Lynn Hodge

Special to The Record

Val Graham, a longtime member of Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association, loves china, crystal and collectibles.

She had a vision for the Filberg Lodge, hoping to start a small gift shop and raise a bit of money to contribute to the upkeep and beauty of this historic site.

What better solution than combining these two interests and opening the Filberg Gift Shop in the summer of 2011?

Now in its sixth season, the gift shop at the Filberg Lodge has surpassed everyone鈥檚 expectations. Graham and her amazing group of about 40 volunteers reached a milestone this past year, raising a total of $100,000 over the first five years of business.

Back in 2011, a group of ladies approached the Filberg Lodge board, proposing a gift shop fitting the heritage aspects of the property. With seed money of $1,000 and Val鈥檚 husband, Richard Graham, suggesting soliciting donations from people downsizing china cabinets and such, the vision became a reality.

The generosity of people has amazed Graham, with more than 300 people donating to date.

鈥淚 love china, crystal and all collectibles.  They excite me, and when donations come in, it is like Christmas morning,鈥� says Graham.

Many people are cleaning out their parents鈥� homes, searching for an appropriate place to donate the small treasures collected over a lifetime that a younger generation no longer seems to want.  Graham has even had parcels delivered by Fedex.  As well, the Filberg Gift Shop carries a few select purchased items to supplement the donations.

Donations are always welcome and pick up can be arranged by phoning the Filberg office at 250-339-2715.

As Val Graham has been heard to say, 鈥淲hen you donate something, someone may purchase your item and love it as much as you or your mother did.鈥�

The Filberg Lodge is situated on nine acres of beautiful parkland on Comox鈥檚 waterfront.

The Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association (FHLPA) is a non-profit organization established in 1979, which has the responsibility of maintaining and restoring the heritage lodge and outbuildings in the park.  All moneys raised by the FHLPA from membership sales, donations, special events and year round fundraising are used for this purpose and for the operational costs associated with the managing of the park for everyone to enjoy.

Visit filberg.com for details.