S p e c i a l F e a t u r e
charity that receives about 12 per cent of
its operating budget from a partnership
with McDonald's Restaurants. One of its
challenges, says Pass, is that it is located
in Vancouver but serves people who live
outside the Lower Mainland. For them,
the stability and comfort the Ronald
McDonald House offers in a time of need
is crucial. "The worst possible thing has
happened to these families: their child is
seriously ill. And when they walk into the
kitchen and have a frank conversation
like, 'Hi, what's your name? What's your
kid got?,' and all of a sudden they're not in
it alone."
Canuck Place Children's Hospice has
also recently expanded, with the recent
opening of Canuck Place—Dave Lede
House in Abbotsford. This new facility
offers community services including
recreation therapy programs, counselling
services and support of specialized
outpatient clinical care nurses.
Since 2003, Canuck Place has seen
incredible growth of 121 per cent in the
number of children and families receiving
care. "We strive to provide the specialized
medical care needed by the province's most
medically challenged pediatric patients,"
says Margaret McNeil,
CEO of Canuck
Place Children's Hospice. "We cannot do it
without our donors, and one of the most
meaningful ways to support Canuck Place
is through planned gifts by individuals who
wish to leave a legacy of love for Canuck
Place children and families."
Meeting Emerging Needs
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
(FSGV)
has provided support for
individuals and families for more than
86 years. Last year, 13,000 people in the
Lower Mainland accessed a wide variety
of services, including a food security
program, clinical support for victims of
trauma or domestic violence, employment
programs, support for youth living on
the street, and social enterprises. While
many programs operate as contracts
with various governments, about ive per
cent of the organization's annual budget
comes from donations. These funds give
FSGV the ability to respond to emergency
situations and emerging needs. One of
