The Squamish Men’s Shed will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a free community event at Westwinds on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 38275 Third Avenue and includes workshop visits, a display of projects from the past decade, and light refreshments, according to a press release from the organization. Since opening in 2016, the non-profit workshop has given men in Squamish and the surrounding area a place to connect, share skills and work on community projects.
The organization says members have donated thousands of volunteer hours to local non-profits, completing around 20 community initiatives in a single year.
Those projects have included bat condos and animal cutouts for the Squamish River Watershed Society, 100 garden planters and garden gates in partnership with Squamish Climate Action Network, and a grand piano converted into a bookshelf for Hilltop House.
Members have also made a bucket-list blackboard for Sea to Sky Community Hospice, benches for Squamish Helping Hands and toy trucks for the Squamish Fire Department’s toy drive. An annual summer youth program teaches woodworking to children aged five to 11.
“What makes the Shed special isn’t the tools or the projects, though we’re proud of both. It’s the conversations that happen when men work side by side. Ten years on, this has become a second home for many of our members, and we’d love to welcome new faces who want to give it a try,” said president John Guilfoyle.
The Shed also hosted the first provincial conference of the Men’s Sheds Association of BC and has welcomed federal and local representatives to its workshop, the release said.
Presentations at the anniversary event begin at 12:30 p.m. and will include a look back at the Shed’s history and recognition of founding members and volunteers. The mayor, council, local MP and MLA have been invited.
New members are welcome, and no experience is needed. For more information about the celebration, email admin@squamishmensshed.ca or call 604-389-9654.
