Last Tuesday, April 2, EVA BC had the opportunity to showcase its partnership with Susannah Pierce, President of Shell Canada, and outgoing chair of the BC Business Council (BCBC), at the BCBC’s sold-out Chair’s Dinner at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver.
The theme of the event, Strong Economy, Strong Community: Connecting commerce and causes, brought together leaders from three local charitable non-profits: EVA BC, Covenant House, and Power to Be, to talk to the 300+ crowd and showcase their efforts to create strong communities. Half of all ticket proceeds were shared between the non-profits.
EVA BC’s executive director, Ninu Kang, spoke passionately about the importance of addressing gender-based violence and the role the business community can play to engage and support non-profit organizations to carry out the work.
“We were thrilled to be invited to profile our collaboration with Susannah Pierce of Shell Canada and George Chayka of the BC Lions in support of our Be More Than a Bystander high school youth education program,” said Kang. “We are excited by the enthusiastic response of business leaders to work with us to end gender-based violence and support thriving communities.”
Shell Canada is now a sponsor of the 13-year-old program that brings young BC Lions players in front of high school students to highlight simple ways that young people can help end gender-based violence, harassment and hate.
BCBC President and CEO, Laura Jones said, “business and charities both create hope. Businesses generate income and growth, which gives us resources for everything from charitable donations to more government investments in healthcare. Charitable organizations create hope on a very personal level working with individuals. Both contribute to vibrant communities that we can all be proud of and it was amazing to have an event to celebrate that.”
