Our 2022 Golf for Life Presenting Sponsor is Canadian Tire Nanaimo, a wonderful partner to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation and our community over the years. Canadian Tire Nanaimo has donated close to $100,000 in gifts to us for medical equipment, fundraising events, and special projects. For example, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic they stepped up to donate dozens of 5 gallon buckets of hand sanitizer, thousands of boxes of face shields and surgical gloves to the medical team at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, local medical clinics, private doctor practices, midwife practices, First Nations medical centres, veterinary clinics, and any other establishments that provide medical care in our neighbourhoods. “I think we met every doctor in the city during that time,” said Marc Telosky, General Manager of Canadian Tire Nanaimo (pictured). “We knew supplies were scarce, so we wanted to make sure doctors and healthcare workers got first priority for the donations. We gave them whatever we could, whatever they asked for.”
David McClenahan, Owner of Canadian Tire Nanaimo, took over the business in February 2022 and was keen to grow its already healthy philanthropic efforts. “We know there’s never enough government funding available for service organizations that need it,” he said. “I believe it is my responsibility to support and reinvest in the community that supports our business. They are generous and loyal to us, and we are grateful for them.”
Canadian Tire Nanaimo has a wide range of causes in our region, focusing on the needs of their neighbours. Their primary cause is kids’ sports, providing funding through their signature charity Jumpstart, as well as providing direct funding to families for sports equipment and anything that encourages a healthy lifestyle. They also give to resource organizations that help people without housing and other marginalized individuals, schools, First Nations organizations, and of course, healthcare. Furthermore, 100% of their funding stays in the community. “I’m proud to have Nanaimo Regional General Hospital as my hospital,” said Mr. Telosky.
Last year Canadian Tire Nanaimo was the Golf Cart Sponsor of Golf for Life, the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation’s signature fundraiser. This year, they have increased their gift and stepped up into the lead sponsorship role. When asked what inspired them to make this jump, Mr. McClenahan told us: “We at Canadian Tire are happy to help this very worthy cause. The hospital takes care of us, and it’s time for us to take care of them.” We are so grateful to Canadian Tire for their support.
All proceeds from the 29th annual Golf for Life event will go toward the purchase of all of the state-of-the-art critical care medical equipment for the new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at NRGH, expected to open in late 2023. For more information about Golf for Life and how you can participate, visit www.golfforlife.net.
