Members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasons Canada have donated $1,000 to the Brayden Arsenault Memorial Bursary. School District 70 trustee Chris Washington accepted the donation on behalf of the district.
The Freemasons submitted a proposal to their national arm requesting one of several donations available for charitable organizations. “Because of the importance of this locally, I was able to write a proposal,” said spokesperson Craig Wolverton. Mason Lodge Barkley Lodge No. 90 has previously supported Faydra Arsenault’s fundraising efforts.
There are two bursaries available to ADSS graduates and they were set up by the Arsenault family to honour their son and brother who died two and a half years ago. “We have already been able to help five people out,” said Brayden’s mother Faydra.
The freemasons’ donation will pay for one complete bursary, she added.
This is the third year the bursaries will be presented to Grade 12 students entering post-secondary education in the human services or social work fields within eight months of graduation.
Faydra Aresenault is busy working on another fundraiser for the two bursaries. She has planned a Valentine’s Day Dance for Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Alberni Athletic Hall. Cruze Control, Malloomba Boogie and Big Daddy will all perform. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the dance starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the dance are $20 and available at Alberni Storage, Noteable Music, M&D Auto, Westwind Beer & Wine Store and Wild Onyx Nails.
This is a 19-plus event: no minors permitted.