At DP World, our Community Kinship campaign is part of our ongoing community mission to raise awareness for charitable and non-profit organizations that contribute to the greater good. Crucial to the wellness of the Vancouver community are the organizations that take seriously the plight of the under-privileged and under-fed, and come together to aid neighbors who desperately need help.
In this post, we’d like to turn a holiday spotlight on three organizations that take social responsibility personally. They deserve our recognition and Vancouver’s support for the work they do, and for the lives they salvage.
People in Need…Need People like These.
The upcoming holidays can be particularly devastating for individuals and families gripped by issues such as hunger, unemployment, disability and financial hardship. What should be a time of joy can be a time of suffering for people in these situations.
Their need is great. Fortunately, there are non-profits that recognize that need and are dedicated to doing something about it.
These charities need our community-wide support, especially during the holiday season. While there are so many programmes worthy of our time and financial generosity, here are three that deserve special attention this time of year.
BC Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees
This annual holiday event transforms shopping malls and hotel lobbies across British Columbia into lush forests of brilliantly decorated trees. It’s dazzling, exciting and, best of all, it raises funds for BC Children’s Hospital.
The Festival of Trees can be enjoyed throughout December in six different BC communities. In Vancouver, you’ll find the Festival of Trees at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and the CF Pacific Centre Mall, open to the public seven days a week, until 11:00 pm. There is no cost for admission, but you are asked to make a minimum $5.00 donation to vote for your favourite tree.
St. Paul’s Foundation’s Lights of Hope
For two dazzling decades, the Lights of Hope have been a brilliant part of Vancouver’s holiday celebration. Over 150 volunteers spend six weeks building a display that uses 100,000 bulbs and hundreds of sponsored stars—a spectacular and inspired holiday illumination of St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver.
The names of those who donate to the Lights of Hope are featured in the display. Donations of any amount are welcomed by the St. Paul’s Foundation to meet the needs of caregivers, patients, residents and their loved ones. The display is unveiled a amid fireworks and lasts until January 8, 2018.
Aunt Leah’s Trees
Aunt Leah’s tree lots raise money to fund programmes that help children in foster care from becoming homeless, and help young mothers from losing custody of their children. Aunt Leah’s has been doing this for 20 years, and last year raised over $450,000 through the generous help of community members, sponsors, and volunteers.
Aunt Leah’s helps kids find homes all year long. And there are many ways individuals and companies can help.
Starting November 24, Christmas tree shoppers in Vancouver can visit Aunt Leah’s lot at St. Stephen’s United Church, at 54th and Granville Street, every day through December 23 from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
If you’re looking to further your company’s social responsibility, check out our blog for other potential recipients: https://www.dpworld.ca/category/community-kinship/
If you want to keep an eye on other news and happenings in the community, we invite you to follow our twitter channel: http://twitter.com/DPWKinship