Reach Donor Recognition Timeline

Fraserway RV Delta picked Reach Child and Youth Development Society as their charity of choice once more during the 2024 holiday season. REACH extends gratitude to Fraserway RV for choosing to support children with developmental delays for the 4th consecutive year!

Aug.20, 2024: REACH Executive Director Renie D’Aquila and Events Coordinator Tamara Veitch visited Ladner McDonalds today to receive $13,000 in proceeds from McHappy Day 2024. South Delta McDonald’s owner Nauman Jutt and staff Holly Sorley, Shawna Gradley, Jade Cook (Tsawwassen location), Aman Amandeep (Ladner location) were instrumental to the success of the fundraiser at both Ladner and Tsawwassen restaurants on  May 8, 2024.

The community came out in full force on McHappy Day 2024 and REACH extends heartfelt gratitude for outstanding the $13,000 fundraising total. “I want to express Reach’s gratitude to South Delta McDonald’s owner Nauman Jutt, his amazing staff, the Delta Fire Department, Delta Police and all the volunteers and community members who came out to support”, says Reach Society Events Coordinator Tamara Veitch. “We are lucky to live in a place filled with such kindness.”

Visit the Delta Optimist’s article McHappy Day Raises $13,000 for local kids and REACH Facebook McHappy Day 2024 Album for more photos.

Global Container Terminals renewed their sponsorship of Reach Child and Youth Development Society’s TEENS Social Saturdays program for the 6^th year, providing $32,000 annually. This vital program provides valuable learning and social opportunities for youth with extra needs and relief for primary caregivers, allowing them to recharge while ensuring their children receive quality care. GCT’s Marko Dekovic, VP  Public Affairs and Ben Hawk, VP Operations visited the Ladner Child Development Centre today to meet with REACH staff and provide the generous cheque. We extend heartfelt gratitude to GCT for their sustained support to local complex youth.

“As a member of the Delta community, GCT Global Container Terminals is proud to be able to support Reach Child and Youth Society in its essential work with children with special needs”, says Ben Hawk, Vice President, Operations – GCT Deltaport. “Since 2018, GCT has supported GCT TEEN Social Saturday program, and we are thrilled to continue resourcing this special initiative that supports youth ages 12-18. At GCT Deltaport we take our role of being a part of the Delta community very seriously. Dedicating funds to making a positive impact on the lives of local families, including through this program at Reach is a must.”

Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation provided $7500 in funding to REACH Parent Peer to Peer Group (Punjabi). Over the past 3 years, the parent support group has grown from 8 families to 87 families residing in Surrey and Delta participating. A majority of participants are not current Reach clients which indicates that this group is supporting the greater community .

Referrals come from parents within the group, service providers and families who have heard about the program in the community. Families have become comfortable sharing their journeys with the public and this also helps raise awareness. 5 moms have presented on local radio stations to share their stories in an effort to help others who have felt isolated and a number spoke at the group’s Christmas party.

Families are more comfortable meeting in person for social events and there is a desire to organize more which is a welcome development as families were more reticent when the group began. Most recently, they asked to organize a Diwali celebration. In addition, parents involved in the group have also taken the initiative to organize a two week summer camp for families in the group and secured funding from local business people and gurudwara’s for hiring of a bus, BI’s and entrance fees (Aquarium, science world, etc.) Peer to peer support groups foster an eagerness to help new families

Petro-Canada Caremakers Foundation donation to REACH Parent Peer to Peer Groups also provides educational sessions in Punjabi language on diverse topics such as Q&A Sessions on Autism & Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Understanding Anxiety and ADHD Treatments and Supports.

REACH had visitors with glad tidings for their holiday appeal on December 19, 2023.  Fraserway RV presented a cheque for $5000 towards REACH Gift of Speech 2023!  Many children have speech deficits that can limit their future and it is critical to provide support as early as possible. Each year, Fraserway RV decides on a charity to support during the holiday season and REACH received donations  in 2017, 2021 and 2022.  “We are honoured to be chosen by Fraserway RV staff again this year”, says Events and Donor Development Coordinator Tamara Veitch, “These funds provide hours of speech therapy and the augmentative tools vital for speech therapy sessions.” The campaign will run until the end of the year and REACH extends gratitude to all donors who have generously supported Gift of Speech this year!

Sending profound thanks to Elaine and David Bliss for their generous $5000 donation to REACH Gift of Speech on Nov.29, 2023! This holiday season, we launched our annual REACH Gift of Speech on Giving Tuesday, Nov.28 the global day of radical generosity. The Blisses contacted us in this generous spirit to fund therapy sessions to help children with complex needs communicate. Visit REACH Gift of Speech to donate and learn more!

REACH Child and Youth Development Society’s Speech-Language Pathologists not only engage directly with children, they also collaborate closely with families, assisting them in finding practical strategies to support their child’s communication skills. This collaboration is vital, as illustrated in this video from the official Canada Helps website, showcasing the progress of three-year-old Cruz, featured alongside REACH SLP Joanne and his mother, Ray Win, who express gratitude for the transformative impact of speech-language therapy services. Supporting the REACH Gift of Speech initiative makes a lasting impact on what children can achieve, fostering lifelong differences in their capabilities.

