SURREY CHARITIES LAUNCH UNITED CAMPAIGN

Local fire fighters, Food Bank, and Hospital Foundation come together for

‘We Live Here, We Give Here’

Surrey, B.C. – Three of Surrey’s best known and most well respected charities have formed a unique partnership to put the spotlight on local giving.

The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society, Surrey Food Bank and Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation have teamed up for We Live Here, We Give Here, an advocacy campaign encouraging Surrey residents to make donations to charities with Surrey-based mandates.

“At a time when Surrey is undergoing rapid growth, our city is strengthened by the work of charities whose efforts are local,” says Mike McNamara of the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society. “Residents can have a huge impact in their own city by focusing their giving close to home.”

Revenue Canada statistics show Surrey residents give more than $100 million annually to charities. Between 2007 and 2009, about 20% of each year’s tax filers claimed a donation, and the average gift totaled $1,719.

“We know that Surrey is an extremely generous community,” notes Surrey Food Bank Executive Director Marilyn Herrmann. “It’s stunning to hear the overall amount donated and proves the old adage that every donation counts.”

To promote the campaign, the Firefighters, Food Bank and Hospital Foundation have created the website www.weliveherewegivehere.ca to encourage local giving, and to tell the stories of each of the three partners.

“As three prominent Surrey charities, we have come together to take the lead on this campaign,” says Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jane Adams. “There are many worthwhile charities out there, and no doubt all local charities can benefit from a focus on local giving.”

We Live Here, We Give Here is a joint initiative between the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society, the Surrey Food Bank and the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. The purpose of the program is to encourage Surrey residents to donate in support of the work being done in their community by leading charitable organizations.

The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society provides charitable programs that benefit citizens throughout Surrey and assists other charities within our community that have similar goals and objectives. The Society relies on volunteerism and as a result is able to operate with minimal administration costs, allowing for more funding to go right back into the community.

As a non-profit, charitable organization, the Surrey Food Bank is able to operate thanks to cash and food donations from the community, assisting approximately 14,000 people a month from Surrey and North Delta.

Established in 1992, Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation has raised more than $60 million to purchase medical equipment, fund innovative programs, and support training and research at Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre.

More information can be found at www.weliveherewegivehere.ca

For more information or interviews, contact:

Jeremy Dunn
Laura Ballance Media Group
604-637-6647 (direct)
604-726-8350 (mobile)
Jeremy@LBMG.ca