This month, we’re excited to share the story of two of our valued donors who work hard for their Chilliwack community and invest in what really matters.
Amy and Dave Waldner are Chilliwack residents and local business owners of Master Paintings and Renovations. They’re the kind of people who envision a healthier community and put their time and resources into making it happen.
Like a lot of people, Amy and Dave didn’t know that the YMCA is a charity. When a Chilliwack YMCA cabinet member and volunteer approached them, they learned why he felt strongly that Chilliwack would benefit from a new YMCA centre of community. They learned that the new facility would allow 50% more people to access recreational and community services. They also learned that the Y is an inclusive charity that provides financial assistance to 1 in 5 of its participants.
Because the values of the Y aligned with their own, Amy and Dave decided to make a significant pledge to the What Really Matters Capital Campaign to support the building of the new Chilliwack YMCA. In talking about their decision to give, Amy said, “We’re very community-focused. We want to make sure our community is healthy and we believe the YMCA will help us get there.”
Not long after Amy and Dave chose to donate to the Y, they got to see the impact of their donation first-hand. An employee of their’s had a crisis and needed child care support as soon as possible. They referred him to YMCA Child Care and were able to get a placement for his 18-month-old the very next business day.
It’s no coincidence that the organization Amy and Dave chose to support was one that values families and works to support parents and children in need. When asked what really matters to her, Amy said, “Family. We’re very family-oriented, it means everything to us.”
Thank you to Dave and Amy for your commitment to your community and for helping us ensure all children and families get the support they need to reach their full potential.
Here’s Who Else We Have to Thank
We would also like to thank our wonderful Chilliwack cabinet who have been instrumental in the opening of the Chilliwack YMCA. We are so grateful to have had their generous support. Thank you to:
- Wayne McAlpine (Chair)
- Jason Arnold (Vice Chair)
- Scott Bate
- Ken Harder
- Ed Kaye
- Casey Langbroek
- Eddy Mejlholm
- Maureen Murphy
- Scott Simpson