The Canim Lake Band didn't win the $50,000 grand prize, but the local First Nation community did net $5,000 as one of five finalists in a province-wide video storytelling campaign highlighting health and well-being programs.
The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation started the “Share the Care” contest in celebration of its 75th anniversary. The insurance provider chose five finalists from a list of 70 organizations it has funded to help improve health and well-being in British Columbia.
The Canim Lake Band was chosen because of its Wellness Program and White Feather Health Centre, which helps ensure the social and holistic well-being of its community members by supporting the pursuit of culturally relevant, active, and healthy lifestyles.
More than 16,000 British Columbians voted online during the three-week campaign from Nov. 16 to Dec. 6.
Each organization was guaranteed a $5,000 donation for participating. Winners were announced in late January.
A $50,000 donation went to the organization with the most votes and $10,000 went to the runner-up.
The winner was the Nelson-based West Kootenay Community TEETH Clinic Society, which helps increase access to basic dental care for low-income families.
The runner-up was the Burnaby-based Charlford House Society for Women, which provides a recovery home for women ready to move on from their substance addictions.
The Vancouver-based Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre) and the Vancouver-based Streetohome organization were also awarded $5,000 each for participating.
“All five organizations that participated play an important role in improving health and well-being in B.C.,” said Pacific Blue Cross president and CEO Jan K. Grude in a media release.
“We are grateful to all of the storytellers for allowing us to share their journeys and to British Columbians for doing their part to share the care.”