BURNABY – On Thursday, May 26, approximately 40 well-wishers enjoyed a breakfast and presentation at Vancouver’s Terminal City Club, and helped Variety – The Children’s Charity launch its new Sunshine Family Van campaign.
Variety was thrilled to recognize Irfan Ali (President) and Sunita Chand (Director) of the Muslim Business Council of BC, and thank their organization for pledging to fundraise $50,000 to purchase the first Sunshine Family Van.
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Variety is fundraising to provide new, wheelchair accessible vans to families across British Columbia with children who have mobility challenges.
Surrey mom Danielle Brisebois-Duncan, whose five-year-old daughter Tayler has Adams-Oliver Syndrome and is completely dependent for care, was the recipient of this first van at Variety’s Show of Hearts Telethon in February. Danielle spoke of the significant and positive impact accessible transportation has made: “It was a dream come true and much more than I could have ever hoped for my family. I can take Tayler to her medical appointments and school, and our entire family on a trip to the park or the mall. These are simple family things, but things that we were not able to do before Variety and their donors gave us the van.”
“Families that need wheelchair modified vans often must wait up to a year to raise the funds needed to convert their vehicle,” says Kristy Gill, Variety’s Executive Director. “We want to give families their freedom back, and ensure they can travel together in safety and comfort.”
Variety wants to help as many B.C. families as possible with kids who have mobility challenges, and asks donors interested in contributing to the campaign or signing up as a corporate sponsor to contact Molly Loudon, Manager, Strategic Partnerships, at 604.320.0505 or [email protected].
