Courage canuckplace.org
Builders Donor Newsletter
In this Issue Nothing Greater Than Love....2 Your Gifts at Work......................2 A Good-Bye & Welcome........2 A Community That Cares......3 Corporate Corner .....................3 Jim Robson’s Gift.......................4 A Beautiful Gift............................4
1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 2T2 Tel: 604.731.4847 Toll-Free: 1.877.882.2288 E-mail: info@canuckplace.org
A Message from the CEO: A Legacy of Care The concept of a ‘legacy’ is profound. It’s something we give or do that lives long after we do. Each child we care for at Canuck Place leaves a legacy of love in our hearts. Recently a wonderful woman named June Butler left Margaret McNeil Canuck Place a legacy in her will, which will help our children and families for years to
come. Her kindness has inspired me to leave a gift in my own will. I am constantly moved by a community that continues to give so generously to our kids. That includes you. Through your support of Canuck Place, your legacy is already one of compassion and care. Thank you. Margaret McNeil, Chief Executive Officer
“Canuck Place Allows us to Be Parents” Melanie and Reynaldo Hernandez were blessed with the birth of twins in 2008. Tragically, their baby girl Alyssa passed away soon after she was born. Their little son, Mason, survived, but had a brain stem abnormality and Moebius syndrome, an extremely rare congenital neurological disorder. Originally given only two years to live, Mason is now five years old. He needs full-time care, and is delayed in all aspects of his development. But as his parents say, “He is here, and we’re so grateful.” Melanie and Reynaldo had heard of Canuck Place, but only knew of our end-of-life care. When they were referred here for respite, it was an immense help. Mason loves the Snoezelen Room, our multi-sensory room that stimulates or calms through sights, sounds and textures. He enjoys going for walks in the garden, arts and crafts, and activities like trips to the water park. And Canuck Place volunteers love playing with Mason’s little brother, Perry, giving Melanie precious one-on-one time with Mason.
But Reynaldo says that the most important gift they have had at Canuck Place is the chance to be a family. The chance to forget about illness, even for just a little while. “Canuck Place has let Mason just be a kid, instead of a kid with special needs,” says Reynaldo. “As a father I often think, ‘Am I doing enough?’ Canuck Place has given us that. It’s allowed us to be parents and to be a family.”
A Peek Inside Canuck Place Come inside our doors, and meet some of the people and spaces that make it so very special here.
Kerry Keats – Nothing Greater in Life Than Love For Kerry Keats, working with children and families at Canuck Place has given her the privilege of witnessing love in its purest form. Kerry is our Bereavement Service Coordinator, and a member of the Clinical Counselling Team. She is there to provide support for parents and siblings to help them express how they feel and provide understanding and comfort. “I support families who, in the face of the worst possible loss, come to a place where there is nothing greater in life than love. Witnessing this raw beauty is as humbling as it is painful – something which words often don’t describe.” Kerry has another job too, which makes her extra popular with our children. She is one of the handlers
of all-time favourite Canuck Place employee, Poppy, the therapeutic companion in our Animal-Assisted Therapy program.
Poppy, is a 7-year-old female Golden Retriever who has become an important part of the Canuck Place team. She fills many roles from being a caring friend for our children and families to accompanying them in outings and counselling sessions. She is available for quality one-on-one time but most importantly for cuddles and petting. Whether it’s the human or the canine type, the magic at Canuck Place proves true the words from Philip Larkin’s beautiful poem: “What will survive of us is love.”
Your Gifts at Work RN
AVERAGE OF 6 KIDS PER DAY
AVERAGE OF 8 FAMILY MEMBERS PER DAY
Kerry Keats with Poppy
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FAMILY/SIBLING OVERNIGHT HOSPICE STAYS IN 2012–13
FT/PT EQUIVALENT PEDIATRIC, PALLIATIVE CARE NURSES
A Good-bye, A Thank-you, And A Warm Welcome Our sincere thanks to John Rose (left), who recently retired from his role as our Board Chair. In six years John saw exciting growth in many of the Canuck Place programs. John leads by example. Through personal donations, corporate and employee support, John has contributed more than $500,000 to CPCH. Thank you John! We are thrilled to announce that John Nicola (right) will be our new Chair. John and Claire Nicola along with Nicola Wealth Management generously sponsored a match program last year and has renewed his commitment again this year. We know he will lead us into a bright future. Welcome! 2
Canuck Place Courage Builders
A Community That Cares Thank you! Young Artist, Big Heart Monsters, rainbow fish, robots and moustaches. Not your typical art gallery pieces. But these works of art were made with love. Six-year-old Carter Holek from Chilliwack is a young artist with a big heart. He’s created a whole gallery of bright and beautiful crayon drawings, which he’s selling to raise money for Canuck Place. Although Carter will accept any donation for his drawings, one enthusiastic art buyer paid Carter $200 for the artistic masterpiece. In March, Carter and his parents came to visit – and dropped off a cheque for $4,000! Our sincere thanks to this budding artist, whose heart is as bright and beautiful as his drawings. Thank you, Carter, for using your creative talents to help children and families. We love your generosity, and your imagination! If you would like to learn more about our Kids for Kids program, please contact Kim Antifaeff at Kim.Antifaeff@canuckplace.org.
