November 22, 2013

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Friday, November 22, 2013

Richmond Review · Page W1

Please Support Tourism Richmond’s

Day of Giving

R

Dine or shop at any of our participating partners on November 28th and they’ll donate a portion of all proceeds to the Richmond Christmas Fund, which supports Richmond families in need during the holiday season.

DRIVE THRU EVENT THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2013 | 6:00AM - 10:30AM LANSDOWNE CENTRE (In the Parking Lot Next to the Canada Line Station)

Come down to Lansdowne Centre and help the kids. QM/FM will be broadcasting live on site. In exchange for a donation to the Christmas Fund toys or cash, take your pick - we'll provide you with a scrumptious McDonald's muffin and a piping hot cup of Van Houtte Coffee.

Tourism Richmond chmond will then match all proceeds donated as part of Tourism Richmond’s Day of Giving.*

Visit dayofgiving.ca for more information and for a complete listing of participating partners.

Give Back Every Buck to the community with

Visit any one of our participating members on November 28th to support the Richmond Christmas Fund. See the back of this paper for details or visit dayofgiving.ca.

*Tourism Richmond will match proceeds up to a maximum of $5,000.

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Friday, November 22, 2013

Richmond Review · Page W3

2013 RICHMOND CHRISTMAS FUND ROUNDTABLE

CHAMBER LUNCHEON ENJOYS SPECIAL PLACE ON CHRISTMAS FUND CALENDAR

WAYNE DUZITA | AEROTERM MANAGEMENT INC.

DAVID COONS | VARIETY – THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY

As Community Chair of the Richmond Christmas Fund, Wayne is the organizer and leader of the Roundtable. He’s also a Christmas Fund supporter himself, donating $5,000 annually through YVR for Kids, which he co-founded.

David’s fundraising expertise has proved invaluable to the Christmas Fund.

The Richmond Christmas Fund events calendar gets busier every year. The Drive-Thru Event was added in 2011; in 2012, it was the Christmas Fund Dine & Dance; and this year, Steveston Beer Fest joined the mix. These annual events, along with long-time favourites like the Richmond Auto Mall’s Windows of Hope and Christmas in Steveston Village, speak to the community’s ever growing support for the Christmas Fund.

MEMBERS AND ACTIVITIES

BRONWYN BAILEY | LANSDOWNE CENTRE On November 28, Lansdowne Centre will host the 3rd Annual Richmond Christmas Fund Drive-Thru Event, and will be matching all cash donations up to $5,000. Lansdowne also donates proceeds from its food court recycling program to the Christmas Fund, and, throughout December, will have a gift wrap booth set up in the mall, with proceeds again going to the Christmas Fund.

CHRISTINE BRODIE | LIFELONG LEARNING Christine has played an integral role in raising the Christmas Fund’s community profile, with an emphasis creating greater awareness about the Drive-Thru Event among Kwantlen students. Christine is also working with Wayne Duzita to increase the dollar amount of the food vouchers distributed by the Christmas Fund, so families who register with the program will be able to purchase more groceries.

GRANT BRYAN | O’HARE’S GASTROPUB AND LIQUOR STORE

WILLIAM DENNILL | OPACITY DESIGN GROUP

Christine will be providing McDonald’s muffins for the November 28 Drive-Thru Event. They’ll be given out to anyone who makes a donation to the Christmas Fund. As well, Christine will help promote the event by distributing upwards of 3000 postcards at her McDonald’s drive-thru locations.

MICHAEL CHIU | MAR-CON WIRE BELT INC. As a past president and long-time board member of Volunteer Richmond, Michael has been involved in countless Christmas Fund fundraising activities over the years, and regularly provides support at Christmas Fund events. He also makes an annual cash donation to the program and, through the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset, helps to organize the Winter Wonderland Festival, of which the Christmas Fund is a beneficiary.

BONNIE CHU | MAPLE FREIGHT PARTNERSHIP In early November, Maple Freight Partnership made a $2,000 donation to the Christmas Fund.

