BVC community shows support for Haiti
In a variety of ways, Bow Valley College employees, students and alumni did their part this week to raise over $10,000 for relief efforts in Haiti.
In one initiative, Recruitment Specialist Daria Soltysiak, with the support of many people throughout the College, organized a bake sale with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross’ Haiti earthquake relief fund.
Daria Soltysiak, Recruitment Specialist, and Vicky Chio, Student Affairs Officer, organizers of BVC's Haiti relief bake sale on January 25, 2010
“I thought that a bake sale would be a good way to raise donations for this important cause while building a sense of community within the College,” said Daria.
Over 60 BVC employees baked more than 700 items for the sale. Staff and students came out in droves to show their support for this great cause.
College-wide, the cooperation displayed was compelling. Those who didn’t bake treats, bought them, sold them, made posters for the event, and recruited others to participate.
A total of $2,467.63 was raised as a result of the sale, thanks to the generosity of BVC staff and students.
In another initiative led by Vice-president of College Advancement Val Hoey, the BVC Fund Development department helped individuals allocate cash donations to the registered charity of their choice.
“It is tragic moments like these that allow human compassion and action to be displayed,” said Val. “I am proud that Bow Valley College faculty, staff and students are rallying to extend their compassion to Haiti.”
Alumni Relations Coordinator Colleen Bangs reached out to BVC Alumni for support by helping allocate donations to registered charities and encouraging them to join a discussion group about the Haiti relief efforts on the Alumni Relations Facebook fan page.
Through the bake sale, cash donations from staff and students, and the generosity from leaders like Sharon Carry and Conrad Murphy, the College raised $4,435.39 for registered charities, such as the Salvation Army Calgary, ShelterBox, and Canadian Red Cross. With matching funds from the federal government this total will become $8,870. Any funds directed to the Canadian Red Cross will also receive a dollar-for-dollar match from the Province of Alberta— this brings the College’s total fundraising efforts to over $10,000.
In a heartwarming individual request from BVC Systems Analyst and Haitian-Canadian Brice Cesaire, he asked the College community to consider donating to a specific philanthropic organization. The International School of Excellence and the First Haitian Christian Church of Abundant Life of Calgary have joined to play a lesser-known, but equally important role in the Haiti relief efforts.
“They have members who know the remote areas of Haiti,” said Brice. “They go there to provide the most needed help—they save lives.”
BVC Employees can still send cheques through inter-office mail to Karen Filbert. Donations will be collected until Friday, January 29.
For more information on the charities listed above, visit the links below:
For a complete list of registered charities in Canada, click here
