Charities benefit from HyLife support

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This article was published 27/08/2020 (1934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The annual HyLife Fun Days scheduled for March didn’t take place as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped the company from donating funds to five charities.

President and CEO Grant Lazaruk announced Thursday that $200,500 will be divided amongst the selected charities.

“It was unfortunate that we had to cancel the event back in March,” he said in a press release. “We felt it was more important that we hold to the commitments we made to our selected charities. Our Fun Days committee talked with our sponsors, suppliers and vendors and we all agreed that we would continue as usual despite not being able to host the community at the HyLife Centre.”

Two of the five charities exist in southeast Manitoba and representatives say the money is needed now more than ever.

El’ Dad, an organization that provides vocational skill development in conjunction with their Social Enterprise, which provides products and services to the community, was one recipient.

Kevin Drain, Director at El’ Dad Ranch said the $40,500 donation will be used for their social enterprise which raises money to give participants a training allowance and give back to the community.

“It’s really amazing how HyLife was able to come through with this donation,” he said. “Our participants were looking forward to the actual event and donating some of their time and being involved. The cancellation was disappointing. But it really is amazing that that HyLife and the sponsors were still able to give this money to us.”

El’ Dad also supports individuals through residential homes, supported independent living, and home share arrangements. They also run an alternative justice program for men with intellectual disabilities who are in conflict with the law.

Red Rock Bible Camp, a Christian year-round retreat facility in the Whiteshell Provincial Park also received funding. Established in 1947, the camp usually hosts eight weeks of summer camp for Grade 3-12 students.

Board Chair Brent Giesbrecht said they appreciate the money.

“Due to COVID-19 our revenue streams from spring and fall are nonexistent,” he said. “This will allow us to keep the camp open.”

Red Rock Bible Camp is a not-for-profit organization, a member of Christian Camping International and an accredited member of the Manitoba Camping Association.

The story of needing the funding desperately is a familiar one for the other recipients as well.

The Movement Centre of Manitoba, is a privately funded charitable organization that helps children and adults living with neurological motor disabilities caused by cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain injury, developmental delays, spina bifida and Parkinson’s disease.

Olivia Doerksen, executive director, said all their third party fundraising events were cancelled this year.

“We have to fundraise $700,000 every year to break even,” she said. “This donation makes a huge difference.”

The Killarney Flying Club received a donation they will put towards the construction of a STARS helipad.

The Beautiful Plains Community Medical Clinic in Neepawa also received funds from HyLife.

The annual HyLife Fun Days charity event has made an impact since it began, raising over $1.2 million for local charities.