Sports Fundraising Ideas

BY DANIELLE BELL, THE DAILY NEWSNOVEMBER 23, 2009

Twilight actor Cameron Bright was in his hometown of Nanaimo on Thursday to sign autographs and help launch a youth sports fundraiser.

Bright joined city and sports officials at Island Kia to help announce the fundraising initiative that supports the non-profit sports groups Nanaimo Youth Soccer Club and the Mid Vancouver Island Tenpin Association.

The 16-year-old is a familiar face to both organizations, having played youth soccer and enjoyed outings at Splitsville Entertainment.

Organizers said the fundraiser is needed more than ever since government funding was slashed. NYSC also runs a team for autistic children as well as after-school programs.

“We have two youth sports groups in need of funding,” said organizer Mike Best on Thursday. “(The fundraiser) would go a long way to replacing some of the money.”

Several Twilight followers were also at Island Kia to catch a glimpse of Bright before he trekked to nearby Future Shop to sign autographs for hundreds of fans.

NYSC and MVITA have paired up to host a tenpin bowling extravaganza in January that will feature a celebrities doubles tournament and more than $25,000 in prizes, including a 2009 Kia Rio.

Bright bowled in the tournament last year and hopes to make an appearance in January, schedule permitting.

The third installment of the Twilight series, Eclipse, recently wrapped filming in Vancouver and Bright is in the midst of a globetrotting tour promoting New Moon.

All proceeds of the Jan. 31 event will go to the two non-profit sports groups. Event tickets for $5 can be purchased at Island Kia on Bowen Road, the NYSC soccer office in Beban Park, Splitsville on Calder Road or at the Duncan Lanes on James Street in Duncan. Tickets can also be purchased from NYSC soccer players.

For information, visit www.NanaimoSoccer.ca.

DBell@nanaimodailynews.com

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