Chilliwack Beavers donate nearly $500 worth of pyjamas to Cyrus Centre

Large bags full of pyjamas were almost as big as the kids carrying them, but some young Chilliwack Beaver Scouts were determined to donate them to a local charity this week.

Three members of 6th Chilliwack Beavers completed their community service project on Thursday, Nov. 5. The project is something the kids themselves pick, and it caps off their third year as Beavers before moving up to the rank of Cub.

“What this year’s Beavers wanted to do was help kids who didn’t have homes,” said Brent Hunter, Beaver Scouter.

Beavers Wyatt Desilets, Jack Currie and Sophie Woodhouse had been working on the pyjama drive project for Cyrus Centre since February. Things were interrupted when COVID-19 hit, but by July they were able to start raising money online.

Once the kids had collected nearly $500, and when they were allowed to meet in person, they went out and bought dozens of pair of pyjamas from Carter’s.

The retailer worked closely with the kids and let them know when the best sale date was so they could get “the most bang for our buck,” Hunter said.

On Thursday, three large bags of pyjamas were delivered to Cyrus Centre.

Eight-year-old Wyatt was the only one of the three Beavers able to attend the drop-off that day, but it was clear he was smiling under his mask as he handed over one of the bags.

The Beavers did an “awesome” job, said Trevor Weins, director of Cyrus Centre.

“We connect with all sorts of youth, sometimes their kids, so we will get these into the right hands of those who need it,” Weins said.

Heading into the Christmas season, the pyjamas will make “such an impact” for those families who need them, he added.

After donating the pyjamas, Hunter handed Wyatt his North Star Award for completing the project. Jack and Sophie will receive theirs as well.

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