Members of the Kinsmen Club of Ladner-Tsawwassen visited Reach Child and Youth Development Society Nov.23^rd with a $1500 cheque to support REACH Gift of Speech 2023 holiday fundraising campaign. The funds were raised at Kinsmen annual Crab and Corn dinner, held at Harris Barn on October 14, 2023, a favourite local event for many years. REACH Speech Language Pathologist Joanne Beauchamp was present with executive director Renie D’Aquila to receive the donation from Ian Sandham, Stuart Holmes and Brian Hansen.

The Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF) is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support community service organizations, including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, as they adapt and modernize their organizations.

Now more than ever, community service organizations play a key role in addressing complex social problems faced by many communities across Canada. Locally, five organizations received grants from the CSRF – Delta Community Living Society, Sahas Community Services Society, 140 Sports Association,  Burns Bog Conservation Society and Reach child and Youth Development Society.

At REACH, the CSRF grant received helped with technology upgrades that gave us the ability to conference and collaborate with staff and families to ensure that REACH can maintain accessibility, timely responses, and program designs that are top quality, sustainable, inclusive, and include the families, multiple therapists at once, and tailor to individual child needs fully.

GCT Teen Social Saturdays (GCT TEENSS) youth visited Global Container Terminals (GCT) on June 10, 2023. GCT was the first corporate business to sponsor an annual program at REACH and by doing so has ensured the continuity and stability of this valuable program for six years. GCT TEENSS provides life changing opportunities for vulnerable youth who are striving to improve the quality of their lives and become contributing community members.

“Reach has been an important part of J’s and our family’s life for several years now and has been an amazing experience for him. He has grown and blossomed with his social interactive skills to the point where he feels extremely confident in any social situation. He also loves spending time at Reach helping out/ mentoring the younger children. All in all, we are very grateful.” Program Parent

Thank you to GCT for supporting this ongoing and important opportunity to Reach Teens, and for welcoming our group on this amazing VIP tour where fun was had by all!

President Tanya MacNeill and Ken Harvey visited us at head office July 05, 2023, with a donation from Royal Canadian Legion branch 289, Tsawwassen. We appreciate this support to local children in our community and Executive Director Renie D’Aquila and Fundraising Manager Tamara Veitch gratefully accepted the generous cheque. The $2500 donation provides program iPads which are augmentative tools to facilitate a wide range of skill development for children with developmental needs.

Did you know that Tsawwassen Legion needs your support to find a new location? Their lease is up at the end of August: read the Delta Optimist article “Tsawwassen Legion Scrambling..” to find out more. If you know of space in Tsawwassen suitable for the legion, please contact [email protected] or call 604-943-0232. Let’s help this long-standing, helping organization stay in the community!

REACH Fundraising Manager Tamara Veitch received a $1535 donation from Tsawwassen Mills June 13, 2023. This generous donation was an additional contribution to La Belle Vie gala June 03, 2023. Tsawwassen Mills chose to make REACH the beneficiary from their Central Walk coin donations and Jay Sohal, Jody Mattice and Damien Teissedre were on hand to present the big cheque.

Reach Child and Youth Development Society (REACH) had a visit from Rod Morgan, Operations Manager at Fraserway RV with a generous $5,000 donation today. It is a local example of the philanthropy Fraserway.com owner James Epp and staff extend across Canada by giving back to each community where they have operations. This is the second year in a row REACH was chosen by Fraserview RV staff for this holiday donation, which coincides with their wish to give back to the Delta Community and also to contribute to the wellbeing of children. The Dec.15^th cheque brings Fraserway RV’s cumulative donations supporting children with special needs with REACH to $15,000 as the non-profit also picked in 2017. Tamara Veitch, REACH Fundraising Coordinator said, “We are so grateful to the owner and staff of Fraserway RV for once again choosing to donate to REACH! They truly understand that this kind of give-back and funding are vital to support vulnerable children.”

Delta Community Foundation has donated $5,000 to support counselling services offered by Reach Child and Youth Development Society. Representatives from the foundation made the donation during a visit to Reach’s development centre, located at 5050 47th Ave. in Ladner, during Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 2-8). “On behalf of the Delta Community Foundation, president Gail Martin and grants committee chair Ammen Dhillon are pleased to present this $5,000 grant to Reach to be used towards specialized counselling for families raising children with special needs,” the foundation said in a press release. “Reach and the Delta Community Foundation both have a long tradition of supporting Delta citizens and we are thrilled to be able to continue this partnership.”

REACH Summer Series Summer Camps that have comprised 8 weeks of fun for complex kids at our child development centre in the heart of Ladner! From tie-dying, to creating wishes boxes to keep their wishes for themselves safe, to waterpark fun behind Reach, to getting to know you activities to encourage peer connections, to fun snacks like fruit kabobs and s’mores and to field trip Fridays to the beach, local berry farm and fun parks in other communities – every week is filled with many active and creative activities differentiated to support a variety nuerodiversities. Summer Series is designed to encourage connections in a structured but playful manner.

