The 12th annual Windows of Hope fundraiser recently made things brighter for the Richmond Christmas Fund while adding some seasonal cheer for customers and workers at the Richmond Auto Mall.
The event raised an all-time high of $31,795 through sponsorships and other fundraising initiatives as volunteers used paint and brushes to transform 23 windows in dealerships and businesses into “holiday masterpieces.”
“The overwhelming support of the event from the community is heart warming,” said Gail Terry, the auto mall’s general manager, who helped present the cheque at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Christmas Luncheon on Dec. 10. “It’s the real spirit of Christmas. More than 275 volunteers and close to 90 sponsors came together to make it happen.”
Last year, the event set a fundraising goal of $30,000 to help celebrate the auto mall’s 30th anniversary, Terry said, adding the hope was to surpass it this time around.
“And we did,” she said, holding up a giant cheque for $30,000 and laughing as she attached an overlay for an additional $1,794 made possible by two last minute sponsors.
Windows of Hope 2015 launched Nov. 24 when crews organized by Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (formerly Volunteer Richmond) helped transform the mall into a brilliant holiday destination.
More than 250 “volunteer elves” worked their magic while being serenaded by the Langley First Capital Barbershop Chorus quartet and the 609 Steveston Royal Canadian Air Cadets Band.
There to keep an eye on the proceedings and offer support was the auto mall’s celebrity mascot, Bumper Bear.
Windows of Hope is traditionally the Richmond Christmas Fund’s largest contributor, thanks to supporters such as Concord Security, Fairmont Vancouver Airport, 4Refuel, HUB International Insurance Brokers, Jack FM, Kasian Architecture, McDonald’s, News 1130, Pound & Grain, RiverRock Casino, Scotiabank and Starbucks.
The Richmond Christmas Fund provides a grocery gift certificate for each family member, children 12 and under also receive gifts chosen from a toy room and teens 13 to 17 gift cards. A record number of families is expected to take advantage of the community’s generosity, far surpassing last year’s 2,000 participants.
Windows of Hope, which has now raised well over $180,000 since its inception, isn’t the only auto mall holiday project. It has also been a longtime, leading contributor to the Richmond Food Bank. Donations since 1990, the year their support started with the donation of a cargo van, are well in excess of $100,000 in funding and more than 100,000 food items.
This year’s campaign will wrap up Dec. 21. Donations can be made to the Christmas Fund by visiting the Richmond Auto Mall’s Windows of Hope blog page or by going directly to the Christmas Fund webpage (christmasfund.volunteerrichmond.ca).
