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Seven-year campaign to 'serve communities responsibly' has raised $1.67 million
Vancouver (2 May 2007) - Liquor store workers across British Columbia are thanking customers for making donations totalling $487,307 to the Dry Grad Ceremonies across the province.
The employees, represented by the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE), carried out the campaign as a public service in co-operation with 54 school districts across the province.
Although the campaign was two weeks shorter than last year, the final donation total was up by 20%. Customers were encouraged to donate one dollar towards alcohol-free graduation celebrations in their communities.
Participating school districts will receive 100% of the money donated at stores in their area.
The Vancouver school district led the province with a $43,143 in donations from 21 stores.
The Penticton Plaza store raised $10,588 and came in first among individual stores. The Westwood Centre store in Port Coquitlam came a close second raising $10,481.
When the number of customers passing through a store is taken into consideration, the B.C. Liquor store in Port McNeill placed first, raising $4,167.
"BCGEU members at public B.C. Liquor stores are committed to serving their communities responsibly," says BCGEU president George Heyman. "They are a crucial part of the Dry Grad campaign each spring. Just as importantly, they work year round to prevent underage drinking by checking ID of younger customers and preventing customers from buying alcohol for minors."
B.C. liquor store employees have been working with the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) since 2001 on the annual Dry Grad campaigns. Donations this year bring the total raised to $1.67 million over seven years.