Fundraising

Financial donations from the community ensure that MRAA can continue supporting seniors by providing membership bursaries and discounted pricing on special events and outings. Your donation makes a difference in the lives of low-income seniors in the community by providing affordable participation opportunities. MRAA gratefully accepts financial donations and provides tax receipts. 100% of donated funds benefit seniors. MRAA is a unique volunteer based not for profit. There are no paid staff or Board Members.

MRAA Fundraising

Many of our members look forward to the annual events such as Robbie Burns Night, the Thanksgiving Luncheon, or the Members’ Christmas Dinner. They also look forward to the two fundraisers held each year, the October Bazaar and the February Rummage Sale. These two sales are the primary income earners for our Association. They are also the most chaotic, intense and fun-filled days on the MRAA calendar. And they are the most crucial, because the amount we earn on those two days decides how we can support our members. Every dollar earned from these sales is used for the benefit of our members, both directly and indirectly. For example, MRAA has a tradition of reaching out to volunteers in times of stress or celebration. Whether a volunteer is undergoing medical treatment or reaching a milestone birthday, MRAA will reach out with flowers and a card of support, all funded by money earned at the annual sales. Since these sales are staffed by MRAA members, it’s only fitting that some of the funds are used directly for them. The money raised is used to subsidize dinners and outings for MRAA members, and a yearly appreciation lunch for Club Reps and Committee members. Complimentary refreshments for volunteers when they are working their shift and a annual subsidy to the Fern Café kitchen to offset the rising cost of groceries also comes from the funds to help keep the menu prices at a reasonable level.

Some of the money raised from past sales has been used to update the furnishings and equipment at the Centre. The Monterey Centre has been the MRAA’s home since the Association’s inception on January 17, 1980 (as the Oak Bay Seniors Activity Association). Since that time, the Association has believed that any improvement to the Centre has an impact on our members. After all, it is our home! Recent purchases for the Centre have included a smart TV for the lobby, a projector system for the Garry Oak Room, glassware for the Fern Café, a food processor for the kitchen, card tables for the classrooms, folding chairs, a Nespresso machine for Coffee Express and the installation of a fireplace for the lobby. These purchases help our members by ensuring that the Centre will continue to provide services to them in a pleasant, warm, and welcoming environment. While MRAA works hard to better the memberships at the Centre, we also know that we are part of a larger community. Many of us have retired from the work force, but we are still active participants in the community as voters, taxpayers and stakeholders. We care about what happens in our neighbourhood, in our city and in our province. In the last few years, MRAA has participated in community events such as the Oak Bay Tea Party and the Canada Day celebrations at Oak Bay City Hall. We have also donated to the Mayor’s Legacy Fund, and for several years have been a participating sponsor at the Young Exceptional Stars Gala. We do this because we know that to live in a supportive community, you must actively support that community. As the Centre slowly reopens, MRAA will continue to support the Monterey Centre, our clubs, the community and our members. We welcome you to visit us and learn more about what we do. We are always open to making new friends.