Two charities, two distinct user groups, one thing in common: to promote a life without physical or educational limits. The Cerebral Palsy Association of BC (CPABC) and Room to Read are at the heart of an upcoming charity golf tournament that raises thousands of dollars for worthy causes.
The 2016 annual TMX Charity Golf Classic will be held July 12 at Vancouver’s University Golf Club. Now in its fifth year, the event is organized by TMX Group, owner and operator of Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange, among other businesses.
So far, these tournaments have raised over $350,000 with the proceeds supporting important causes and initiatives in the community, like CPABC. The organization is focused on providing information, support and guidance to children, families and adults living with cerebral palsy (CP) in British Columbia.
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC
CP, which affects one out of every 500 individuals living in B.C., is an umbrella term for the group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination.The association says it is poised to return to a significant position within the disability community in B.C. While it currently provides outreach, bursaries, community education, knowledge and referral services throughout the province, this remains at a “modest” level, CPABC says. Crucially, though, with additional help it can boost its support work and develop its programs.
How can the proceeds from the tournament help? CPABC says any additional funds can go towards programs focused on the vocational, transportation, personal security and housing needs of its community. It will also help with initiatives that tackle the transition to adulthood, social inclusion and advocacy for individuals with CP.
With an office in Vancouver, Room to Read adopts a global approach working in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zambia. Headquartered in San Francisco, the organization collaborates with local communities, partner organizations and governments to ensure that primary school children in these developing countries can become independent readers and girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions.
More specifically, the Vancouver office partners with schools to address gaps across three areas that are critical to literacy learning: teacher training and support, quality reading materials and child-friendly learning spaces. After assessing a school’s unique needs, it provides a tailored intervention to ensure students have the resources and support they need to flourish. So far it has helped three schools – two in India and one in Nepal. And to Vancouverites who may ask why they should support overseas initiatives such as these, Room to Read responds with irrefutable logic: “We do not see educational investment as an either/or proposition. Certainly every country could benefit from improvements in education, but in the communities where we work, a relatively small investment can have major impact in the lives of hundreds (or thousands) of children.”
The proceeds from the TMX Charity Golf Classic will support charities in our community and beyond. To become a sponsor or register for the event, please download and complete the sponsor package form or registration form, and return a scanned copy to Kelly Bourget by email: [email protected].