One camper age 6 said, “I am sad I left day camp and want to go back and stay longer” and here’s a parent’s perspective,“I love how the camp workers are so engaging and keep the campers busy with group projects, crafts, cooking, outside activities,  story telling and so much more. I love that they are trying to get the campers to interact with each other, build social interaction that might be challenging for kids with extra needs.” First West Foundation is proud to provide grants through the Envision Financial Community Endowment benefitting the Summer Series.

David Bliss and Sheila Yip from The TOOB service club in Tsawwassen visited us March 15, 2022 with a donation to REACH. The TOOB’s mission is to support community organizations in South Delta. We thank them for thinking of us! REACH Executive Director Renie D’Aquila is pictured to the left of Tsawwassen Order of Old Bastards’ David Bliss with REACH Development Manager Kristin Bibbs to the right.  The TOOB are working on increasing awareness of the club as well as seeking new members. Both men or women who are retired are ideal candidates! Visit their website to find more.

The hot chocolate festival supported children at REACH in the Aboriginal Supported Child Development program! The organizer, South Delta Local, offered locals extra special treats from Delta coffee shops and bakeries and $1 from each sale will be donated to REACH!! Sending a big thank you to sponsors City of Delta, Absolute Plumbing, Four Winds Brewing Co., Food by Lockhart, l’aromas coffee, Sam Fadez Barber Shop, Miguel Curiel Photography, La Chula Mexican Kitchen, Becir Real Estate, Indalma Creative, The Pauhaus and THIS.

The Delta Hot Chocolate Fest was about celebrating our local businesses, spreading joy, and keeping our community warm in the most delicious way. Thank you for supporting  local businesses and making our community sweeter by visitingparticipating Cafes and Bakeries in Ladner, North Delta & Tsawwassen and indulging im  Specialty Hot Chocolate Drink or Chocolate-inspired Pastry.

Visit the Delta Hot Chocolate Fest website to learn more.

DATES: FEBRUARY 14 -28, 2022

On December 15, 2021, Michael Voros, Branch Manager of Ladner Envision brought in a cheque for $24,073 to support REACH. Envision Financial, a division of First West Credit Union, pledged to donate $2 for each valid member vote cast online, by telephone or by text message—and members who voted were able to choose where they’d like their vote donation to go, from a shortlist of local charitable organizations. Because of an excellent member turnout for the vote, just over $97,000 was generated for local charities; however, First West topped up the total donation amount to $250,000. Reach Child and Youth Development Society (REACH) received a donation of $24,073 as one of the non-profits supported by this generosity. Here are the final donation totals in the area served by Envision Financial:

• Sources BC: $25,693
• Saints Rescue Mission: $23,083
• Reach Child & Development Centre: $24,073
• The Full Cupboard: $15,315
• First West Foundation: $14,189

REACH Executive Director Renie D’Aquila reports that the funds will support counselling and mental health for families at REACH. “Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to Envision  and First West Credit Union and its members  for such a significant donation  to REACH and our counselling program” she said.

Reach Child and Youth Development Society (REACH) had visitors with glad tidings for their holiday appeal.  Fraserway RV presented Renie D’Aquila, Executive Director, with $5000 towards REACH Gift of Speech 2021 on December 16^th, 2021. Many children have speech deficits that can limit their future and it is critical to provide support as early as possible. This recent donation brings the total amount raised for speech therapy to $28,960 at time of submission. Each year, Fraserway RV decides on a charity to support during the holiday season and REACH was also the recipient in 2017. This year, Fraserway RV also had regional flooding event to contend with and still mounted their annual giving.  “Fraserway RV’s generosity will provide an amazing 100 hours of speech therapy for REACH children”, said Executive Director Renie D’Aquila.

Envision Financial just keeps giving to registered local charities! Right now, their Simple Generosity campaign is live and a wonderful opportunity exists to make #CommentsOfKindness and tag us on this Envision Facebook post and Reach Child & Youth Society will automatically be awarded $25. If you have a chance to do so, we thank you and also Envision for making this possible!

As a result of Covid-19, REACH experienced a drastic increase in the costs associated with program and service delivery. We have been providing both virtual and in-person services depending on children’s support needs and families individual circumstances. For virtual autism therapies, we have required materials that accompany children’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) so that families can continue interventions in their home.

Tools for skill development include behaviour modelling, acquisition and sensory processing. Also, our staff have been using iPads to deliver remote services to observe sessions and coach families. Staff need one iPad and each family requires two: one for observation and one for the parents to use to teach the child. Many of our families are not able to access the technology needed to communicate virtually nor the resources to purchase any. For in-person services, we require a continuous supply of PPE to ensure the safety of our staff, children and families.

The 2021 Community Response Grant funds that REACH received were extremely impactful helping ensure that children with extra needs continue to receive the critical support they need to reach their potential during these exceptionally challenging times. We are so grateful for Envision Financial and First West Foundation’s incredible support of REACH during these unprecedented times.

