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Bear Mountain residents open their doors for charity

That time of year will soon be upon us and a group of Bear Mountain residents have already got a jump on the holiday season.
9733goldstreamGNG-HolidayHomeTour
The second annual Holiday Home Tour takes place this Saturday and organizer Cindy Scott has recruited her daughter

That time of year will soon be upon us and a group of Bear Mountain residents have already got a jump on the holiday season. Their trees are trimmed, the halls are decked and the lights are strung, just in time for the second annual Holiday Home Tours.

The tours, taking place this Saturday, Nov. 19, will feature six of Bear Mountain’s custom-built homes, done up to the nines in true holiday fashion, all to support those in need.

Last year the event raised nearly $16,000 and this year, organizer Cindy Scott, owner of KC Custom Designs Ltd., has her sights set on raising $20,000. Proceeds will go to OurPlace Society, the Goldstream Food Bank and the Mustard Seed Foundation.

“I’ve been living up at Bear Mountain since the start,” said Scott, who’s always had the idea of a holiday tour, showcasing the unique craftsmanship and builds in the area, in the back of her mind. “When I approached Bear Mountain and Ecoasis, they were very receptive.”

With their support she turned to other builders, suppliers and trades workers and couldn’t believe the response she received.

This year’s support has continued to blow her away, she said, as more sponsors have come on board with the project – even Capital Iron and Jordans have offered to help decorate a few of the homes.

But the tour isn’t just about inspiring some holiday spirit and home ideas. “One hundred per cent of the money goes to charity,” Scott said. “Victoria is a very expensive place to live … and I’ve seen what a need there is.”

She has even enlisted the help of one of her daughters and her daughter’s friends to collect non-perishable food items for the Goldstream Food Bank the day of the event. Donation boxes will be set up and participants are encouraged to bring items to pass along.

“It’s just been a real cool connection of people helping people,” Scott said. “I feel like it’s this really good thing that’s come together … It really has been inspiring.”

The tour starts with a “Holiday Cheer” reception at the Real Estate Show Suite in the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa, hosted by Ecoasis Bear Mountain. After warming up, participants can board limo-style tour buses (donated by Alpine Limousine and Wilson’s Transportation Group) and head off on this holiday adventure.

The buses leave between 1 and 6 p.m., or you can also pick up a tour map and walk or drive yourself on a self-guided tour between 1 and 7 p.m.

Last year’s dinner tickets were so popular, Scott said, they decided to add a second sitting. However, the 7:30 p.m. sitting sold out weeks ago and there are only a few tickets left for 5 p.m.

Tour tickets are $25 each or $60 with dinner. They’re available online at bearmountain.ca/holidays, by phone at 250-391-7171, at the hotel’s concierge desk and at the customer service desk at the Market on Millstream or Market on Yates.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com