Drum roll please…2024’s Philanthropy in Action Award Winners

Big congratulations to this year’s ACF Philanthropy in Action Award winners, nominated by local charities, for their giving through volunteerism and monetary donations. Thanks to our sponsors including Vancity, Archway, UFV, and 2 local families, we were able to present 4 awards to…

Columbia Cabinets – nominated by Bakerview Music Academy

Columbia Kitchen Cabinets has supported Bakerview Music Academy in a significant way, every year since 2013, including during the 2020-21 season through Covid restrictions. Their support has been critical in covering core expenses that grants won’t cover such as paying professional musicians who are integral in running a program of this calibre. This local business also supports many other non profit organizations including the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra and Symphony in the Park, enriching our local community with arts experiences and giving young musicians the opportunity to thrive.

DME Investments – nominated by Archway Community Services

DME Investments has been a caring company that is highly active and visible in Abbotsford. In addition to their support of Ronald McDonald House, they consistently invest in our local community in organizations such as Archway, Canuck Place, Communitas, Abbotsford Police Foundation, YWCA, and Fraser Valley Child Development Centre. They contract with social enterprises where they can to magnify impact and support inclusive hiring practices. They also bring a volunteer workforce to countless events such as Abbotsford Airshow’s KidZone, Movie in the Park, Canada Day, Berry Fest, Winter Jubilee, dry grads, local sports events, and so much more.

Monica Unger – nominated by Care for Women

Monica has been providing emotional, physical, and tangible support to new moms since 2019. The moms she works with lack critical support networks, and they often feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected. Monica is that support network for new moms in the first 4 weeks postpartum. She provides a listening ear, holds baby so new moms can take a shower, does laundry or helps with other children in the home, and connects her new moms with services and supports. Over the past 5 years of her volunteerism with Care for Women, she has supported 15 mothers with compassionate and caring mentorship. She also currently volunteers with Abbotsford Hospice and Grief Support Society and contributes to 100 Women Who Care. And over the years, she has volunteered with many other organizations.

Sevenoaks Alliance Church – nominated by Archway

Sevenoaks Alliance Church has consistently shown an unwavering support to enhancing the lives of our community members. They take a collaborative approach and work with many organizations to support the needs of some of Abbotsford’s most vulnerable. Their congregation is amazingly supportive and they have chosen to open their kitchen and facilities for so many local initiatives including: – Talia’s Closet: enabling grads who may not be able to otherwise afford to attend their Grad – Multicultural Food Sharing Event to promote unity and celebrate diversity in our community – Food Bank Satellite: acts as a site for food bank clients to access food within their neighbourhood – Connect event: bringing together essential services and care for the unhoused and those facing financial insecurity.

If you’re a non profit or charitable organization in Abbotsford and would like to nominate a philanthropist in our midst, nominations up each August. You can learn more here.