The contributions made to local animal welfare organizations by the late Jim Thompson are set to be just as impactful in death as they were in life.
A fundraiser in honour of Thompson, a beloved family man, Lynn Valley resident and executive committee member of the North Vancouver branch of charitable organization Fraternal Order of Eagles, has raised $3,360 for West Vancouver BCSPCA.
The organization’s president Richard Crutchley, along with other representatives from the FOE, presented the cheque at a fundraising event at the centre March 1.
More than 100 guests spanning Thompson’s friends and family attended the fundraiser, with all proceeds from the ticket sales going towards charitable efforts. The large turnout was evidence of the impact Thompson had on the local community, said Crutchley.
“He was such a good member of our organization, a gentle and a kind guy,” he said. “He always had a smile on his face, he always had a joke, he was just such a bright person to be around.”
Crutchley said it had been an “absolutely fantastic” evening, made more so by the entertainment provided by live music acts The Moodyville Park Band and DJ Richy James. A hot dog stall, set up as an ode to the same day’s ‘Superbowl Sunday’ event, ensured guests were well fed and ramped up donations even further.
“The event finished around midnight. His wife was there. His two daughters were there. The atmosphere was really good, it was just a really positive night,” he said.
Crutchley said Thompson’s wife “burst into tears” when he initially proposed the idea of a fundraiser in honour of her husband, who passed away in November 2023. Now the two are considering making it an annual event, so Thompson’s legacy and contributions to the local organizations he cared so much for can live on.
The donations will go towards refurbishing the centre's outdoor courtyard, an area where prospective adopters bond with the animals they’re considering for adoption, said Sarah Henderson, manager of the BCSPCA West Vancouver Community Animal Centre at the event.
Founded in 1898 in Seattle, the Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international non-profit that holds fundraisers to raise money for local communities and charities. The organization donates more than $10 million each year.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
