14 Wing Greenwood’s Combined Charities’ motto, “Locally, we make a difference,” has just added $22,100 worth of financial impact for 31 local and regional non-profit groups.
The annual disbursement of funds raised through the wing’s national workplace giving program happened in August, with $6,600 shared to groups supporting children and families, $5,000 for military and veterans programs, $5,000 for local food security, $3,000 for health-related services, $2,000 as sports program support, and $500 for animal welfare.
September 3, Colonel Luc Vachon and Wing Chief Warrant Officer Justin Harper were happy to accept a $3,000 cheque from Scotiabank Greenwood staff who, through their community matching funds program, annually join Combined Charities to present the December Festival of Trees raffle event.
“We’re part of the community, and we thank you for your contribution and time,” Vachon told bank manager Julie Daley and assistant manager Samantha Kennedy. “A big thank you for your partnership, and donating to Combined Charities.”
That goes for Defence Team personnel who, year-round, add their Friday casual dress toonies or payroll allotments to the fund; and to the countless business and community organizations who regularly contribute with decorated trees and raffle prizes, Load the Lab food contributions, and more. Plus, there are 14 Wing units working on smaller-scale initiatives, including toy and food drives, bottle recycling and special collections. Combined Charities formally runs September through December at 14 Wing, but the “making a difference” doesn’t stop throughout the year.
“You can see from this latest disbursement to food banks, youth, military families, health care, veterans, sports – these are all the right places we’re able to support together,” Vachon said.
Combined Charities is already planning into this Fall’s formal campaign, with the return of major events, including its 80-plus table crafters’ and vendors’ sale November 15 at the Community Centre and the marquee Festival of Trees raffle December 6 at the Greenwood Mall. Unit-level and wing-wide events, as small as 50/ 50 raffles to as large as full-month casual dress chits, are on the horizon. Unit volunteers, both military and civilian, make it all happen, with the generous support of Defence Team peers who contribute.
Follow along on Facebook @ 14 Wing Combined Charities.
