Dear Editor,

Our donors make post-secondary dreams a reality



This year another group of high school graduates are making their way into the world and of those students some will be pursuing post-secondary education in the Fall. For many, a scholarship, award, or bursary that came through the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation (NLSF) is the reason they can make that step towards pursuing their dreams.

Thanks to the generosity and vision of all our donors (individuals, businesses and service clubs), NLSF is helping 360 students in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, and Gabriola Island area pursue their post-secondary dreams. Hats off to our volunteers on the Awards Selection Committee who spent many days pouring over the applications from every high school to decide on 489 community-based scholarships, awards and bursaries totalling $372,125.

In 2008, our foundation inherited the worthwhile work of the Nanaimo Schools Financial Awards Society and we continue the important 30-year legacy of raising money for scholarships and bursaries and helping graduating students in our District pursue their dreams.

The funds for all of the awards, bursaries and scholarships are completely supported by the service clubs, community organisations, and private donors within our community. Without these donors and the opportunities they provide, many of our graduating students would not be able to continue on with their post-secondary education.

Our award program has grown over the years and the foundation is able to support more students than ever before, but the reality in our community is that more bursaries are urgently needed. The rising cost of post-secondary education and the increase in poverty in our community means many young people can’t afford to get further education without help. Many deserving applicants didn’t get a bursary this year.

Please consider making a difference by sponsoring an award, bursary or scholarship for local students for next year.

To learn more about the Schools Foundation watch our video at www.nlsf.ca.

To make a donation, please go online or phone the NSLF office at 250-753-4074.



Thank you.