FortisBC visited us on January 19, 2021  to donate masks, gloves, re-usable slippers, cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer to help with REACH therapy session safety during COVID-19! Sending a BIG THANK YOU to FortisBC, who is a committed REACH sponsor of our SibShops youth and children’s group offered through our Positive Connections program. The Sibshops Group is offered to siblings of children with special needs in the Delta, Surrey and Ladner. It offers skill building and community to deepen family ties in the populations we serve.

FortisBC’s Antonio Bebic and Will Zylmans are pictured delivering the donations to REACH Development Manager Kristin Bibbs at the Ladner Children’s Development Centre.

REACH has received an incredible amount of support for families in need this Christmas and as a result were able to build amazing Christmas Hampers full of toys and food for 25 families!!  The sources of these donations are:

• Home Depot Strawberry Hills who provided Home Depot buckets with Christmas light strands and warm Christmas blankets for each family. Additionally, the staff donated toys and non-perishable food that filled 4 huge tubs and two boxes!
• The City of Delta who took on 11 families wish lists to purchase toys or items like clothes and shoes that were requested by the parents.
• Lehigh Cement whose staff filled 4 boxes with toys and non-perishable good.
• BC Fresh who donated 10lbs of potatoes, 3lbs of carrots, 3lbs of onions, shallots and squash for each of the 25 families!

We are very grateful for the special pandemic support from our sustained donors during 2020. In August, REACH received a letter from Port Gala Committee members DP World Vancouver, Global Container Terminals, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Western Stevedoring extending funds in light of COVID-19. The message that accompanied the gift is heartwarming:

“On behalf of the Port Fundraising Gala Committee, we would like to extend our most sincere thank you for your ongoing support to your community during this challenging time. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact and we recognize that many non-profit organizations have been significantly affected by COVID-19.To support your organization during this challenging time, the Port Fundraising Gala Committee will be providing Reach Child and Youth Development Society with a one-time donation of $10,000. Funds will be distributed directly from the Port Gala Committee organizations. Thank you for your contribution towards the quality of life of residents living south of the Fraser River.”

REACH is one of the beneficiaries of the Port Fundraising Gala along with Harvest Project and Mission Possible non-profit organizations. This year, the gala did not take place for pandemic safety reasons and we are so appreciative of the Port Gala partners for supporting us regardless!

Reach Child and Youth Development Society launched Reach for Beauty: Art Auction for Autism on July 26, 2020. The generosity of local artists made this on-line silent auction to support children possible and all the wonderful supporters who bid on artwork. We raised over $9,000 and thank everyone who participated!!.It’s all done for this year but you can still see the glorious artwork at www.reachforbeauty.ca

We are thrilled to announce that Vancouver Foundation has awarded Reach Child and Youth Development Society with a Community Response Fund flexible operating grant of $50,000.00. REACH sends out profound gratitude for these funds that mitigate the losses to our CHOICES and ABA programs as a result of COVID-19. The Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) program is a skill building program that teaches functional skills to children with autism spectrum disorders. REACH CHOICES program encompasses a diverse range of options. Clients have access to Speech Language Pathologists, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists as well as Behavioural Consultants specializing in addressing challenging behaviours in children.

At the onset of restrictions to in-person service delivery, our team quickly developed an integrated approach to remain connected and offer telehealth virtual services to provide direct support to our families. This approach includes three levels of intervention: 1) Parent Support Training; 2) Behaviour Reduction; and 3) Skill Building. With support from Vancouver Foundation, we were able to continue to support vulnerable families to assist with challenging behaviours and work with parents to develop strategies to continue their children’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) within their homes.

As of June 17, 2020, we have resumed in-person services in REACH ABA and CHOICES programs. ABA  session start-up has been welcomed by most families and they  have signed up for service. Almost all Behavioural Interventionists have been recalled and are ready to deliver in-person service with specific COVID-19 protocols in place. Each staff member at REACH received a safety bag with PPE visor, masks, gloves and sanitizer assembled by volunteers June 10-12^th, 2020 (photo L:R Karen Ostrom, Donna Grant, Sue Richards, Stella MacDonald).  Some aspects of remote sessions will be maintained –parent training component for teeth brushing or eating or using iPad to ask for a snack – it has proven very effective to coach the parent to do this and implement session goals at home because it empowers the parent.

CHOICES has begun to work with  ABA to amalgamate BI hiring/training and scheduling, which will provide efficiencies. In-person service provision has begun and there will be a place for virtual follow up / remote observation, and virtual education allows for higher participation from parents. In addition, CHOICES is offering virtual music therapy groups this summer (contact [email protected] for more information) including:

• U CAN UKE – Learn how to play the ukulele! Uke CAN do it!
• DISNEY FAN CLUB – Practice social skills and improve articulation through the magic of Disney music!
• BUILD YOUR OWN BAND! – Make your own instruments using regular household items and then jam out with your friends all from the comfort of your home!

Sending a HUGE REACH THANK YOU to the Vancouver Foundation for supporting these initiatives and the families and children who benefit from them. We are indeed all in this together!