GARY COHEN | COHEN BUCHAN EDWARDS LLP This year, Gary Cohen is rallying support for the Christmas Fund among local law firms, encouraging them to each make a donation to the program. He also helped organize a sold out Lawyers Dinner, held November 21 at the River Rock, which, when the final numbers are in, is expected to have raised over $10,000 for the Christmas Fund.

MARY KEMMIS | THE RICHMOND REVIEW

In addition to publishing Christmas Fund stories and photos throughout the year, The Richmond Opacity Design Group, who created the Christmas Fund logo, has designed and donated Review donates significant free advertising space to the program. An interesting fact: Ethel a special carrying bag for parents to use when Tibbits started the Christmas Fund in 1932, when they select toys from the Toy Room. This year, Opacity will also sponsor a Christmas Fund family. she was editor and publisher of The Review.

GARY ENG | SUMMIT CUSTOMS BROKERS On December 13, Gary Eng and Summit Customs Brokers will host a Christmas Dine & Dance at Continental Seafood Restaurant, with all proceeds from the event going to the Christmas Fund. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased by calling 604-278-3551.

MIKE GILMAN | SMARTCENTRES SmartCentres donated $2,500 to the Christmas Fund at the beginning of November.

TONY GUGLIOTTA | VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY

JOEY KWAN | ABERDEEN CENTRE In 2013, Aberdeen Centre will sponsor multiple Christmas Fund families.

SYLVIA GWOZD | RICHMOND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

SUE HALABI | RIVERSIDE BANQUET HALLS

DANNY LEUNG | FAIRCHILD DEVELOPMENTS This year, Danny Leung will be making a cash donation to the Christmas Fund.

MAN SING LIU | TRANSPACIFIC CUSTOMS BROKER Man Sing Liu has supported the Christmas Fund through cash donations and, this year, will be sponsoring a family.

MARIE PIPERNI | SUTTON GROUP – SEAFAIR REALTY In 2012, Sutton Group – Seafair Realty donated $5,000 to the Christmas Fund, and will participate in the Realtor Challenge again this year.

LAWRIE PORTIGAL | VOLUNTEER RICHMOND

DEB ROBSON | RE/MAX WESTCOAST Last year, Deb Robson helped organize the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver’s Christmas Lunch, which raised $2,900 for the Christmas Fund.

BRUCE ROZENHART | COUNTERPOINT COMMUNICATIONS

LEE HOWARTH | TD WATERHOUSE

Dorset Realty has been a Christmas Fund supporter for many years, with nearly $5,000 in total donations. They’ll be donating again in 2013.

BRYAN JOHNSTONE | RIVERSIDE MORTGAGE GROUP Bryan Johnstone has helped raise the Christmas Fund’s community profile and, this year, will be supporting the program through donations from a special “Pictures with Santa” day.

CRAIG JONES | RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Richmond Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas Fund Lunch on December 12, and is also a major supporter of the Christmas Fund Drive-Thru Event, providing both promotion and volunteers. Over the years, the Chamber has raised in excess of $40,000 for the Christmas Fund.

In 2013, Tammy will be sponsoring a Christmas Fund family.

KUSH PANATCH | CENTRO PROPERTIES GROUP

ERIC SCHROTER | CAMPBELL FROSH MAY & RICE LLP Eric Schroter organized a Lawyers Dinner, held November 21 at River Rock, with all proceeds going to the Christmas Fund. The total amount raised isn’t yet known, but it’s expected to be over $10,000.

RON SCHUSS | DORSET REALTY GROUP CANADA

DAVE SEMPLE | CITY OF RICHMOND

Kush Panatch and Centro Properties Group will be Many Christmas Fund events – the Drive-Thru, sponsoring a family through the Christmas Fund. for example – wouldn’t be possible without logistical support from the City of Richmond.

JANICE PERRY | RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS

This year, Janice and her office will support a Christmas Fund family.

DON PFEFFER | FARMGATE WINE SALES Don played a key role in the success of the Steveston Beer Fest, a Christmas Fund fundraiser held October 5 at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, and has supplied wine for many of this year’s Christmas Fund events.

