Donation to Western Communities Foundation helps fulfill dreams

September 25, 2019

Our teams supporting the Western Communities Foundation (WCF) and wish granters at Victoria’s Help Fill a Dream Foundation (HFAD) are on the same wavelength — seeing smiles on kids’ faces is magical.

Through the WCF, our National Insurance Operations (NIO) and Western Coast Insurance Services teams in Victoria were thrilled to donate $7,325 to HFAD in 2018 and will, once again, show support in 2019.

The British Columbia-based non-profit has been making dreams come true and providing practical and financial support to children with medical conditions, health challenges or disabilities since 1986.

“There is joy in the act of giving,” Trena White, manager of program compliance with NIO, said. “Volunteering and giving helps us look beyond ourselves and build stronger, happier communities.”

More than 2,200 dreams have come true, such as sending youngsters to Disney World, purchasing special medical equipment and ensuring families have the comfort they need during treatment.

Craig Smith, executive director with HFAD, said every donation supports families and their needs, including money for gas to get to an appointment or much-needed equipment.

“If the time is right, a dream can also help the family make new and happy memories together,” he said.

Fourteen-year-old Arielle, who has Type 1 Juvenile diabetes, traveled from Nanaimo to Clearwater Marine Aquarium to help train dolphin Winter — well-known from movie Dolphin Tale.

“She (Winter) has a disability that she conquered and became an amazing role model,” Arielle said. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be a dolphin trainer for Winter.”

Our NIO team will also support charity Jeneece Place in 2019 — an organization providing youth and families a home-away-from-home to stay while seeking medical care in Victoria.

Supporting these two not-for-profits brings us enormous joy because we know that we, and others, are helping to make a difference for childrens’ lives through donations.

“The stories of the children and their families whose lives have been touched by these two charities are numerous and heartwarming,” White said.