NEWS RELEASE
BEAVER VALLEY OUTREACH
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Beaver Valley Outreach (BVO) is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023.
To mark the occasion, the organization is inviting residents and partners in and around The Blue Mountains to join them by taking part in exciting community events and engagement initiatives and discovering the organization’s rich history. BVO will also be asking people to provide their input to better understand the current and future needs of our community.
On Jan. 19, 2023 at 12 p.m., BVO will be kicking off celebrations on its premises at 54 King St. E., Thornbury, with a flag-raising ceremony and speeches from BVO representatives and local dignitaries. (Weather permitting.)
BVO began in 1983 when a small group of community-minded women distributed warm clothing and hampers to people in need, out of the basement of a home owned by Clarksburg resident Muriel Shaw. Over the years, the grassroots, charity organization has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, more than 150 volunteers, staff and a hands-on board of directors deliver a diverse range of vital programs and services to enhance the lives of families, children, youth and seniors in the community.
Programs and services include BVO’s Treasure Shop (thrift store); school breakfast club; preschool, summer day camp, after-school, and recreational funding for children; Seniors Centre Without Walls and other seniors’ support services; youth engagement; emergency services; community gardens; the Good Food Box; information and referral; and Bottles for BVO.
BVO is truly a recycling champion in the Town of The Blue Mountains. Its Treasure Shop sells quality recycled goods at very reasonable prices and, with the population of the town continuing to grow every year, the organization takes numerous steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle. These efforts were acknowledged by the Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce with the Sustainable Innovation award in 2019. In 2021, BVO diverted more than 257,000 pounds of material and goods from our local landfill.
Touching the lives of many people, BVO can truly be described as the heart of The Blue Mountains community. Counting volunteers, program participants, donors and partners, it is estimated that two out of every three town residents have some connection to the organization.
“BVO could not do its work without the generous support of our caring community,” says board chair Cathy Innes. “While we celebrate this milestone in our existence, we continue to look ahead for ways to keep making good things happen in our community.”
BVO invites the community to help them celebrate by checking in regularly at www.bvo.ca, following them on Facebook and Instagram, and watching for announcements in the local media. For more information, please visit BVO’s website or call 519-599-2577.
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