GHCS not chosen to receive funds from AVIVA
Derek Kilbourn
derek@soundernews.com
Monday, February 1 2010
Nancy Nevison, Health Care Auxiliary chair, announced on January 25th, “It is with great disappointment that the Gabriola Health Care Auxiliary has to let you know that the results of the AVIVA Community Fund online competition will not bring any money to Gabriola. But, it has built a community spirit that is priceless!”
The AVIVA online competition ran from October 13th to December 16th, 2009, with various stages of voting done by members of the public.
The Gabriola Health Care Clinic entry in the competition finished in 20th place with 19,150 votes in the semi-final round, advancing to the finals to be judged on various criteria by the AVIVA organizers.
Nancy said, “They [AVIVA] contacted Judith Graham, by phone, today, January 25th, to say, ‘It was very close, and although you met all the general criteria, we have picked eight projects that were all heavily themed in youth residing in densely populated areas, from Prince Edward Island to Burnaby, BC’.
“The Auxiliary would like to thank all of the voters and volunteers who worked so diligently and tirelessly trying to promote our little island with the big idea.
“As chair of the Auxiliary, I would like you to consider that if we had not entered the contest we would not have had the Voters & Volunteers Village office donated to us. If we hadn’t had the office we would not have had the “branching out” Katsura tree which raised $45,000 in the past two months. We would not have raised over $1,200 from the Santa Claus photos, and it would have been very difficult to organize our very successful celebration of ‘2010 Year of the Clinic’. It gives me great pleasure to say that since the Night of Announcements (November 4th, 2009) the Auxiliary and Foundation have raised almost $100,000 in total for health care on Gabriola.
“We believe that a permanent community-owned urgent care facility along with the associated medical clinic is an essential component of the long-term safety, health and well-being of all island residents and visitors and we will continue to do whatever is necessary to reach that goal.”
Brenda Fowler, president of the Gabriola Health Care Society (GHCS) said, “There isn’t anybody in our community who isn’t grateful for living here. With the Haiti fundraiser, the Higgins fundraiser, the tree here that has raised $45K [for the GHCS], $100K raised since November for the clinic.
“These are all indicators of a healthy and generous community.
“It’s remarkable. The capacity to give is just remarkable.”
There are still 15 fundraising events being planned for the remainder of 2010.
The GHCS AGM will be in the early spring, and new board members are being sought. Anyone who is interested in participating in the strategic planning and in the governance of the organization is invited to contact Brenda at ghcs@ghcs.ca.
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