Four Winds Brewing Co.hosted their annual fundraiser for REACH at Harris Barn in Ladner featuring music from the Star Captains (Soul, R&B), A2Z (Funk instrumental)  and Olin Brix (Pop) on Feb. 8th, 2020.  Over $20,000 was raised thanks to Four Winds efforts for the 3rd year running! Quality micro-brews  from Luppolo, Strange Fellows, House of Funk, Greenhill Cider and Four Winds accompanied live music performed by Olin Brix, A2Z and Star Captains .  A BIG THANK YOU to the volunteers, donors, sponsors and guests who made the evening such an enormous success!

Presenting sponsor Dilawri Group and Tasty Indian Bistro made our 3rd Annual Taste of Reach Fundraiser possible! This year’s event was held December 3rd at Tasty Indian Bistro North Delta and featured elegant South Asian cuisine paired with fine wine and micro-brew tastes.   The wonderful guests,  Tasty Bistro staff, volunteers, donors, and sponsors mingled with emcee  Grey Cup Champion Marco Iannuzzi  and enjoyed themselves immensely. Iannuzzi was also auctioneer, achieving top bids on the live auction that adds to the excitement of this celebratory evening. An inside look at REACH  services was provided by a local family so that guests understand the impact that their donations make.

REACH extends many thanks to A Taste of Reach Bronze Sponsors: Envision Financial,  Pacific Chartered Advisors, BM Group International,  Colliers Canada-Mike Grewal  and Bob Johal. We are appreciative of Beverage Sponsors Old Yale Brewing, The Drinks List, Charton Hobbs, La Stella and Dessert Sponsor Just Cakes BC . Thank you to Drishti Magazine for coming on board as our media sponsor.

Mingler at the Mills evening with appetizers and boutique beverages to benefit Reach Child and Youth Development Society  raised $5,500 to support children with special needs.  Micro brewery tastes from Four Winds, Steamworks, Steel & Oak and Parallel 49. Fine wine from Delf Wines, Indigenous World Winery and Select Wines. Spirits tastes provided by Goodridge & Williams Distilling.  Live jazz from acclaimed Gabriel Mark Hasselbach added to the smooth soiree and fall fashions were previewed. Fabulous door prizes were provided by the GAP, Pacific Breeze Winery, Parallel 49, Marshalls, Pastime Sports and  Lagoon Baby.  Also  a Bass Pro MR. STEAK barbecue ($762 value with cover, BBQ implements and Gill light/speaker); Tommy Hilfiger designer luggage & colognes or down winter his/hers jackets were awarded in our raffle.  Many thanks to Tsawwassen Mills and Boston Pizza Tsawwassen for making this evening possible.

DATE AND TIME

David Bliss presented a $3,000 cheque to REACH at our Annual General Meeting on September 13, 2018. These funds were raised by the TOOB and are earmarked for preschool playground equipment. Thank you for your community mindedness members of the TOOB.

The 1st Annual Golf Day for Charity at The Links at Hampton Cove on August 11, 2018 was a terrific success! This fundraiser for REACH was organized by Glenn Issler, Michael Lepore and The Links at Hampton Cove’s Earl Francis. Commenting on how the event first came to be, Issler says, “3 neighbours got together for coffee, made some notes on a napkin, and this terrific community event was born. It all happened very quickly.” The Organizing Sponsors paid the green fees, and sponsorships and donations totaled in excess of $9,000 . Highlights included ladies and men’s hole-in-one prizes of $10,000 each, Individuals Tournament, a Partners Best Ball (within a foursome), and a Family Scramble. The Reach Family Fun area, and Ladner Trivia Tour with a focus to local heritage rounded out the day’s fun. View event photos on line at the Delta Optimist HERE.

May 14, 2018

Reach Shredding Fundraiser Raises $3215

DELTA, BC – ReMax Progroup Realty and South Delta Financial Group-Raymond James supported local children with developmental disabilities and the environment very successfully at the ReMax parking lot in Tsawwassen. The shredding truck was filled in record time with 4.5 tons of paper, saving 36 mature trees.

Kristin Bibbs, REACH Development Manager, stated that “we were blown away by the community turnout on this beautiful day! We cannot express enough thanks to everyone who came out!”

Paula Lloyd from local business Open Connection in Ladner brought in a $1,000 donation to support the REACH Building for Children Together Campaign today. Facilitated by Foundation Director Ulf Ottho, we were delighted to meet the Lloyds and show them around the new building they were contributing to.

Proceeds from the silent auction at the Hats Off Gala 2017 were presented to Reach Society executive director Renie D’Aquila at Delta Chamber’s Christmas luncheon.

TOOB president Dave Stanton presents a $3,500 cheque to Reach Society executive director Renie D’Aquila (right) and development manager Kristin Bibbs at the building site of the new child development centre in Ladner. This cheque was made possible by the TOOB’s fundraising initiatives in the community, including Ladner Bandfest and Tsawwassen Sun Festival.

South Delta Financial Group | Raymond James and Re/Max Pro Group Realty partnered to bring the third annual fall Ladner shredding event to benefit Reach Child and Youth Development Society recently.

