Wayne Bourgeois is ringing in a milestone birthday with the gift of generosity.
Bourgeois — affectionately known locally as one of the “brain twins” for his cross-country cycling trip with Ron Pachet to raise awareness about brain injury — chose to celebrate turning 65 by giving back to his community.
His brainchild to raise money for the Cowichan Valley Basket Society took shape at Providence Farm on Aug. 15, where friends and supporters gathered for a burger-and-beer fundraiser that brought the community together and made a meaningful impact.
After a full day of rain, the sun made a late appearance, casting a warm glow over the evening celebration. Non-perishable food and monetary donations collected at the event will go directly toward supporting local families in need.
Cowichan Valley Basket Society manager Henry Wikkerink said meeting those needs continues to be a growing challenge.
“Each month, we observe an increase of 10 to 15 per cent compared to the same month in the previous year,” said Wikkerink. “Between 2023 and 2024, there was a remarkable 100 per cent increase in the number of hampers distributed, and from 2024 to 2025, we anticipate an average increase of 15 per cent over the previous year.”
The event, which kicked off at 6 p.m., featured entertainment from DJs fireUp beats and Rabbit Hole Records Crew, along with performances from local bands AWOLz and Yoke. What was truly music to Bourgeois’s ears, however, was that his birthday celebration raised more than $5,000 for the food bank exceeding its desired goal.
"I really appreciate those who attended not just for making my birthday a special event but mainly for the support it gave to CVBS," said Bourgeois. "I'm thankful to all my friends who attended; those who shared their musical talents, and those who volunteered. I'm very grateful to Phillips and Bayview Brewing Company for supplying the beer, to Brianne at Save-On-Foods for adding to the success of the event with the generous donations of hamburger buns and birthday cake, not to mention all the local businesses who donated prizes. It all made for a wonderful night of community at the beautiful setting of the Providence Farm."
