At CWB, we take pride in making meaningful contributions in the communities where we operate. We strongly believe that service to others makes our society better. That’s why we support BC Children’s Hospital, the province’s only full-service, pediatric acute care hospital. Since 1982, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF) has raised funds to treat seriously ill or injured children living in BC and the Yukon.
The power of goals and teamwork
In our final days of fundraising this year for the BC Children’s Hospital, one CWB employee put out a challenge for the organization to reach $20,000 in donations. However, the total at the time was about $500 short. In response, CWB departments and individual staff members mobilized and joined forces to overcome that shortfall. Within the span of 24 hours, we saw total donations exceeded by over $3,500!
Blaine Forer, Senior Vice President & Regional General Manager for the B.C. Region at CWB, was touched by the generosity of staff. “It really warms my heart to see employees coming together for this very worthy cause,” he says.
As a result, CWB presented a total gift of $23,047.08 at the 31st Annual Miracle Weekend — a live broadcast event celebrating the conclusion of the year’s fundraising efforts of individuals and groups, such as CWB, for BC Children’s Hospital. Our eight-year fundraising total for BC Children’s Hospital is nearly $200,000.
How we raise funds
CWB employees raise funds through a variety of initiatives. Two of the most popular methods are jeans days and Purdy’s chocolate sales in our branches. In addition to this, CWB employees can purchase raffle tickets for a day off with pay, wine, Vancouver Canucks tickets and autographed Vancouver Whitecaps FC items. We also host employee events, such as pizza days and pub nights, to raise funds.
“It’s a great way for employees to connect while also supporting a great cause,” notes Kathy Berg, who is the co-chair of CWB’s fundraising efforts.
How our donations help
Donations fund a variety of areas, including research into childhood diseases, specialized equipment, as well as health promotion and education. In 2016-17, BCCHF finished building the new Teck Acute Care Centre where $200 million had been raised to fund the construction of the building. As a donor, we were able to take part in their “Behind the Stethoscope” event and get a firsthand tour of the new state-of-the-art facility. Our employees were amazed by the level of detail that went into the design — from the themed murals that transport children’s minds to another place, to operating rooms with cutting edge technology and playrooms that facilitate recovery.
We also had a chance to hear from the 2018 Champion Child, Colton Hasebe, and his family. Colton was treated at BC Children’s Hospital for a severe asthma attack that caused him to stop breathing and have a heart attack. Doctors and nurses were able to resuscitate him and Colton received treatment from a team of specialists during his recovery. The family’s gratitude for BC Children’s Hospital, and its donors, was profound.
“Colton is alive today because of BC Children Hospital Foundation,” says his dad Kevin. “Now he’s sitting at the dinner table every night instead of us staring at an empty chair.”
In addition to BC Children’s Hospital, we support many other organizations with mandates in the areas of health research and promotion, education and community development. Visit our website or contact our Community Investment team to learn more about our giving philosophy.