Hold on to your empties.
To start the new year right, the 5th Garry Oak Scouts are having their annual bottle drive.
The Oak Bay scouting group will collect refundable cans, bottles and juice boxes on Jan. 4 starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds will go toward supporting scouting programs, designed to build citizenship, leadership skills and an appreciation for the outdoors.
A letter will be delivered to homes soon notifying them about the bottle drive. The letter will include a special note residents are asked to place with their empties on the curb identifying the donation is for the Scouts. The collection area is bounded by Oak Bay Avenue, Foul Bay Road, Lansdowne Road and Beach Drive.
Those outside the area can drop off empties on Jan. 4 at the Scout Hall at Fireman’s Park, 1703 Monterey Ave. or at one of three bottle depots: 3961 Quadra St., 4261 Glanford Ave. or 655 Queens Ave. Just tell staff it’s for the 5th Garry Oak Scouts collection.
The last bottle drive raised $3,800. The year’s goal is to break the $4,000 mark.
The 5th Garry Oak group has 60 members in Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. They range in age from five to 14.
For more information, call Mike at 250-882-2853.