Upholding a tradition of giving has been at the heart of giving back to the community for Richmond residents, Balbir and Rajvinder Hayer. "My father was always saying rather than spending money on entertainment and throwing parties or other things, put it towards good causes," says Balbir. "He always did, and we try to do the same," he says.
As longtime donors to Richmond Hospital Foundation-nearly two decades-the Hayers followed that example early on and today they take novel approaches to saving and making donations. "We don't take vacations every year like other people," says Rajvinder. smiling. Instead, each year, they set aside a portion of their savings for annual vacations and donate it to charity. "We've been doing that for years now," she says.
Part of those savings recently enabled them to make a large donation to Richmond Hospital Foundation for a continuing education fund for the medical team here. "The service we have received has always been excellent. I think society takes our health care for granted.
But they don't have enough funding to be able to receive more training and education. They need an opportunity to be able to learn the latest techniques and treatments."
The education fund at Richmond Hospital is a new fund established for continuing education for doctors, nurses and allied health care professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and diagnostic imaging technicians.
The new fund not only benefits education here to improve local health care, it also helps to attract and retain the best and brightest health care professionals when they choose where to work.
Born in India, Balbir and Rajvinder emigrated separately to Canada. In 1977 they met each other and married that year. Balbir started his own career working as a janitor. In 1978 aided by Rajvider, Balbir struck out on his own to establish Convenience Building Maintenance Ltd., in Richmond. Over the years, together they steadily grew the business and built it up to where it stands today with nearly 60 employees And as the business grew, Balbir and Rajvinder raised three daughters: Kironjit Sandhu, Sharon Gill, Namrita Hayer and now have three grandchildren, two of whom were born at Richmond Hospital.
The Hayers' support is not only longstanding, it's personal. "We've had some very close experiences with Richmond Hospital," says Rajvinder. In the 1990s the Hayers relied on Richmond Hospital to help treat and care for Balbir's father and mother during illnesses they experienced and their eventual passing.
More recently, Rajvinder found herself in need of care at Richmond Hospital. "Two years ago, I found out I had breast cancer. Within two to three months, I received surgery. I didn't need radiation or chemotherapy. I was lucky...But that gave me more insight into what we should be doing. If we can help someone else, we should. We have some duty towards the community." To anyone else considering following their lead, the Hayers offer the following advice. "Give as much as you can," says Rajvinder. "You don't have to give a large amount. That's how we started." Balbir is quick to add one of the benefits of giving: "It makes you feel you're part of the community," he says.