During these tough times, we know that money’s tight. Many industries are suffering as a result, and some – like these local charities that depend on donors to keep their important initiatives going – need our help to keep running. Here are just 5 of the local charities here in BC that need our help, so they can help others.
1) Canucks Autism Network
What They Do
The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) strives to promote acceptance, accessibility, and inclusion in the community and provides highly supported programs to empower individuals with autism to build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
How You Can Help
Until October 4th, you can participate in the Fishing For Kids Online Auction, where every dollar donated through Fund a Child will be matched by their friends at Wheaton Precious Metals. Bid on exclusive items and experiences, such as getaways, rare sports memorabilia, apparel, dining, and home and lifestyle products, and enjoy your items while giving back to these local charities.
2) Ronald McDonald House
What They Do
Each year, 2,000 families from across BC and the Yukon travel to Vancouver in search of life-saving treatment for their children. Far from their homes, they need affordable accommodation and a place to stay together under one roof. Ronald McDonald House® BC and Yukon offers a home away from home, a community of support and a restful space for families to heal better together.
How You Can Help
Through the Home For Dinner initiative, consider encouraging your holiday dinner guests to donate to RMH BC instead of bringing wine or a hostess gift, so families with sick children can continue to share meals and moments together while they heal.
Feel like ordering in? Restaurant Partners have committed to supporting RMH BC with every meal ordered for the Home for Dinner program. By ordering takeout from one of the participating restaurants, you are supporting local businesses and extending your support to families at RMH BC.
3) Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
What They Do
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is a place of comfort and compassion where children with life-threatening conditions can receive expert clinical care while experiencing the simple joys of being a child with their families at their side savouring their time together.
How You Can Help
Coming up this Saturday, September 26th, the Gift of Time Virtual Gala is a great way to give back. Guests are invited to gather their bubbles and join from the comfort of home for the first-ever virtual Gift of Time experience. Attendees will be granted access to an exclusive online auction and be treated to an engaging virtual program featuring a powerful speech from Canuck Place mom, Katie Jameson. Can’t make it? There’s an extensive list of other ways to give back.
4) One Girl Can
What They Do
One Girl Can was born out of a need to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement and provide an opportunity for the brightest and most promising girls in rural Africa to develop substantial and meaningful careers through a university or post-secondary school education. Educating girls is one of the fastest and most effective ways of promoting global economic development and the key to ultimately ending poverty and injustice for women. It is also one of the highest return investments in the developing world.
How You Can Help
Celebrate International Day of the Girl on October 11th by sharing your girl hero on social media, using the hashtag #HereForHerFuture. You can also participate in these local charities by going to the silent auction for a chance to win beauty products from great brands, restaurant gift cards, getaways, and more, and all funds raised will go towards rebuilding Ushirika School and continuing to support vulnerable adolescent girls and young women in the Kibera slums during the pandemic.
5) Arts Umbrella
What They Do
Launched in 1979 as a grassroots project, Arts Umbrella has evolved into Canada’s leading non-profit organization for arts education for young people. Splash is anchored by an acclaimed live and silent auction of artworks entirely donated by the Canadian artist community. The event has raised more than $7.2 million in net proceeds to date, allowing young people across Metro Vancouver to access Arts Umbrella programs and workshops through bursaries, scholarships and donor-funded community programs.
How You Can Help
Arts Umbrella has just announced their Special 2020 Edition of their annual Splash Art Auction & Gala. The flagship fundraiser will carry on its tradition of supporting youth arts programming with a combination of in-person and online experiences, presented by Nicola Wealth.
For the first time, the event will be hosted across multiple locations ranging from leading restaurants to private venues, each with a maximum of 50 people (as per provincial government and health official guidelines). Organizers anticipate attendance to exceed more than 500 business and community leaders, patrons, collectors and art enthusiasts from across the country.
In addition to enjoying Splash’s Special 2020 Edition, ticket holders will receive an invitation to a private tour at the Pendulum Gallery to preview the Splash 2020 Art Collection (September 21 to October 16). Art collectors unable to attend Splash in person need not miss out on the opportunity to bid: at-home tickets are available for purchase, complete with local catering delivery.