Despite the inclement weather, intrepid local residents came out to Raymond James parking lot and took advantage of this great service. An environmentally impactful three tons of paper were shredded and recycled, equivalent to 36 mature trees.

Raymond James Foundation will match the $3,393.55 in donations raised at the event once again this year, as part of Raymond James Cares Month, making a $6,787 total.

Reach Society executive director Renie D’Aquila expressed heartfelt gratitude to organizers Eleanor Calderwood, Zahir Dossa and Vicki Chatterley at South Delta Financial Group and Bob Cooke at Re/Max Pro Group for their tremendous support to children with needs.

“Who knew we could have freezing temperatures and a bit of snow at the beginning of November?,” said Calderwood. “We all had fun though and want to thank everyone in the community that made the trek in the cold and contributed.”

Joanne and Kevin Husband and daughter Katie Leek presented Reach Child and Youth Development Society executive director Renie D’Aquila and development manager Kristin Bibbs with a cheque for $3,552 from this year’s Canada Day Strawberry Fundraiser.

Since 2014, Emma Lea Farms has contributed $14,584 to Reach’s Building for Children Together project.

“We love supporting Reach Child and Youth Development Society because they play a very important role in our community,” said Leek.

The Emma Lea Farms summer fundraiser benefitting Reach boasted face painting and Canada Day tattoos for children attending as well plentiful fresh strawberries.

“Emma Lea’s contribution is helping Reach to construct our new three-storey Reach Child Development Centre in Ladner and we are appreciative of this local family business’ social awareness and commitment to helping children,” said D’Aquila.

“Our new Lois E. Jackson Kinsmen Children’s Centre will serve as a place of learning and belonging for children and youth with special needs and their families, providing autism and speech, occupational and physical therapy and counselling rooms, youth program areas, specialized lending libraries and an inclusive pre-school.”

‘A Taste of Reach’ fundraiser raised awareness for children with needs in the South Asian Community as well as funds for Reach Child and Youth Development Charitable Foundation.  Parisha Gandhi gave a South Asian family’s perspective on Reach Society services to 150 guests in attendance and Monisha Jassi, Reach Behavioural Consultant, discussed the success of her Punjabi-speaking Parent Support group and communicated the message that help is within Reach for children and youth with special needs.

The fun-filled event hosted at Tasty Indian Bistro featured Mona Patrola, TV personality as MC, and gourmet Indian cuisine paired with wine and beer tastings courtesy of Tasty Indian Bistro, Peller Estates, The Wine List and Fernie Brewing. Just Cakes BC provided dessert for guests. “It was such a beautiful blend of culture and humanitarianism that filled the restaurant at our first annual Taste of Reach event. Oversold and far exceeding our expectations, the evening signifies the value that our community members place on ensuring that every child receives the services they need and deserve”, stated Reach Society Fundraising Manager Kristin Bibbs.

Ian Paton, MLA Delta South; Ravi Kahlon, MLA Delta North; Mayor Lois Jackson, Councillor Sylvia Bishop, George Harvey and School Board Chair Laura Dixon attended. Mr. Paton volunteered his services as auctioneer on the spot to support ‘A Taste of  Reach’ live auction. Proceeds from the event totaled an incredibly generous $48,294 that will benefit Reach Society’s Building for Children Together Campaign.

McHappy Day 2017 Raises Over $10,000

Tsawwassen and Ladner McDonald’s held McHappy Day to benefit Reach Child and Youth Development Society again this year. Sales of Big Macs, coffee drinks, Happy Meals, iPad raffle tickets, socks and other branded merchandise as well as direct donations to Reach Society totaled $ 10,024.85. South Delta McDonald’s owner/operator Steve Krawchuck sent a “big thank you to our community for supporting children with special needs. I have been proud to support Reach Society this last 10 years and a huge shout-out to our volunteers too numerous to mention individually, including from the Delta Firefighters, Delta Police and Envision Credit Union.”

Local students who generously volunteered their time to perform at McHappy Day included Southpointe Academy Treble Titans Choir and and Holly Elementary Senior Choir.  Local youth band Chaos Monkeys performed, dancers from the O’Brien School of Irish Dance, as well as Maydays Choir including members with autism. Adult performers included Jenny Lundgren and Peg Keenleyside of the Jpegs Band and musicians Em Greene, Mike Greene and Irv Loewen. Long & McQuade provided a sound system to support the performers. Local media CISL 650 and Delta Cable were on site covering the fun. The event’s success is due to the untiring support of McDonald’s staff, dedicated volunteers and all South Delta residents who came out and supported McHappy Day at McDonald’s on May 3^rd.

Costco Gives $5000 Grant To Reach

Costco representatives Susan Domowicz and Susan Ness visited Reach today with a $5000 donation for Building for Children Together. Both Teresa and Susan showed a great deal of interest in a tour of our Reach office and learning about what programs and services we offer to children and youth with needs.

