking lot on 272 St. off Fraser Highway. Initially, organizers were planning for 20 vendors, but ended up having to find space for 24.
Rhianna May, president of the North Otter parent's advisory council (PAC), said the Otter parents were able to make some money on the side by selling peppers, donated by Blake Venechuk at Venechuk Farms, which boosted the tally by a few hundred dollars, to around $2,500.
"It's great," May told the 91原创 Advance Times. "It was more than what we expected."
May said the fundraising market cane about because the school approached the Rotary Club about raising money for the new playground, and learned there were people interested in starting a community market in Aldergrove.
"They were looking for something, and this felt right, and I think it'll turn into something really neat," May predicted.
Aldergrove's first public market is a sold out success
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North Otter Elementary has a number of students who use wheelchairs, and the planned new playground will allow students with disabilities to participate and use some of the playground equipment.
The new playground will also give more places for more kids to play. North Otter is a kindergarten to Grade 7 school, and right now there's not a lot of equipment that's geared for the older Grade 5 to 7 students.
The PAC is collecting donations through .
Sturtevant announced a second Aldergrove community market, for another good cause, is planed for Sunday, July 27.
"This time, all proceeds will go toward helping fund a much-needed new roof for the Aldergrove Veterans & Seniors Society 鈥� a truly important cause for our community" Sturtevant said.
They are currently looking for a few more food vendors, "especially those offering fresh treats and baked goods like bread" to join the market.
