Learning Alternatives Principal Brett Hancock (left) receiving $1,600 in grocery store gift cards. (submitted/Sarah Pachkowsky)

By Spencer Sterritt

welcome help

Lasting legacy of beloved Nanaimo man helping families pay grocery bills

Apr 13, 2020 | 12:25 PM

NANAIMO — A recent donation to the Learning Alternative program run in Nanaimo schools hits home for its principal.

Brett Hancock says the $1,600 worth of grocery store gift cards received will help families struggling to put food on the table during the harsh economic downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation also holds special significance because it’s from the Garrett Paquette Fund for Families in Need, named after a dear friend of Hancock’s who passed away in 2011.

“It touches my heart that he’s still being recognized for the humanitarian he was,” Hancock told NanaimoNewsNOW. “It’s really neat to see the legacy carried on of someone who put in a lot of beautiful work he was a part of.”

At the time of his passing, Paquette was raising money for Movember. The campaign raised $115,000 to honour his efforts and became the largest Movember fundraiser in the world.

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Hancock said he still rocks a mustache during November to remember his friend and tell Learning Alternative students about the importance of charity and community fundraising.

“His families and friends are carrying on some beautiful work in his name and I’m honoured to be part of that and have known Garrett.”

The Garrett Paquette fund is operated through the Nanaimo Foundation.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit