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December 2023

In Loving Memory: Rick Buecking (1942-2023)

By Memorial Tributes

Farewell to a Travel Industry Luminary

With the passing of Rick Buecking on November 23, 2023, his family, his friends and business contacts from the travel industry have lost a remarkable person who impacted the lives of countless people, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, generosity and commitment to excellence.

Before founding his TLC Travel Leisure Consultants in 1982, Rick’s professional career started in the ‘70s with 12 years of honing inherent business, sales and marketing skills with CPAir, Philippine Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Along the way, he developed relationships with hundreds of contacts including travel agents, hoteliers, suppliers and leaders of professional sports associations, of which many were cultivated into lasting friendships.

During the early ’80’s Rick’s business was booming with contracts to represent foreign tourist boards in Canada who looked to Rick to promote their destinations and offerings to Canadian travel professionals. They included the tourism bodies of Thailand, Macao, the Cook Islands, Fiji and Hawaii. Rick excelled at organizing annual national travel industry road shows, his “Sunsational South Pacific”, Hawaii and Fiji roadshows to name a few, all designed to educate travel professionals.

As a natural addition to the representation side of TLC, Rick promoted many hotels and resorts to his ever-growing network of Canadian travel professionals. This entailed the leading of frequent familiarization trips, an activity he thrived in conducting personally. Some of the most memorable included the Phoenician Scottsdale, Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, the Crown Beach Resort and Spa in Rarotonga, the Watermark in Osoyoos and The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island.

Rick was an active member of the Vancouver SKAL Club, a worldwide organization of travel professionals. Serving as its President for 1999 and 2000 showcases his leadership and dedication to the industry.

With a passion for sports, football and golf, Rick led many travel industry golf tours and created the very popular and successful Mexico Golf Classic.

Rick was a devoted husband to Ronda, a loving father to Richelle (Spencer) and Thomas, and a cherished brother to Peter and Tom. He leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends who will forever hold him in their hearts. Rick’s loyalty, compassion, generosity, and unwavering optimism touched the lives of all those around him. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. May his legacy continue to inspire and resonate with those who were touched by his presence. Rest in Peace, Rick.

Rick was frequently admitted to the Nanaimo Heart Function Clinic during the last two years as he fought with all the complications affecting his heart. In true Rick style, he took an interest in all the staff and knew them all by name. They in turn developed a special bond with Rick.The Heart Function Clinic is a team of Physicians, Nurses, Nursing Unit Assistants and other healthcare professionals who provide education, assessment, support and medical management for people living with heart failure in our community. Their goal is to improve survival and quality of life for people living with Heart Failure by working with them as part of the care team.

It was Rick and Ronda’s wish that in lieu of flowers, your generous donations would be made to these wonderful care people at the Nanaimo Heart Function Clinic.

DONATE TO THE NANAIMO HEART FUNCTION CLINIC

A celebration of life for Rick will be held, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 11 am to 2 pm, at Speeds Pub in Delta BC.

2023 Winter Campaign Launch

By Events, Media Release, News

NANAIMO & DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WINTER CAMPAIGN WITH 1 MILLION DOLLAR FUNDRAISING GOAL

Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) is urging Central and North Islanders to support their local Healthcare facilities that are there for all of us when we need them the most.

The Winter Giving campaign is underway with a goal of raising 1 million dollars that will help fund the purchase of new and outdated equipment urgently needed to meet central island healthcare demands at facilities including Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) and Oceanside Health Centre.

This year’s campaign includes faces of local islanders who share how their local hospital and the healthcare providers have been there for them through the many stages of life. These faces and stories include a Salt Spring Island mom needing urgent care when going into premature labour, a nine-time surgical patient and retired Oceanside business owner not wanting to slow down his global retirement travel, a former Nanaimo School District teacher and dedicated philanthropist, and NRGH’s own healthcare workers.

Videos and stories from our local spokes-patients sharing the needs of the Foundation this giving season can be viewed here.

“We can’t think of a better way to showcase the incredible need of our hospitals than to share these real examples from everyday islanders like you and me,” shared Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation CEO Barney Perry-Ellis. “Every day our medical professionals are providing the very best care to real people, and today we are asking everyone North of Malahat to support the urgent equipment needs at NRGH and Oceanside Health Centre.”

The community is invited as NRGH lights up for the holiday season with the annual Light the Trees event on December 1, 2023. Presented by Wenner, this family friendly event includes a visit from Santa, live holiday music, toy drive to ensure every child in the hospital this holiday season has a gift to open, as well as a drive through donation station supported by the live on location team at The Wave 102.3. The event is free of charge and kicks off at 4:30pm with lights illuminated at 5pm.

In addition to the winter campaign, the Foundation is building on the success of our inaugural Giving Tuesday campaign in 2022.  This year’s Giving Tuesday campaign returns Tuesday, November 28th. Donations will be used to fund critical care patient beds for the future High Acuity Unit at NRGH, each with a price tag of $50,000. Thanks to a generous donor, every contribution will be matched to a maximum of $100,000, doubling the giving potential with the goal to fund four HAU beds this Giving Tuesday.

“As our region grows, the need of the hospital grows with it, and the need has never been greater. We know our community always shows up when we need them most, so together we will reach our fundraising goal to support the medical needs of our community,” shares Ellis-Perry. Donations can be made online at nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.

Giving Tuesday 2023

By Events, Media Release, News, Thank You!

NANAIMO & DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION RAISES $243,157 IN SINGLE DAY

Giving was top of mind for everyone this past Tuesday, and that was shown most generously for the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (NDHF). Through community and corporate support, the Foundation was able to more than double the Giving Tuesday goal of $100,000 with a total single day total of donations raised of $243,157.

By the midpoint of Giving Tuesday individual donations had grown totals of just over $65,500. That evening corporate donors joined Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation staff for an appreciation event where corporate donations were presented, and the goal was significantly surpassed.

Corporate donations included significant gifts from the Nanaimo Port Authority, Re/Max Realtor Shannon Gorgichuk, Nanaimo Community Theater Group, Nanaimo Airport Commission, Royal Canadian Legion – Seaview Centennial #257, and the Nanaimo Community Foundation with a $50,000 final donation of the evening.

“From individual donations of every denomination to the incredible support of our corporate partners and community friends, we were able to fund urgently needed critical care beds for our future High Acuity Unit. Beds, that as everyone who has waited in an ER recently knows will instantly make an impact for our hospital and healthcare workers, shared NDFH CEO Barney Ellis-Perry

The initial goal of Giving Tuesday was to raise enough money to fund 4 patient beds. With the totals received it will provide 5 beds for the future High Acuity Unit.

Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation Board Chair Tony Harris spoke at the Giving Tuesday event, recounting his own experiences with his children being born at NRGH and the support he received when his family needed it most. “Nothing is more important than supporting healthcare right now,” shared Harris.

The Winter Giving campaign for NDHF is underway with a goal of raising 1 million dollars that will help fund the purchase of new and outdated equipment urgently needed to meet central island healthcare demands at facilities including Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) and Oceanside Health Centre.

“As our region grows, the need of the hospital grows with it, and the need has never been greater. We know our community always shows up when we need them most, so together we will reach our fundraising goal to support the medical needs of our community,” shares Ellis-Perry. Donations can be made online at nanaimohospitalfoundation.com.