Corporate Donations to Crabtree Corner
In this blog, Susanne discusses how Classic LifeCare makes corporate donations to Crabtree Corner and encourages others to also participate.
When Classic LifeCare owner Susanne Sherwood turned 41, in lieu of a party, presents, and cake, she hauled her friends and family to YWCA Crabtree Corner to serve lunch to Vancouver’s most impoverished women and children.
Crabtree Corner is a YWCA Metro Vancouver program located in the downtown eastside. Almost 700 women and children access Crabtree every year for food, housing, education, support programs, and medical services.
Birthday Donation to a Worthy Cause
“My group of girlfriends used to pool some money and buy each other birthday presents,” says Susanne. “Around my 41st birthday, I sent an email to everyone asking for food or cash donations for Crabtree Corner. I got a great response.”
She heard about Crabtree Corner through a few friends who donate time and money there.
“I like that Crabtree benefits women and children. I’m fortunate that I don’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from or how I’m going to care for my children. I wanted to help women who do have to worry about those things.”
Corporate Donations Help Fund Crabtree Services
Michelle Sing is the Vice President of HR, Volunteer Services, Crabtree Community and Marketing/Communications for the YWCA.
“I thought I’d stay for a few years, but the YWCA is an amazing organization and I really believe in the work we do,” says Michelle.
“Crabtree Corner is a unique building because there are multiple services under one roof. There is housing, parenting programs, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder resources, food, child care and medical services.”
When women come in the door of Crabtree Corner, they know they can find non-judgmental help and have access to all other YWCA services.
“Corporate dollars are vitally, vitally important to the survival of Crabtree Corner. It costs approximately $2.2M/year to operate Crabtree. We need to raise about $1M annually and receive the remaining money from federal, provincial and municipal contributions.
Michelle says it’s gratifying to see some of the women who have moved on from Crabtree and built a stable life returning to volunteer, which creates a solid, supportive community.
While corporate donations are vital to Crabtree, every little bit helps. If individual employees want to donate $5/paycheque, that money goes a long way.
“It’s more than a feel good thing to do. You are making a difference in a person’s life.”
Classic LifeCare Leading the Way in Corporate Donations
Susanne’s experience inspired her to make Crabtree Corner a recipient of corporate donations from Classic LifeCare.
“What touched me when we volunteered was how many elderly immigrant women weren’t receiving support. They were lined up for help and were so grateful.”
Classic LifeCare also sends a few office staff every other month to fill lunch bags and hand them out at Crabtree.
Susanne considered a lot of organizations when deciding where Classic LifeCare would direct its support. Crabtree is local, small enough to feel like a donation makes an impact. It serves a great need for the women and children who access its services.
“Crabtree regularly updates us about how the donations are used.”
Resources:
To learn more about Crabtree Corner, visit: http://www.ywcavan.org/programs/crabtree-corner
To learn about YWCA Cause We Care House, the YWCA’s new housing community for low-income single mothers and their children, being built a few blocks from Crabtree, please visit: http://www.ywcavan.org/programs/affordable-housing/new-housing-initiatives
If you are interested in making a financial donation to Crabtree Corner or would like to arrange a tour, please contact Natasha Krotez at nkrotez@ywcavan.org or 604-895-5789.
If you want to donate to Crabtree Corner through Classic LifeCare, contact Natasa Mihajlovic at 604-263-3621.