The Vancouver Island Motor Gathering isnB次元官网网址檛 just about cars.
The IslandB次元官网网址檚 largest automotive gathering prepares to showcase not only hundreds of spectacular vehicles, but the new 2.3-kilometre Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit track near Duncan, and a passion for community that marries what they love with what they know.
B次元官网网址淒avid Foster can throw on a concert because that is what he knows best. For us, itB次元官网网址檚 cars,B次元官网网址� said the GAIN dealer groupB次元官网网址檚 marketing director Cindy Mui. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 why we put on a car show, to raise as much money as we can and put it back into the community.B次元官网网址�
Their event, set for Sept. 18, is guided by a unified philosophy, recruiting sponsorship to bypass overhead, fuelling an event that serves thousands of visitors, but runs on donated products and volunteerism to maximize fundraising.
All the money raised is directed to two beneficiaries, including the David Foster Foundation, which supports families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants. The second is the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, where board chair Alison Taylor said much-needed funds will help replace their overburdened and antiquated hospital in the Cowichan Valley.
B次元官网网址淥ur hospital is funded for 113 beds (and) routinely operates over that mark. At one point in June our hospital had 151 occupied beds,B次元官网网址� Taylor said. B次元官网网址淭hat gives you a sense of how dire the situation is B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檒l take us five to 10 years to get a new facility and these stats will get worse, not better.B次元官网网址�
The Duncan resident called their hospitalB次元官网网址檚 situation a B次元官网网址減light,B次元官网网址� where staff are doing everything they can, despite being hampered in their ability to provide the best care possible by a lack of equipment and infrastructure. She said having the support of the Island Motor Gathering, however, has buoyed spirits and she looks forward to participating in an event that will help fund important care.
B次元官网网址淭o see someone new come to us and say B次元官网网址榳e want the foundation to be a benefactor,B次元官网网址� that is fabulous. We donB次元官网网址檛 often have others approach us and obvious we stand to gain enormously,B次元官网网址� Taylor continued. B次元官网网址淣ot just proceeds of the event, but being present on site and raising awareness on the plight of our hospital.B次元官网网址�
After raising $52,000 in 2013 and $75,000 in 2014, the event brought in more than $118,000 in cash donations and $200,000 of in-kind donations in 2015.
Mui says they hope to increase those totals and look forward to handing over the much-needed funds to those who need it most.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very rewarding to be a part of a company that allows us to support the local charities as much as we do,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hen you meet the recipients of the money, and see how appreciative no matter the amount, whether it is $1 or $100,000, it really humbles you.B次元官网网址�
The Motor Gathering takes to the track this Sunday at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, 4063 Cowichan Valley Hwy. For more information visit motorgathering.com.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
