Westshore Terminals donates $100,000 to Reach Building Project
In February Westshore Terminals LTD Partnership reached out to the community and donated $100,000 to Reach Child and Youth Development Society’s Building for Children Together capital project to build a new child development centre in Ladner for children and youth with developmental disabilities.
The proposed new centre will be built in the heart of Ladner, allowing greater accessibility and space for more programs, and providing vital services to more children and youths with disabilities.
“We believe that it’s not only good to support our community, but that it’s our duty to support our community,” said Denis Horgan, vice-president and general manager of Westshore Terminals. “Building this new facility in Ladner will just be a tremendous asset for the community.”
In addition to this donation Westshore was recently a presenting sponsor for the Reach for the Stars gala that raised $50,000 towards the new centre.
Westshore Terminals Ltd. at Roberts Bank is part of Port Metro Vancouver and has been part of the Delta community for close to 40 years. They have grown into the busiest single-export coal terminal in all of North America bringing in billions of dollars of export revenue for Canada and B.C. The majority of Westshore’s 300 or so workforce come from the South Delta, Surrey and North Delta areas, and the company makes a point of contributing to the betterment of Delta. Other donations have gone to many local charities including the Delta Sports Development Centre, Delta Hospice Society, Delta Friendly Fire Fighters, Delta Hospital Foundation, OWL, and Burns Bog Conservation Society, Delta Dry Grad and various school teams and other organizations.
“Westshore Terminals’ contribution to our capital campaign is both significant and pivotal,” said Barbara Wallick, chair for Reach Charitable Foundation. “Westshore’s donation to Reach brings us just shy of this year’s $1 million goal from the total of $4 million that needs to be raised. We anticipate other Port-related companies will now follow Westshore Terminals’ leadership and join in helping us support vulnerable children in our community. We are extremely grateful to Westshore for their generosity and the social responsibility demonstrated through their support.”
The project is a partnership between the Corporation of Delta, Reach Child and Youth Development Society and the Ladner Tsawwassen Kinsmen Club. The Corporation of Delta has provided the land, which is valued in excess of $1 million. Reach, along with their partners the Kinsmen Club, will raise the funds to build the new 20,000-square-foot centre, which will be located at 5050, 47th Avenue in Ladner, currently the Kin House. In addition to a meeting space for the Kinsmen Club and an expanded community events room, the centre will have designated areas for Reach programs and services including therapy rooms, counseling rooms, specialized lending libraries, and an inclusive preschool with an outdoor accessible playground. The centre will also have additional space for much-needed programs for youth with special needs such as pre-vocational training and life skills development.
“Our community’s greatest asset is its youth,” said Horgan. “Reach really works hard to make sure all youth, no matter what their abilities are, reach their potential. I think that’s vital for our community. We are very proud and happy to support Reach, and we urge all other businesses in South Delta and North Delta to support this worthwhile project.”
Reach is welcoming donations from community and service groups, corporations, businesses, foundations and individuals to the Building for Children Together campaign. For more information, to meet with campaign representatives or to make a donation call 604-946-6622 ext.372 or visit the campaign website.
