In the spirit of this time of giving, each week between now and Christmas, the Richmond News will be featuring the work of a local non-profit.
We kick off the series by shining the spotlight on the 86-year-old Richmond Christmas Fund.
IN its 86 years of helping families in need, the Richmond Christmas Fund has never organized, from beginning to end, its own event.
Until now.
And continually trying to think of new ways to inspire people to donate, the fund’s board asked themselves, "what do people really like?"
The answer: Cars.
Hence, on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at the Audi Richmond Showroom at the auto mall, the fund will host the inaugural, and rather tasty looking, A Not So Silent Night, featuring fast cars, great food and some amazing silent auction items.
“You can lose donors, because their interests change over the years and we felt that we needed to generate a little new interest with new people,” said Wayne Duzita, Richmond Christmas Fund co-chair, while sitting a few feet away from a $200,000 Audi R8, similar to the one that’s part of the event’s prize package.
“We always rely on everyone else to do something for us so, we thought, wouldn’t it be nice to do our own thing for once.
“And, well, everyone seems to really like cars; I don’t know anybody that doesn’t like cars, so we decided to build it around one of the dealerships here (at Richmond Auto Mall).”
A core group of 12 at the fund, including Duzita and co-chair Michael Chiu, jumped all over the idea of a car-focused fundraiser.
“All of a sudden, we had 12 people wanting to be a part of it, so that became the ‘Dirty Dozen,’" added Duzita.
“When you create something new and different, it’s always a challenge and we approached Gail Terry (auto mall general manager) for help.”
Marketed internally to the non-profit’s board, 20 people bought 10, $100 tickets each to get the event off the ground, with the remaining 100 or so tickets now being sold.
A Not So Silent Night will go from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a variety of food and liquor stations, allowing guests to mix and mingle among Audi's line of high-end vehicles.
There will also be a state-of-the-art virtual reality racing simulator, where as many as eight participants at a time can compete with one another for a special prize.
Live auction items will include the likes of being able to drive a “special vehicle” from a Richmond Auto Mall dealership for one week per month for 13 months; a weekend in Whistler with a $245,000 Audi R8, including two nights at the Fairmont Whistler; a four-day, all-inclusive fishing adventure for two in luxury lodges on the remote shores of Haida Gwaii and a “fly anywhere” in B.C. prize with Pacific Coastal Airlines.
The Richmond News has also donated a $1,750 prize to the silent auction of full colour page advert.
Tickets are available online at NSSN.eventBrite.ca.
ASKED why the Richmond Christmas Fund is so dear to their hearts, Chiu and Duzita were singing from very similar hymn sheets.
“I have trouble saying no,” said Chiu, about his many volunteering roles in the community, including the Christmas Fund.
“I also find it very satisfying to get something done. I remember when I first joined (the fund), I told my family, let’s not exchange gifts, let’s raise money instead; so we gave about $1,000 to a family connected to the fund.”
While Duzita’s daughter frequently tells him that he has a “need to be needed.”
Growing up in Vancouver, however, Duzita recalled how most parents, including his, lived from paycheque to paycheque and, “when you become an adult, you realized your parents were on the verge of poverty.
“But Christmas somehow always became very special, families came together. It was a time when things stopped and a time to reflect on what family is about.
“If you are so stressed out about life, that you can’t enjoy the special moments? The very fact that we can make that small difference in that small timeframe (via the fund), to be able to give that family a little bit of relief and take the time to enjoy one another.
“I really enjoy helping people, it’s as simple as that. We see people coming to register (for the fund) and to listen to how much this is helping them is very gratifying. When they leave with the toys, you see the smile on their faces. It makes it real.”
Other events benefitting the Christmas Fund:
4th Annual Richmond RCMP Toy Drive & Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, Nov. 17, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Ironwood Mall;
Richmond Auto Mall’s Windows of Hope, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Richmond Auto Mall;
Giving Tuesday at the River Rock Casino, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.;
Christmas Classic Car Cruise, Sunday, Dec. 2, 12:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Steveston Village;
Victor Ghirra Toy Drive Grand Toy Count, Saturday, Dec. 15, noon to 3 p.m., Riverside Banquet Hall.
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