Ladner woodworker and crafter Peter Blair has a lot of heart.
Now retired after 30-plus years working for BC Ferries, Blair and his family have called Ladner home for 40 years.
He primarily makes artistic wood turnings, but recently used his skills for a fundraising project to support Delta Hospital. The response from the community has been overwhelming, so much so, that he is no longer accepting requests.
He said he came up with the ‘fundraising’ campaign from a Facebook ‘friend’.
“One of the fellows suggested we make April Heart Month and I thought what a great idea, so I put up a wood heart in our front window of our house and wrote on it ‘Hearts for Heros’ and then I thought I could do a bit more,” he said. “So I could make a few more and make a donation to the hospital. The interest was huge. I looked around my shop and found some other wood and those went practically before I knew it and I’ve had over 50 requests. I enjoy woodworking and I like to give, but I won’t be taking any more requests.”
He says the donation to the hospital will be a couple thousand dollars.
“People like to show their support for frontline workers, so it’s a nice way for people to show their support,” he said. “They can hang the heart in their window or wherever they want to display it.”
In the next week or so Blair will is also collaborating with Jordy Johnson of Carving Fusion and another local artist auctioning off a few pieces of art and craft for the same cause.
Johnson has donated a few pieces featuring hearts and Blair will be contributing a pair of hand-made wood rings, which also feature red rings and a local crafter has offered a cool Yoda with a big red heart.
Blair said he will promote the auction through the local South Delta community Facebook groups.