Dayhu Group Donates To Reach

DELTA, BC (February 28, 2017)  –   Reach Child and Youth Development Society ED Renie D’Aquila and Fundraising Manager Kristin Bibbs met with Dayhu Group’s COO Paul Tilbury and owner Shirley Barnett at Boundary Bay Industrial Park to receive a $50,000 donation on behalf of Boundary Bay Holdings, Astra Concrete Pumping, BC Comfort Air Conditioning, , CAN TEC Electrical Services Ltd., Landrock Excavating, Ottens Landscaping and Winvan Paving. Boundary Bay Industrial Park will generate close to $1 billion of economic activity and provide 1000 jobs in Delta.

Already a strong existing supporter of Reach Society, Dayhu facilitated gathering donations from other Boundary Bay Industrial Park businesses.  In recent years Dayhu Group has also supported Reach for the Stars fundraising galas for the last three years as a gold sponsor. “The work Reach does in the Delta community is immeasurable” explains Paul Tilbury, “and we are delighted to be able to support them as they move towards their new facility and a greater impact on the lives of so many children.”

“Dayhu Group’s commitment to helping vulnerable children in our community is both admirable and heart-warming”, said Reach ED Renie D’Aquila, “they have a long standing history with our organization and in making a difference for local families.”

“We’d also personally commend Astra Concrete Pumping, BC Comfort Air Conditioning, Boundary Bay Holdings, CAN TEC Electrical Services Ltd., Landrock Excavating, Ottens Landscaping and Winvan Paving for joining in our quest to support more children with special needs in the community,” added D’Aquila.

Wales Mclelland Show Their Support At Our Building Site.

Reach Foundation Chair Denis Horgan, Renie D’Aquila, Reach ED and Doug Scott, President of Wales McLelland at the new building site. Wales McLelland, a Reach donor, is constructing Reach’s new child development centre scheduled for completion in September 2017 in the heart of Ladner.

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority And Its Port Of Vancouver Gala Partners’ Contribution Secures Completion Of New Reach Centre Construction

DELTA, BC (September 16, 2016) – Reach Child and Youth Society, along with its building project partners the Corporation of Delta and the Ladner-Tsawwassen Kinsmen Club, is ecstatic to announce today a funding commitment that will complete the construction of the new Reach child development centre.

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and its Port Gala partners, DP World Vancouver, Fraser Surrey Docks, Global Container Terminals, and Western Stevedoring, together committed to contributing the remaining $400,000 needed to complete the construction component of Reach’s $5-million Building for Children Together project.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has committed $100,000 of that amount toward the project, and the Port Gala partners, which also includes the port authority, are contributing an additional $300,000.

The Port Gala is an annual fundraising event that brings together port tenants, suppliers and partners to help raise awareness and funds for important community organizations. To date, the five port organizations have committed $788,000 in total to Reach.

“As the federal authority that oversees and manages the Port of Vancouver, one of our goals is to enable thriving communities in the municipalities we operate in, including here in Delta,” said Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “Together with our tenant and terminal partners, it is our privilege to help support Reach serve more children, youth and families through this new facility.”

At a recognition event held today at Tsawwassen Springs for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and its Port Gala partners, keynote speaker and Reach alumnus Myles McKie shared insights of living with autism and highlighted the difference that support from the new Reach Centre will make to children with developmental disabilities.

This pivotal donation comes at a time when construction is beginning and the foundation is being laid for the new child development centre. “By investing in this centre, Port Gala partners are investing in building a future for children with special needs in our community,” said Reach Executive Director, Renie D’Aquila.

Fortis Bc Donates $10,000 To Reach At Chamber After 5 Event

Delta Chamber of Commerce After 5 Business Socials are informal networking opportunities for local businesses and organizations. This month’s event, hosted by the Beach Grove Golf Club, gave members the opportunity to witness Fortis BC’s commitment to the well being of communities first hand. Fortis BC presented local non-profit Reach Child and Youth Development Society with a generous $10,000 contribution towards its Building for Children Together project.

FortisBC funds initiatives that support stronger and healthier communities. Reach Society’s project will see a new child development center constructed to support children with special needs and their families in an easily accessible location on municipally donated land.

“We’re proud to be supporting Reach Society’s efforts to make programs, services, resources and support more accessible”, said Viviana Zanocco, Community and Aboriginal Relations Manager. “This contribution builds on a long history of FortisBC – and our employees – giving back to the communities where we live and work.”

Kristy Gill, Executive Director of Variety – The Children’s Charity, spoke to Variety’s long-standing relationship with Reach at the Building for Children Together groundbreaking event June 23, 2016. She said, “We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Reach with a grant for $182,700 towards construction and equipment for the new Centre. We were there in 1966 helping to build the original Variety Farm on this property, and here we are again, 50 years later, celebrating our teamwork that ensures kids with special needs reach their unique potential.”

Tsawwassen and Ladner McDonald’s hosted a feel-good, community-based McHappy Day to benefit Reach Child and Youth Development Society again this year. Sales of Red boots, Big Macs, coffee drinks, Happy Meals, socks and other branded merchandise as well as direct donations to Reach totaled $ 9322.00 “We are so appreciative of Ladner and Tsawwassen McDonalds and we really applaud owner, Steve Krawchuk for his tremendous commitment to children with special needs through this event for the past 10 years.” states Reach Executive Director.

