The campaign to raise $6 million for the Children’s Health Centre at Surrey Memorial Hospital got off to a spectacular start with $2.1 million raised at the Feb. 24, 2018 Surrey Hospital Foundation Celebration of Care Gala.
Safe Software founders, Don Murray and Dale Lutz, set the stage with a $1 million contribution to the Caring for Kids Closer to Home campaign. A made-in-Surrey success story, the company grew from humble beginnings in a basement office to an internationally renowned company with more than 150 employees. Safe Software now supplies innovative data integration software to more than 20,000 customers around the world.
Surrey-based Coast Capital Savings, Canada’s largest credit union by membership, also came to the table with a $350,000 contribution.
The pressing need to raise funds to help Fraser Health expand and transform the 17-year-old Children’s Health Centre resonated with the 500 guests that attended the Wizard-of-Oz-themed gala that was presented by Blundell Seafoods.
The goal is to accommodate more children and families by doubling the number of outpatient clinic rooms, as well as to create additional, flexible space for day care and overnight stays. The changes will make life easier for thousands of local parents who currently drive their children to Vancouver to see specialized pediatric doctors.
The idea of helping more families receive care at Surrey Memorial Hospital prompted the contribution from Safe Software.
“The best kind of care is delivered closer to home,” Dale Lutz says. “Our family knows how challenging it is when you have to travel into Vancouver frequently for medical care.”
Don Murray adds: “We have done well as a company over the past few years, and we felt that this was the perfect time to make a gift that will help children and families in the community where we live and work.”
Foundation President & CEO Jane Adams notes that Surrey Memorial’s dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department provided 38,000 visits last year, illustrating that local families really appreciate having this type of care close to home.
“The phenomenal growth of this service over the past four years shows its value for parents living in Surrey and the surrounding communities,” she says. “We are fortunate and thankful to have local champions like Safe Software and Coast Capital Savings that recognize the importance of investing in children’s health care services for the fastest growing community in the province. When leaders step forward others follow.”
The Celebration of Care Gala would not be possible without our sponsors! The Foundation thanks presenting sponsor Blundell Seafoods and reception sponsor Qualico, as well as key sponsors Starline Windows, Murray Latta Progressive Machine, Central City/Blackwood Partners, EllisDon, Westland Insurance, Marathon Homes, Zenterra Developments and Inspire Dental. Also thanks to our VIP Table Sponsors: Berezan, Coast Capital Savings, TD, Canadian Western Bank, Miracon and TELUS.
And a big thank you to our valued event partners, volunteers, guests and supporters for making this night an unforgettable success.
To make a donation to the Caring for Kids Closer to Home campaign, visit championsforcare.com.
