One of the biggest companies on the North Shore has made a large donation to the United Way to help local neighbourhoods weather the pandemic storm.
Seaspan, its affiliated company Southern Railway and charitable foundation headed by the Washington family company owners are donating $600,000 to the local charity to help support neighbourhoods in Lower Mainland, including North Vancouver.
The money will be used to provide support and critical services to seniors, people living with a disability, people living in poverty, single parents, and people with mental health concerns, among others.
Unlike traditional grant programs, the funds will be allocated on the basis of neighbourhoods, said Kim Winchell, senior director of strategy and operations for the United Way.
As a result of the donation, United Way will launch a Community Builder Program in eight neighbourhoods connecting those who are most in need to support where they live, including micro-grants to provide community connections for neighbourhoods and funding to service agencies through COVID-19 relief grants.
The initial eight community hubs include ones on the North Shore, as well as in New Westminster, Delta, Abbotsford and Victoria/Esquimalt.
“Seaspan and Southern Railway are deeply committed to the communities where we operate and where our employees live,” said Kyle Washington, executive chairman of Seaspan in a press statement.
The $600,000 donation includes a $150,000 matching challenge. For every dollar Seaspan and Southern Railway employees and other United Way donors contribute, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation will match up to $150,000.
This will expand the program to five more areas bringing the total number of neighbourhoods receiving support to 13 across the province.
City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan praised the donation, saying it would allow local communities to better support the most vulnerable.
“Our community has seen unprecedented challenges as a result of this pandemic, but we have also seen unprecedented levels of community spirit, hope, civic engagement, and generosity,” she said.
