The recent Milk and Cookies for Canuck Place fundraiser, presented by BC Dairy, surpassed its $30,000 goal by raising $43,000.
Donations were collected from Feb. 2 to March 31.
A total of $31,000 was raised from the almost 200 milk-and-cookie combos sold at Abbotsford Canucks home games, as well as a matched donation from BC Dairy.
The other $12,000 was raised by donations on the Canuck Place website; through bakeries and shops that participated in Cookie Day; and at schools across the Lower Mainland that signed up for bake sales.
Among the top donations were $1,000 from The Pie Hole and $2,500 from CEFA elementary.
One prominent figure throughout the fundraiser was Stephanie Hill-Davie and her husband, third- and fourth-generation dairy farmers from Delta. Their family has had first-hand experience with Canuck Place after their son Owen was diagnosed with a single gene defect affecting multiple organs. He passed away on their program in 2022.
Not only has the Hill-Dave family spoken to the importance of the campaign, they also funded a pizza party for a classroom in the Lower Mainland that raised the most donations from their bake sales.
Casey Pruim, board chair for BC Dairy, said the organization is proud of the support from the community.
“BC Dairy is honoured to have the opportunity to match the donation total and provide support to such an essential service to our youth,” he said.
Canuck Place CEO Denise Praill thanked BC Dairy, the Abbotsford Canucks and the community “who all rallied to make a difference in support of Canuck Place children and families.”
Abbotsford Centre general manager Rick Comeau also thanked those who supported the campaign.
“This fantastic initiative with BC Dairy has allowed us to direct proceeds towards a deserving cause and assist children and families across B.C. and the Yukon who are facing unimaginable difficulties and challenges,” he said.
Canuck Place is B.C. and Yukon’s only pediatric palliative care provider, caring for 871 children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them.
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