Bayshore Foundation for Empowered Living and Bayshore HealthCare Raise and Contribute More Than $330,000 for Canadian Charities
MISSISSAUGA, ON (January 11, 2021) – The Bayshore Foundation for Empowered Living raised $225,651 for 42 Canadian charities in the fiscal year 2020. Bayshore HealthCare donated an additional $112,825 in matching funds, bringing the year’s total to $338,476.
The Bayshore Foundation strategically funds local initiatives that address the barriers preventing people who are living with illness, injury or aging from living independently. In communities that Bayshore HealthCare serves, we partner with local registered charities that offer resources and guidance; provide access to supportive tools, products and devices; and address inaccessibility in built environments. Funds raised in a community stay in that community, and our charitable partners keep us informed about how the money is used.
Although the global pandemic disrupted many planned fundraisers in 2020, Bayshore branches, employees and their communities still came together to support their chosen charities. We quickly pivoted from traditional grassroots fundraising events and placed more emphasis on digital initiatives. In addition, employees of Bayshore HealthCare donated generously through our Power of One payroll deduction campaign. As in previous years, the Bayshore Foundation matched their donations by 50%, thanks to a gift from Bayshore HealthCare.
More than one-third of funds went to charities that support people with chronic diseases; 19.3% was donated to hospices; 19.2% went to charities focused on mental health or brain injuries; and 15.1% supported aging at home (including seniors’ programs and caregiver support). Smaller amounts went to organizations for veterans and for youth with disabilities.
We also supported a number of new charities and initiatives related to COVID-19, which has highlighted the increasing need to keep seniors safe at home. One recipient was UHN OpenLab’s Friendly Neighbour Hotline, which matches volunteers with at-risk seniors for delivery of groceries and other essentials. Meanwhile, a partnership with Amazon allowed us to donate more than 700 Kindle Fire tablets to help ease loneliness for isolated seniors.
In the spring, we challenged our existing charity partners to identify their clients’ greatest needs during the pandemic. Several responded, including Community Home Support Lanark County in Ontario. The agency had seen a sharp increase in requests from seniors for meal delivery. To help meet this need, we provided support for its Meals on Wheels service. (Previously, we supported its palliative care program.)
“In a very challenging climate for charities, we’re grateful to all of our donors, supporters and charitable partners for making a difference in the lives of vulnerable Canadians,” says John Lawrence, Director of the Bayshore Foundation. “Bayshore HealthCare’s commitment to support the communities we serve remained steady during this difficult year.”
About Bayshore HealthCare and the Bayshore Foundation for Empowered Living
Bayshore HealthCare, one of the country’s leading providers of home and community health care services, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, dignity and independence of all Canadians. Through the Bayshore Foundation for Empowered Living, we fund registered charities that support people living with injury, illness or aging and help them reclaim or maintain their independence.
For more information, contact:
John Lawrence, Director of the Bayshore Foundation
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