The Richmond Christmas fund is kicking off its fundraising events early this year to make sure low-income families can still celebrate the spirit of the holidays despite the impact of COVID-19.
The program – run by non-profit Richmond Cares Richmond Gives (RCRG) – is launching its new WearTheBear campaign by selling reusable masks that are locally sourced in the city.
Each mask is decorated with the Christmas Fund logo and RCRG’s mascot bear, and will be sold for $20 online and at selected locations in Richmond.
Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of RCRG, said they are hoping to sell at least 500 masks, which will help provide $10,000 towards purchasing food carts to distribute to families during Christmas.
“We have lost a lot of our regular fundraising events for the Christmas Fund because of the pandemic,” said Gavsie, which is why they are kicking off their fundraising earlier.
“Decreasing fundraising and increased demand is what we are forecasting … and we can only anticipate a major increase because of people’s financial situation during COVID-19.”
Windows of Hope, Not So Silent Night and the Richmond RCMP’s toy drive are only some of the major events that have been impacted by the pandemic.
Gavsie told the Richmond News that RCRG is in the process of re-imagining these events in a way that will follow the guidelines and safety protocols put forth by the BC Health Ministry.
For example, Not So Silent Night, dubbed Not So Isolated Night for 2020, will most likely become a virtual event while plans for the RCMP toy drive and Windows of Hope are still being discussed.
The Beer, Wine and Sours fundraiser, which raised $13,000 in 2019, will be cancelled this year.
“We’re hoping that we can proceed again with most of our fundraisers especially the Windows of Hope since it’s a tremendous fundraiser that we need badly,” said Gavsie, adding that they are hoping the “public or organizations who can help will step up.”
For more information on RCRG’s WearTheBear campaign, visit wearthebear.ca