Corporate Community Corner A long-time supporter, RBC has been enthusiastically supporting Canuck Place since 2001. Their generosity has funded many important recreation therapy programs, like Family Camps and Summer in the City programs. These programs are so important for giving Canuck Place kids those “real-kid” experiences that they would never have without us. Employees of RBC have been generous supporters, too. The staff of RBC Dominion Securities in Abbotsford have run countless events such as golf tournaments to raise money for Canuck Place. RBC also hosted a Taste of the Valley Gala and have given privately through employee giving. Thank you, RBC, for your ongoing commitment to the children and families of B.C. Whatever way you can help, and no matter the amount you choose to give, it will make a huge difference. Contact Jennifer Polci at Jennifer.Polci@ canuckplace.org for more details.
Canuck Place Donor Dave Lede Honoured Congratulations to one of our most generous supporters, Dave Lede, on his induction into the Business Laureates of B.C. Hall of Fame. Not only is Dave Lede a visionary business leader, he is a true philanthropist, funding numerous care facilities for children throughout Western Canada. Mr. Lede, through his Dave Lede Family Foundation, was instrumental in the founding of our hospice in Abbotsford (named the Dave Lede House) and in bringing to reality our vision of care for children in Fraser Valley and across BC. Canuck Place Courage Builders
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Because of you Jim Robson’s Gift If you’re a hockey fan, you are probably intimately acquainted with the name Jim Robson, and the words “Good evening, hockey fans, and welcome to this National Hockey League game ….” For over 47 years, Jim called the action for more than 2,000 NHL games on radio and TV. He is remembered best in B.C. for broadcasting Canucks games on CKNW for decades. Jim will forever leave a legacy as “the voice of hockey.” But he also wants to leave a legacy of compassion, and care for children in need. One of the ways he
has decided to care for the children of B.C. is to leave a bequest in his will to Canuck Place. Jim has supported Canuck Place from the very beginning, with a special place in his heart for our kids. “It’s a place close to home, where you can see the results of your support,” he says. “If there is anything left in the pot, why not put it to good use?” Thank you, Jim, for your unfailing support. And for 47 years of great hockey memories, too!
A Beautiful Gift We are extremely honoured to recognize June Adeline Butler, a friend to children and a kind supporter of Canuck Place. June has left a significant bequest to Canuck Place in her will, which will care for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families for years into the future. June’s passions included reading, giving books to others (especially children) and listening to Jim Robson
June’s thoughtful gift will ensure that Canuck Place can continue to support the children and families who need us, in Vancouver and around the province. We offer our heartfelt thanks and utmost gratitude to June Butler and her family. We can’t think of a better gift to leave the world than to care for the children and families of the future.
Canuck Place Adventure Race | September 7, 2014 www.canuckplaceadventurerace.ca Join us and kayak, bike and run for Canuck Place kids and families!
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Gift of Time Gala | September 27, 2014 Visit www.thegiftoftime.org to buy your tickets today and savour life with a fabulous evening of dining, live entertainment and auctions. Gift of Love Gala | February 7, 2015 Mark your calendars. Celebrate love in support of Canuck Place at our inaugural Fraser Valley Gala. Canuck Place Courage Builders
that making a monthly donation is a wonderful way to support Canuck Place? Just a few pennies a day makes a big difference. You can become a monthly donor at www.canuckplace.org or by calling 604.731.4847.
broadcast Vancouver Canucks games on the radio.
Upcoming Events
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Did you know
Leaving a bequest in your will after you have taken care of your family, is a wonderful way to support Canuck Place. If you are interested in leaving a legacy gift in your will, please contact Denise Praill at Denise.Praill@canuckplace.org
or at (604) 646-1341.