Patrick Stewart is the publisher of SkyTalk, the community newspaper of YVR Airport and Sea Island. He provides coverage of the Christmas Fund, and also donates free advertising space to the program.

GAIL TERRY | RICHMOND AUTO MALL ASSOCIATION The Richmond Auto Mall organizes one of the longest-running and most successful Christmas Fund events: Windows of Hope. Last year alone it raised $24,000. This year’s event will take place November 26.

ROB THOMSON | TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY This year, Trinity Western University will be sponsoring a Christmas Fund family.

MARIA VALLEY | RICHMOND CENTRE Each year, throughout December, Richmond

Peter Raju supports the Christmas Fund through proceeds going to the Christmas Fund. This year’s booth will open early, on November 29, as a cash donation. part of a special “Black Friday” promotion.

Bruce Rozenhart, also a past Volunteer Richmond president and current board member, has been extremely influential in getting community and business leaders to support the Christmas Fund.

Lee Howarth is a significant Christmas Fund supporter, raising over $5,000 in donations from the financial community.

PATRICK STEWART | WESTCO MARKETING

PETER RAJU | CANADIAN DUTY FREE INC. Centre sets up a gift wrap booth, with all

Each year, Riverside Banquet Halls hosts the Victor Ghirra Toy Drive, which, since 2007, has PATTI MARTIN | PATTI MARTIN REAL collected nearly 10,000 toys for the Richmond Christmas Fund and other charities. Riverside also ESTATE CORP. Since 2011, Patti Martin has led the Richmond makes a cash donation to the Christmas Fund. Christmas Fund Realtor Challenge, in which ROB HOWARD | NCL MANAGEMENT she urges her colleagues to donate to the Rob Howard has been instrumental in Christmas Fund. To date, Richmond Realtors raising awareness about the Christmas Fund have contributed over $25,000. throughout the community. This year, Rob HARRY MINCCI | DAMINCCI donated $1,500 to the program from his JEWELLERS Community Appreciation Lunch, held last month at the Sheraton Hotel. The Howard family DaMincci Jewellers supported the Christmas will also be sponsoring a family through the Fund by participating in last year’s Day of Giving. Christmas Fund.

TAMMY MORIN-NAKASHIMA | RICHMOND NOTARY

ELIZABETH SPECHT | VOLUNTEER RICHMOND

On top of donating to the Christmas Fund, David As executive director of Volunteer Richmond for over a decade, Elizabeth has helped grow Pfortmueller and University Sprinklers provide the Christmas Fund into a program that enjoys support for the Drive-Thru Event. far-reaching community support.

A former Volunteer Richmond president and current board member, Lawrie Portigal has TRACY LAKEMAN | TOURISM done much to ensure that the Christmas Fund RICHMOND remains a sustainable program, able to assist Tourism Richmond’s Day of Giving will take place families year after year. on November 28, and will see participating Tourism Richmond members – both restaurants THE PROVINCE EMPTY STOCKING FUND and hotels – donating a portion of their day’s The Province Empty Stocking Fund raises money sales to the Christmas Fund. Tourism Richmond for over two dozen organizations and programs will be matching donations up to $5,000. For that offer assistance to the less fortunate during more information, visit www.dayofgiving.ca. the holidays. The Richmond Christmas Fund is a long-time beneficiary, this year receiving PAUL LERMITTE | ASSANTE $11,300.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT This year, the Vancouver Airport Authority will sponsor several families through the Christmas Fund. Paul Lermitte contributes to the Christmas Fund through personal donations.

Over the years, the Richmond Community Grant and his wife, Erinn, organized the first ever Foundation has donated nearly $20,000 to the Steveston Beer Fest, which raised $13,500 for the Christmas Fund, and manages the program’s endowment fund. This year the Foundation will Christmas Fund. donate another $2,500.

CHRISTINE CAMPBELL | MCDONALD’S

PAMELA KEITH | DUECK AUTO GROUP DAVID PFORTMUELLER | UNIVERSITY SPRINKLERS

Dueck Auto Group donates cash to the Christmas Fund.

