November 30, 2021
New donations to the Vancity Humanitarian Fund will be matched dollar for dollar until December 19, 2021, up to $100,000.
Aviso Wealth Inc. is partnering with Vancity to support relief organizations working to help Abbotsford, Merritt, Princeton and other British Columbia communities dealing with the devastating impact of severe rainfall, flooding and mudslides. Aviso Wealth is making a $30,000 donation to the Vancity Humanitarian Fund held at Vancity Community Foundation, which Vancity will match dollar for dollar, bringing the total donation to $60,000.
By partnering with Vancity, a values-based financial co-operative, Aviso Wealth is demonstrating its commitment to supporting local communities through its credit union partners across Canada. "At Aviso Wealth, partnership is in our DNA," said President and CEO Bill Packham. "Care, empathy and integrity apply not just to the way we do business, but to the way we respect and support our local communities."
"Once again, our communities are experiencing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis firsthand. A huge thanks to our partner Aviso Wealth for this incredibly generous donation, and to all of our members and the public who have contributed so far," said Allison Felker, interim Executive Director Vancity Community Foundation. "The campaign is open until December 19, 2021, and I encourage anyone who's in a position to do so to contribute to relief efforts during this challenging time."
Through the Humanitarian Fund, Vancity will distribute donations to various organizations carrying out flood relief and recovery activities in and around the affected regions. The organizations include the Canadian Red Cross, Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund and Watari Counselling & Support Services Society, among others.
British Columbia has been in a state of emergency since mid-November, when record rainfalls, severe flooding and mudslides brought devastation to the region. Aviso Wealth has deep roots in the province and maintains a large corporate office in Vancouver.
"We have a decades-long association with Vancity, and we're grateful to Vancity for increasing the impact of our donation," said Packham. "Our hope is that other companies and individuals will also be inspired to make a contribution."
Anyone interested in making a donation to the Vancity Humanitarian Fund may do so at this link: https://www.vancitycommunityfoundation.ca/give/donor-advised-funds/vancity-humanitarian-fund.
About the Vancity Humanitarian Fund
Vancity developed the Vancity Humanitarian Fund in September 2015 in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and to provide ongoing support for organizations that address this and other humanitarian causes. To date this year, the Fund has donated to the India Covid-19 Response Appeal through the Canadian Red Cross, contributed $100,000 to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis line, and $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross 2021 British Columbia Fires Appeal. In total, the fire appeal received donations from members and the public totaling $149,880.83.
* Online donations made through the Vancity Humanitarian Fund by credit card will receive a tax receipt immediately by email. For all other donations, tax receipts will be sent by mail or email within 3 to 6 weeks. To receive a tax receipt for the current calendar year, donations must be received by Vancity Community Foundation on or before December 31.