The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) certainly is through their sponsorship of Spread the Local Love, an online fundraiser benefitting the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF).
The campaign in-part supports the VHF’s It’s Critical campaign to equip and build Vancouver Island’s first permanent High Acuity Unit, while also supporting local businesses.
Here’s how you can spread the love, too.
From February 1 to 15, B.C. residents can double their impact by shopping local on the Spread the Local Love fundraising page, which features items and gift cards from local businesses. When an item is purchased, or a silent-auction item is successfully bid on, the contribution will go directly to one of the 10 participating non-profits across B.C., including the VHF in Victoria. This means that both local businesses and charitable organizations receive valuable support during these challenging times.
Victoria Hospitals Foundation is a registered charity that works in partnership with Island Health to enable donations to every area of care at Royal Jubilee, Victoria General and Gorge Road hospitals. With Vancouver Island’s ageing and growing population, and the COVID-19 admission surges hospitals are currently facing, expanded critical care capacity is a priority. VHF’s It’s Critical campaign aims to raise funds to expand critical care bed capacity at Royal Jubilee Hospital by 73 per cent, relieving stress on emergency departments and intensive care units.
"We're inspired to see the community come together to support our local hospitals through BCLC’s Spread the Local Love campaign," says Avery Brohman, Executive Director, Victoria Hospitals Foundation. "Our community of donors funds an amazing 40 per cent of the equipment in the hospitals we support, so the community's generosity makes a tremendous impact for our hospitals, caregivers and patients. We're incredibly grateful to BCLC and the Greater Victoria community for their help transforming healthcare in our community."
Spread the Local Love is the second fundraiser of its kind that BCLC has hosted and sponsored since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The previous campaign supported more than 30 businesses within the Lower Mainland and Kamloops, while raising funds for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Royal Inland Hospital Foundation and SHARE Family and Community Services.
BCLC has supported VHF since 1991 and has contributed more than $87,000 to the Foundation in sponsorship since that time. In addition, thanks to the players, a portion of BCLC’s gambling revenue goes back to the Province of B.C. and helps fund essential services such as healthcare, education and community programs.
“We know that the pandemic has created a variety of challenging impacts in B.C.,” says Peter ter Weeme, BCLC’s Chief Social Purpose Officer and V.P. of Player Experience. “With the cancellation of many in-person events due to COVID-19, our team is consistently looking for new, creative ways to support communities. Our goal through the Spread the Local Love campaign is not only to raise funds that will help local charitable organizations continue to serve the communities where they operate, but also to showcase local businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.”
Fairway Market is one of the local businesses in Greater Victoria participating in the Spread the Local Love campaign.
“We are excited to partner with BCLC and VHF for this fundraiser,” says Jennifer Loo, Marketing, Development & Community Relations Coordinator for Fairway Market. “As a lottery retailer, we know BCLC is committed to supporting our community here in Greater Victoria. This campaign is a win-win for local charities, the families that rely on their services, and local businesses like ours.”
Here is a full list of the Greater Victoria businesses participating in Share the Local Love:
- Fairway Market-Multiple Locations
- Jam Café-542 Herald St., Victoria
- Kirby's Source For Sports-894 Cloverdale Ave., Victoria
- Market On Millstream-2401 Millstream Rd., Victoria
- Quality Foods-Multiple Locations
- Rogers Chocolates-Multiple Locations
- Spoons Diner-2915 Douglas St., Victoria
- The Spa Magnolia-625 Courtney St., Victoria