ROGER SHEUNG | GREAT EVENTS RENTALS For this year’s Drive-Thru Event, Great Events Rentals donated a 20’ x 20’ tent, ensuring that both donors and volunteers will stay dry if it rains. Plus, it’ll be a great visual.

QUENTIN SMITH | PACIFIC COASTAL AIRLINES Pacific Coastal Airlines has been donating to the Christmas Fund for a number of years, and will do so again in 2013.

STEVE VEINOT | SHERATON VANCOUVER AIRPORT HOTEL The Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel hosts the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Fund Lunch, happening this year on December 12. In 2013, the Sheraton will also be sponsoring a family.

DANA WESTERMARK | ORIS CONSULTING This year, Dana Westermark will be supporting multiple Christmas Fund families.

LLOYD WHITTALL | AIR NORTH To encourage donations for the 2013 Richmond Christmas Fund Realtor Challenge, Lloyd Whittall and Air North will be awarding a free trip to White Horse to a participating Realtor. In addition, Air North will be sponsoring a Christmas Fund family.

BRIAN WILLIAMS | ASHTON SERVICE GROUP Brian Williams and Ashton Service Group are major supporters of the Christmas Fund. From cash donations totalling over $20,000, to the donation of a new HHR van painted with the Christmas Fund bear and used at special events, Ashton's contributions cannot be overstated. Perhaps most memorably, Ashton painted its entire fleet of 30 service vehicles with the Christmas Fund bear, so that whenever you saw an Ashton truck, you'd think of the Christmas Fund. This year, Ashton will once again have volunteers at both the Windows of Hope and Drive-Thru events, in addition to their financial support.

JANA YACKEL | RIVER ROCK CASINO RESORT River Rock Casino made a substantial donation to the Christmas Fund in 2012. This year, in addition to donating again, River Rock will be bringing a team of 14 volunteers to the Drive-Thru Event. As well, River Rock hosted and donated a prize package to the Richmond Lawyers Dinner, a Christmas Fund fundraising event held November 21.

But while the calendar has gotten busier, one event has, since 1980, maintained a rather noteworthy position. For over 30 years, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas

Luncheon has served as the unofficial conclusion to the Christmas Fund season, and as an ideal occasion to celebrate the year’s fundraising successes. One of those successes is always the lunch itself, which, over the years, has raised approximately $50,000 for the Christmas Fund. “Our Christmas Luncheon is one of our longest running annual Chamber events and we are very proud of the money we have raised for the Richmond Christmas Fund over the last few decades,” says Brian Williams, Chair of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

supporters are invited to talk about their fundraising initiatives, and often take the opportunity to announce the total amount they raised. Some even come prepared with oversized cheques to present to the Christmas Fund. “It’s a special event because it brings together so many Christmas Fund supporters,” says Elizabeth Specht, Executive Director of Volunteer Richmond Information Services. “And it’s special because it’s organized by the Chamber, one of our closest partners. We can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done for the Christmas Fund.” And though the Christmas Fund is a major focus of the Luncheon,

At the event, Christmas Fund

it isn’t the only focus. The Chamber is known for its business networking events, and this is among the biggest. “Not only is our Annual Christmas Luncheon a great opportunity to raise money for a great cause, but it is one of the best networking opportunities of the year in Richmond, attended by countless local business leaders,” says Williams. This year’s event will take place December 12 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel. In addition to lunch, there’ll be entertainment and a raffle draw. Tickets are $40 plus tax, and can be purchased online at www. richmondchamber.ca.

Christmas Fund supporters at the 2012 Richmond Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Luncheon. This year’s event will be held December 12 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel.

