August 21, 2018 (Vancouver, BC) – The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is delighted to announce we have given away just over a $1 million since our inception. This milestone comes only 12 years after our Foundation was formed by a small group of individuals in the hospitality sector to help their friend and colleague Michael Willingham. Since then we have provided financial assistance to almost 200 individuals facing financial crisis due to extraordinary medical circumstances. Our $1 million figure also includes money given as scholarships to students enrolled in qualifying educational programs.
We are so proud of our milestone. Over the years, we have supported hospitality workers from many areas of the province, including the interior (Kamloops, Kelowna) and Vancouver Island (Nanaimo, Victoria), as well as the lower mainland. Although the majority of our beneficiaries come from the restaurant, pub, and hotel sectors, we’ve also provided essential funds to people associated with breweries and wineries, as well as members of the media related to hospitality. Overall, approximately 25% of the money we’ve given out has been in the form of scholarships for students in programs related to the hospitality industry. In 2018 alone we awarded 21 scholarships for a total amount of $34,000.
While we’re celebrating the accomplishment of having given out our first million, our attention is focused on meeting future needs. Some of the ways you or your business can support us include:
- DONATING to the BC Hospitality Foundation (one time or monthly donations)
- Signing up for our quarterly NEWSLETTER
- VOLUNTEERING with us
- Viewing our EVENTS page
As well, we want to express our profound thanks to all our industry partners, whose support has been crucial in helping us reach this significant milestone:
Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC)
BC Craft Breweries Guild
British Columbia Hotel Association
British Columbia Restaurant & Food Services Association (BCRFA)
Hotel Association of Vancouver
Hotel Association of Greater Victoria
Import Vintners & Spirits Association (IVSA)
Okanagan Wine Festivals
Restaurants Canada
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
Tourism Vancouver
Tourism Victoria
Wines of British Columbia