‘Overwhelming’ support for Schubert Centre

The community is rallying behind the cash-strapped Schubert Centre in Vernon.

The facility on 30th Avenue that offers seniors activities and community meeting space, had a deficit last year of $290,000 and also needs a new $180,000 furnace.

Manager Shirley Higgins said the response to a fundraising event tonight has been “overwhelmingly positive” with all 200 tickets sold and silent auction items still coming in.

“We had printed 150 tickets, and then with the response, we printed another 50, so it was even better than expected,” Higgins told Vernon Matters.

The $125 ticket price includes a $75 donation to the centre.

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She says the funds will go directly into the new furnace, with more fundraisers to come.

“People are stepping up left, right and centre. We have seniors that are very sad and losing sleep. We are reassuring them we are doing everything we can to keep the doors open. They’re telling all their friends and everyone is coming in and buying memberships,” Higgins told Vernon Matters.

Higgins said general donations have been “amazing,” and a membership drive will be the next big push.

“We’ll have a membership open house here and let people see our facility. Anybody can be a member, there is no age limit, and memberships are $50 a person.”

Higgins says they have been averaging around 800 members.

The centre’s non-profit society will have more to say about how the deficit occurred next week.

“You can expect another news release probably at the end of next week because we want to get through some positive news with the fundraiser and then we want to answer some more questions,” Higgins said.

Higgins has lived in the Vernon area about 10 years and was retired before taking on the manager’s position after the passing of former 25-year-manager Jack Gareb in October.

“My background is all in management. I’m a consultant for training and event management,” Higgins added.