The Power of Legacy Giving: The Classens’ Contribution to Community Care
Photo: Dr. Cobus Smith, The Classen Preoperative Centre, Nanaimo Hip and Knee Centre.
For decades, getting orthopaedic care in Nanaimo was a challenge. Long wait times, fragmented services, and travel outside the region were the norm for patients needing hip or knee surgery. That is, until a transformational legacy gift changed everything.
Eldred and Joyce Classen were known for their deep love of family and community. Originally from Saskatchewan, the Classens moved to Nanaimo, B.C., where they embraced the quiet beauty of Vancouver Island life. Together, they raised their son Brent, finding joy in simple pleasures like family outings for mini golf. Though all three Classens have since passed, their impact continues to be felt across Central Vancouver Island.
Over the span of ten years, Eldred and Joyce consistently and quietly helped advance local healthcare causes close to their hearts through their support of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. These gifts reflected a humble but steadfast commitment to the well-being of their community.
It was through his will, however, that Eldred was able to make his most significant contribution. The Classens’ legacy gift provided crucial funding that helped bring the vision of the Nanaimo Hip and Knee Clinic to life. At a pivotal moment, when years of planning were at risk due to funding, Eldred’s generosity ensured that the project could proceed. Today, the Classen Preoperative Centre stands as a beacon of modern, integrated orthopaedic care—serving patients from across the region with a streamlined, collaborative approach.
The Classens’ story is a powerful reminder that philanthropy isn’t about the size of a single gift—it’s about the cumulative impact of caring deeply and giving consistently. Whether through small, steady donations or a thoughtfully planned legacy gift, each act of giving helps build a healthier future for everyone on Central Vancouver Island.
Every gift matters, and we are so grateful to Eldred and his family for the difference they have made for the quality of care available to all of us on Central Vancouver Island.
Eldred and Joyce’s thoughtful planning also supported other causes they cared about, extending their impact far beyond the Hospital Foundation. Their story is a testament to the idea that anyone, through consistent giving and careful legacy planning, can create a profound, lasting impact on their community.
May is Leave a Legacy Month. Now is the perfect time to consider how your own legacy could support the future of healthcare in our region. To learn more about how you can make a difference, visit our Legacy Giving page.
