City and Regional District support Campbell River Community Foundation
In support of the Campbell River Community Foundation’s COVID Relief fundraising drive, the City and Strathcona Regional District have donated a combined total of more than $50,000.
Campbell River, BC – In support of the Campbell River Community Foundation’s COVID Relief fundraising drive, the City and Strathcona Regional District have donated a combined total of more than $50,000.
In late March, the foundation launched a task force to raise $100,000 to support local charitable organizations providing COVID-19 related relief to households within the School District 72 geographical area. The foundation raised more than $127,000 by the end of April and already three grants have been approved.
The fundraising drive continues, and the foundation has reached out to approximately 20 local non‐profit societies, asking them to complete an online application form to help the foundation assess needs for funding. The societies that have applied provide services to a variety of vulnerable people, including isolated seniors, families, newly unemployed and precariously housed and homeless people.
“The local non-profits who we turn to for help are struggling to assist for many reasons. In some cases, donations are down because businesses are not in a position to contribute. In some cases, these societies have lost volunteers or can’t raise funds by holding their popular events because of physical distancing requirements,” says Craig Gillis, president and board chair of the Community Foundation. “The Campbell River Community Foundation is made up of volunteers dedicated to helping people help others. We want to provide funding to bridge the gap for these local organizations so they can continue to help the people who need it most. We’re talking basics like food, clothing and shelter.”
“Throughout our region, people are doing their best to make the adjustments necessary to help keep each other safe, and this has had major impacts on local businesses and people ability to earn a living,” says Strathcona Regional District chair Michele Babchuk. “In recognition of this extraordinary challenge, the regional district is contributing $30,000 and Area D has supplemented with another $2,500, knowing that this will provide far-reaching support.”
“Campbell River has a long history of neighbours supporting neighbours, with the virus creating so much hardship for so many people and complicating our ability to help out in person, we’re directly supporting the people who are helping the members of our community most in need,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “At our April 6 meeting, Council unanimously supported contributing to the Campbell River Community Foundation fundraising drive for COVID relief, and we encourage everyone who has the means to consider supporting as well. Because we’re all in this together, but some of us need more help to make it through.”
Along with $30,000 from the Community Foundation, $2,500 received from the We Wai Kai Nation, $20,000 from the City of Campbell River, $30,000 from the Strathcona Regional District, and $2,500 from Electoral Area D, the rest of the funds have come from individual donors.
Find out more and contribute online at www.crfoundation.ca
Highlights of grants to date:
- John Howard Society of North Vancouver Island – $5,000 for gift food cards from local grocery stores and fast food outlets to distribute to people who are short of food.
- Campbell River Hospice Society – $16,500 to continue operating for the next four months. (Fundraising through their thrift store, golf tournament and other community events, have been cancelled.)
- Campbell River Family Services –‐$10,000 for Babies Best Chance program (counselling, housing and personal supplies). Foundation support will double the (normally $10) gift food card to help purchase healthy food for the next four months.
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Contact: SRD Chair Michele Babchuk 250-830-6274 ~ Mayor Andy Adams 250-286-5744