Group on track to raise $1M for seniors
A group of local philanthropists with a goal of raising $1 million to help seniors isolating on their own and living in long-term care homes during the pandemic has reached three-quarters of its goal.
When COVID-19 hit, the Christian Leaders Response Fund was quickly formed to link philanthropists with Christian charities that already deliver services to seniors, including the Salvation Army, the Union Gospel Mission, the Catholic Charities Men’s Hostel, the Door is Open, the More than a Roof Housing Society, and Whole Way House, to name a few.
The goal is to raise $1 million and the fund is encouraging all British Columbians, especially B.C.’s estimated two million Christians, to donate.
The long list of philanthropists includes some well-known names, such as Vancouver Canucks owner Paolo Aquilini, grocery and car dealership magnate Jim Pattison, developer Michael Audain, and University of B.C. president Santa Ono.
The letter launching the fund was also signed by a number of religious leaders from a wide range of Christian denominations and heads of non-profit groups.
“As Christians, we’re called to demonstrate our love by actions,” said philanthropist Peter Ash, who helped come up with the idea. “It’s my responsibility to respond to people in need.”
He said they wanted to help the most vulnerable and decided to “target groups that work with seniors,” he said.
Many of the charities that serve seniors are made possible by their volunteers and he said most of those people would be seniors themselves and unable to help.
The funds could be used to hire staff.
City in Focus, which connects B.C. philanthropists to charities, said the funds will be distributed to charities to prepare and deliver food and medicine to seniors isolating in their apartments or SROs.
The funds will also be provided to Christian-run long-term care homes to improve services to their residents, including donations of mobile devices so they can connect with loved ones, said Tom Cooper of City in Focus.
One charity that has expanded during COVID-19, thanks to the fundraiser, is Whole Way House, started by Jenny Konkin in 2013.
She has been community building in a low-income B.C. Housing apartment for seniors and has now expanded to 18 additional buildings and added seven staff.
In her initial building she offers daily programs, which include coffee in the morning, smoothies one afternoon a week, a monthly group dinner, a shopping boutique where residents can “spend” tickets she gives them for free, and an offer of a ride to church Sunday for those who are interested.
She and her staff also help them with mail, medical appointments or dealing with government agencies.
She delivers hot meals to their rooms, holds cooking and art classes, and invites the residents to help with simple chores, to make them feel like they belong.
“It’s a way of telling them, ‘You have value, you’re loved and accepted,’” said Konkin.
“I get a lot of handwritten thankyou cards.”
Rachal Allen of the Union Gospel Mission said the funds help them reach out to the many seniors who live in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, including the “Mothers Club,” a group of elderly Asian women who met regularly before the pandemic kept them confined to their homes.
Pollster Angus Reid, one of the donors, said he was inspired to donate to provide funds to the many church groups that are the point of first contact with new Canadians and others who need support: “It’s important to use that community to distribute aid and comfort.”
The fundraiser is led by Christians, but the majority of recipients are non-Christians, and the fundraiser offers help to those who need it with no questions asked or anything expected in return.
“It’s phenomenal what they did,” said B.C.’s senior advocate, Isobel Mackenzie.
“It’s really heartening to see that kind of outpouring of generosity.”
All donations are used for the seniors’ programs with no subtraction of administration fees, Cooper said.