SPONSOR A FA FAMILY THROUGH THE RICHMOND CHRISTMAS FUND This holiday season, the Richmond Christmas Fund is hoping you’ll make room on your shopping list for a family you’ve never met, but for whom you could make a world of difference. Through the Christmas Fund’s family sponsorship program, individuals and groups – businesses, sports teams, schools, churches – can put together a custom holiday hamper and deliver it personally to a selected low-income family. “Of the many ways to support the Christmas Fund, family sponsorship is unique, because you see the impact of your donation firsthand,” says Elizabeth

Specht, Executive Director of Volunteer Richmond Information Services. “You arrive at a family’s doorstep with this basket full of food and gifts, and you just know it’s something they’ll remember forever. Hopefully, you will too.” To be eligible for sponsorship, a family must first register with the Christmas Fund. At that point, they can request to be matched with a sponsor. If one is available, the family is asked to fill out a wish list, with food and gifts totaling approximately $100 per family member. The Christmas Fund then forwards the list to the sponsor so they can begin shopping. “When you sign up, you can indicate the size of the family you’d like to sponsor, or

if you can sponsor multiple families,” says Specht. “And it doesn’t even have to be a family. You could sponsor a single senior or single adult – people who might be spending Christmas alone. It really means a lot to them just to see that there’s somebody out there who cares.” This year, Christmas Fund registration takes place from November 30 to December 14. Sponsors can expect to be matched with families any time between those two dates. For more information on becoming a sponsor, call 604-279-7035 or visit www. volunteerrichmond.ca, where you can also download a sponsor application form and guidelines. The final day to sign up is Friday, November 29.

The Richmond Christmas Fund mobilizes the community’s spirit of giving to make holiday wishes come true for 2,000 lowincome Richmond residents each year. Each person registered with the program receives a grocery voucher, and nearly 1,000 children under 15 years old also receive toys or gift cards donated to the program. Volunteer Richmond Information Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to enhancing the lives of Richmond residents by bringing people and services together through community information and volunteerism. Learn more at www.volunteerrichmond.ca.

CHRISTMAS FUND DRIVE-THRU EVENT REVS UP FOR RETURN C HRISTMAS FU URN The 3rd Annual Richmond Christmas Fund Drive-Thru Event will take place at Lansdowne Centre on Thursday, November 28, from 6:00am – 10:30am. Volunteers will be collecting donations – both cash and toys – in the parking lot next to the Canada Line station. Anyone who makes a donation will receive a McDonald’s muffin and Van Houtte coffee in return. “Last year, we raised $7,600 for the Christmas Fund,” says Elizabeth Specht, Executive Director of Volunteer Richmond Information Services. “And the toys – they just kept coming and coming. We nearly managed to fill an entire PODS container. The community support was just amazing.” This year, the goal is to raise over $10,000, and collect enough toys to fill at least one, and perhaps even two PODS containers. “We feel that this event still has room to grow,” says Specht. “Each year, we want it to get a little bit bigger, to have more people come out. If you want to support the Christmas Fund, the Drive-Thru Event is a great way to do it.”

As host of the event, Lansdowne will be matching all cash donations up to $5,000.

events, is available at www.volunteerrichmond.ca.

Whether you drive to work, take public transit, bike, or walk, you’re welcome to participate. And it’s not just those on their way to work: one group organizers are hoping to attract is Kwantlen students.

The Richmond Christmas Fund mobilizes the community’s spirit of giving to make holiday wishes come true for 2,000 low-income Richmond residents each year. Each person registered with the program receives a grocery voucher, and nearly 1,000 children under 15 years old also receive toys or gift cards donated to the program. Volunteer Richmond Information Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to enhancing the lives of Richmond residents by bringing people and services together through community information and volunteerism. Learn more at www.volunteerrichmond.ca.

“So many Kwantlen students take the Canada Line, so they’ll be passing right by our volunteers,” says Specht. “Our message to them is that a donation of any size makes a difference, and we truly appreciate it. And of course, they’ll also get to grab a quick breakfast treat before class.” In addition to Lansdowne, McDonald’s, and Van Houtte, event partners include PODS Moving & Storage, Ashton Service Group, the City of Richmond, the Richmond Review, Great Events Vancouver, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and 103.5 QM/FM, who will be broadcasting live from the event. More information on how you can support the Richmond Christmas Fund, including a complete listing of upcoming