Each year, the port authority stands alongside port terminals, DP World, Fraser Surrey Docks, Global Container Terminals, and Western Stevedoring, to support communities in need through the annual Port Gala.

In 2015, three local organizations, Mission Possible, Harvest Project, and Reach Child and Youth Development Society, each received $80,000 from the port community.

“The port exists to facilitate Canada’s trade objectives, and to serve the people who live in this region and across the country,” said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver. “The port authority, port tenants, and terminals strive to be good neighbors to the communities we operate in, and the Port Gala is just one way we try to give back.”

Last year marked the 16th year for the Port Gala, an event that brings together port terminals, suppliers and others to help raise awareness and funds for important community organizations. The gala took place on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel in Vancouver. A record number 500 guests attended the event and approximately $240,000 was raised for communities in need.

L:R (Jeff Scott, CEO, Fraser Surrey Docks; Joni Wright, Fundraising Manager, Reach; Dave Lucas, VP Operations, Western Stevedoring; Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Port Metro Vancouver; Maksim Mihic, CEO, DP World; Denis Horgan, Chair, Reach Foundation; Chris Ng, VP Marketing & Sales, Global Container Terminals; Tanya Corbet, Director, Reach Foundation)

DELTA, BC (Nov.30, 2015) –   Kees van der Werff, President & CEO and Simon Daniels, VP Transportation & Infrastructure at BA Blacktop visited Reach Child and Youth Society on Monday to present a $10,000 cheque. Reach Foundation Chair Barbara Wallick commented, “we are delighted with this generous contribution to the Building Together for Children Campaign and so pleased to welcome BA Blacktop to Reach’s family of donors.”

BA Blacktop has a significant number of projects underway in the Delta area and were happy to have an opportunity to support a local charity. Simon Daniels explained: “in 2016, BA Blacktop Ltd. will celebrate our 60th Anniversary. We believe a company lasts this long because we work hard to be responsible and accountable, and to be a positive contributor to the community. Reach Child and Youth Society helps families with special needs to have a better life together. We see Reach as a Social Partner who clearly demonstrates our core values of helping others and building together.”

PHOTO L:R (Barbara Wallick, Tanya Corbet, Simon Daniels, Kees van der Werff, Renie D’Aquila, Joni Wright)

DELTA, BC (November 5, 2015) – The Ladner Village Market presented Reach Child and Youth Development Society with a $4000 cheque today. This generous donation to the Reach “Building for Children Together” campaign was contributed by the market managers of the Ladner Village Market.

The Ladner Village Market will be 20 years old in 2016. Emphasis on “Make it, Bake it, Grow it” has made the market one of the largest in western Canada and it featured 160 artisan vendors each market day this year. The Ladner Village Market managers, Bill and Tracey McKnight, Jan Salvador, Jill McKnight and Stephen Smith, presented the cheque to Reach at Kinsmen House in Ladner, the building site of Reach’s new development centre. Barbara Wallick, chair of Reach Foundation commented, “We are deeply moved by the local community support that this cheque represents.”

Photo L:R Barbara Wallick, Bill McKnight, Tracey McKnight, Jan Salvador, Stephen Smith, Jill McKnight , Renie D’Aquila

Reach Foundation board members, executive director and young graduates of Reach programs, Carson and Carter, were very happy to receive a very significant donation from Fraser Surrey Docks today. CEO Jeff Scott noted it was “an opportunity to give back” and that he was “pleased and proud to participate.”

Reach has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Fraser Surrey Docks. They were gold sponsors at Reach for the Stars Galas 2013, 2014 and again this year. Jeff is also a volunteer director of the Reach Foundation Board.

We are thrilled with the momentum that our building for children together campaign is gathering. Thank you to our terrific community!

photo L:R Jeff Scott, Carter Cooksley, Tanya Corbet, Jill Buchanan, Joni Wright, Barbara Wallick, Norman Stark, Carson Cooksley, Renie D’Aquila

Reach Child and Youth Development Society was grateful to recently receive a $25,000 grant from the First West Foundation – Envision Financial Community Endowment towards their Building for Children Together Capital Campaign. Added to another donation of $25,000 in 2012, as well as $2,000 from First West employees in 2014, this makes a $52,000 total contribution to Reach. “Envision and its employees have offered a myriad of support and volunteering over the years to take us closer to its ultimate goal of helping more kids,” states Renie D’Aquila, Executive Director, Reach Society.

The purpose of First West Foundation is to support initiatives that help create resourceful and resilient communities. The Envision Financial Community Endowment funding focus is on programs supporting vulnerable populations. Reach Society’s slogan is “Believing in Potential” and helps to transform possibilities into reality for children with special needs and their families. The relationship between First West and Reach is very much built on a foundation of shared values and purpose.

Photo L:R (with cheque) Barbara Wallick, Reach Foundation chair, Peter Podovinikoff, First West Foundation Chair, Renie D’Aquila, Reach executive director, Geoffrey Willers, Envision manager (Ladner), Courtney Roth, Envision branch manager (Tsawwassen )