A national charity turned around and gave back to Chilliwack last week after it had received thousands of dollars from the Chilliwack Curling Club over the years.
The Sandra Schmirler Foundation (SSF) handed over a cheque for $10,000 to the Chilliwack Hospital Foundation during a Nov. 21 presentation at the Chilliwack Curling Club.
Councillor Harv Westeringh thanked the club members for “coming together and contributing $10,000 to the Schmirler Foundation, of which they’re giving $10,000 back to the Chilliwack General Hospital.”
Over the past 11 years, members of the curling club have donated more than $40,000 to the SSF from annual brunch fundraisers and silent auctions, thanks to Helen Murray who spearheaded the initiative.
“Ten thousand dollars is a pretty nice gift,” Murray said of the donation to the Chilliwack Hospital Foundation.
The SSF raises money for hospital newborn intensive care units (NICUs), to purchase life-saving equipment for premature and critically ill newborns.
The foundation began in 2001 in honour of curler Sandra Schmirler, skip of Canada’s first Olympic gold-medalists, who died of cancer in 2000 at the age of 36.
Since it was established, the SSF has raised $4.7 million for 61 hospitals across Canada.
“Your club is pretty special. You do an amazing job of fundraising and supporting our foundation,” said Robin Wilson, executive director of the SSF.
The Chilliwack Curling Club’s upcoming Sandra Schmirler Foundation brunch and silent auction is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the curling club (9291 Corbould St.).
Tickets are $15.
RELATED: Celebration to officially open Chilliwack Curling and Community Centre
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