SWINGING FOR KIDS: In 1945, a brand new radio station made an appeal to listeners to support orphaned kids in the Loyal Protestant Home that neighboured their New Westminster office. The on-air call from CKNW was answered and donations flooded in and the CKNW Orphan’s Fund was started.
Fast forward to 2018, and now brandishing a new moniker — the CKNW Kids Fund — the commitment to B.C. kids remains as strong as ever.
“For over 73 years, the fund has granted millions of dollars to support hundreds of thousands of children with a variety of physical, mental and social challenges,” says current board chair Wally Oppal . “And we could not do it without the generosity of British Columbians who have helped provide grants for specialized medical equipment, therapies and programs for at-risk youth.”
Another 144 people recently did their part by hitting the fairways of the Vancouver Golf Club for the inaugural Take A Swing Charity Golf Tournament, presented in partnership with the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by McQuarrie. Players set aside the torrential rain that plagued the day, choosing instead to focus on the kids they were supporting through their efforts.
Food and drink strategically placed at various holes and an opportunity to swing for a Mini Clubman further fuelled participants. For new father Brad Ferraro , it was the best day as he sunk a timely hole-in-one at the Par 3, 7th hole to claim the sporty 2019 Mini roadster. His efforts also propelled his Alpine Credits foursome to a podium finish in the charity golf tourney.
Additional guests joined players back at the Coquitlam clubhouse. Lynda Steele of CKNW and Global TV’s Chris Gailus emceed the dinner portion of the evening orchestrating more fundraising games before awarding tournament prizes. For the first time radio outsold television, quipped Gailus as a private station tour led by Steele outsold Gailus’ behind the scenes studio visit. The friendly competition would eventually see gala-goers empty their wallets of more than $20,000 in the five-lot live auction. Coupled with a call out for cash and sponsorships, the debut event would raise more than $100,000 for the fund, reported Sara-Dubois Phillips , executive director of the CKNW Kids Fund. Capping off the extraordinary evening Laurie Rix added $500,000 in memory of her husband, former CKNW sports broadcaster Neil MacRae who passed away from cancer.
Party with a para-purpose
BOOST FOR PARATHLETES: Surprisingly the Paralympic Foundation of Canada was only founded a few years ago as the philanthropic arm of the Canadian Paralympic Committee — its mandate to ensure the programs, equipment and people are in place to propel those with a disability into sport and potentially onto the world’s biggest sporting stage.
It probably comes as no surprise to many that para-athletes receive far less funding than their Olympic counterparts. The popularity and success of the Para-Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010, followed by London in 2014 and the Invictus Games has seen interest and participation in para-sports grow. The foundation was created in 2015 to give Canadians with a disability the opportunity to get into the game and to become elite athletes.
Chubb Insurance last week hosted a Vancouver fundraising reception in support of the foundation at the Terminal City Club. Fronted by former Canadian swimmer Anne Barnes , Senior Vice President with Chubb, and joined by two of the country’s most decorated Paralympians in Michael Edgson and Donavan Tildsley , some 150 guests convened at the downtown members club for the initial Party with a Para-Purpose event.
Between free-flowing food and drink, attendees kibitzed with Dean Brokop and Danielle Porteous , representatives from the foundation, as well as lend support to the national para-movement in a spirited live auction and paddle raise. Nearly $25,000 would result from the medal-worthy cocktail party.
“Success isn’t necessarily about competing and winning medals,” says Brokop. “Winning the race begins with ensuring every Canadian can imagine themselves at the start line.”
Last year, the foundation launched ImagiNation, a four-year initiative to raise $6 million to ensure more Canadians with a disability are given the opportunity to choose sport and discover their fullest potential. Once achieved, the Government of Canada will unlock another $4 million in grant funding. To date, the campaign has generated a reported $2.1 million.
