West Vancouver Foundation’s campaign raises $195,000 for local charities

West Vancouver Foundation’s Give Where You Live campaign has raised over $195,000 for eight local charities.

Give Where You Live is an annual community giving campaign that creates an opportunity for local residents to learn more about the needs and local charities that support those needs, and donate to local programs. As part of the campaign, 244 donations were made through this year’s campaign.

Here are the charities that have received these donations with money raised from local residents.

Kay Meek Arts Society ($9,445)

The Kay Meek Summer Youth Conservatory Program is an annual musical theatre intensive for youth age 8 to 18. Community member donations and funding from the Howard Martin Memorial Fund will allow more youth to participate in this exciting program, by reducing the cost barrier.

Family Services of the North Shore ($16,485 raised)

The Family Services of the North Shore Christmas Bureau ensures that low-income families, individuals, and seniors living in our community can celebrate the holidays. Community members and local businesses donated through our campaign, in addition to many more direct donations, as well as funding from the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund at the Foundation. These donations allowed many more families, youth and seniors to celebrate the holidays.

Ocean Ambassadors Canada ($17,990 raised)

Ocean Ambassadors Canada, based in West Vancouver, is connecting people with the ocean, educating them about marine pollution and ocean health, and inspiring people to care for the ocean. The Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund and community members donations will go toward the PickUp3 North Shore program. This program’s aim is to inspire people to pick up 3 pieces of garbage every time they visit a beach, body of water, trail, or anywhere in nature.

365GiveSociety ($20,590 raised)

365give, based in West Vancouver, has a very simple mission – to change the world one give, one day at a time. The funds raised from community donations and the Howard Martin Memorial Fund will go toward developing a new Student Leadership Program to serve schools and students from grades 5 through university. The program is based on a community service-learning model that will empower learners to give within their school communities, their local communities, and a global issue

Harvest Project ($21,480 raised)

Harvest Project provides individualized safety-net services to residents facing challenging life circumstances. Support includes coaching and counseling, a rent bank (interest free loans), food support programs, clothing and referrals. Funds raised through community member donations and the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund will be used toward the vital Care Program.

North Shore Community Resource ($22,200 raised)

he goal of the North Shore Community Resources’ seniors program is to provide a one stop hub of information and services where seniors can be connected to supports that empower them to remain independent in their homes, mitigate isolation, improve community connection, and ultimately increase a sense of well-being. Community and business donations were raised and the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund provided additional funds, which will go toward programs that support vulnerable seniors on the North Shore.

Avalon Recovery Society ($24,550 raised)

Avalon Recovery Society, provides completely free, life-changing services to women and families recovering from addiction. They have a wait list of over 100 women on the North Shore, waiting to receive counselling support. These funds will help  Avalon provide free, high-quality counselling to help meet demand. Thank you to the community members and an anonymous matching donor.

West Van Seniors’ Activity Centre ($62,875 raised)

The Seniors’ Activity Centre’s meal program began as the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light a genuine need among West Vancouver’s most vulnerable seniors, who lacked the financial means to access regular meals. Feed the Need provides 3 free meals a week to vulnerable seniors who are struggling with food security and without family or community support to help. Together with donations made direct to the Seniors Centre, enough funds were raised to support this program for most of 2023, ensuring vulnerable seniors in West Vancouver will continue to receive much needed meals. Thank you to the many community members and the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund.