The Kamloops Brain Injury Association is no stranger to the KTW Christmas Cheer Fund as 2020 marks the third consecutive year the group has been one of the five organizations receiving funding.
Executive director Dave Johnson said the money is very helpful for the organization because it is funding without restrictions that can be used wherever the group sees fit.
“We can put this where we need it the most,” he said. “It allows us to fill in the gaps.”
And there may be more gaps than normal in 2020 and 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the kind of fundraising projects the KBIA has been able to put together.
For example, at the start of the pandemic, the organization was planning a garden tour fundraiser that couldn’t go ahead because pandemic-related restrictions were implemented.
And though the switch of the annual golf tournament to a virtual one was mostly successful, the organization was not able to raise as much through raffles as in years past.
“Survivors would have a book of tickets or two and go out and sell them,” he said.
“It was all dependent on doing it in person.”
In addition, the KBIA’s ability to work up close and personally with clients have been affected by the pandemic.
The organization tried to switch some of its group activities to Zoom with mixed success, as some clients don’t have the best computer setups or strong access to the Internet.
The Kamloops Brain Injury Association advocates for and provides specialized programs to survivors of acquired brain injuries and facilitates education and awareness in the community.
Because staff have been working more remotely in 2020, the agency is considering upgrading its database system with some money from the KTW Christmas Cheer Fund.
The system is old and doesn’t support access via the Internet, something that has become more vital this past year.
Johnson said that in spite of the troubles this year has brought, there’s some positivity on its way in December. There was some concern about whether the organization would be able to hold its annual Christmas party until members of Daybreak Rotary reached out with a suggestion.
“What if they [Rotary members] make dinner and deliver it to the survivors and we try to have a group Zoom and do karaoke then?” Johnson said.
Thanks to Rotary, the KBIA will be closing out 2020 on a positive note.
“We’re going to be able to celebrate together again,” he said. “It is really nice to get that extra bit of support.”
For more information on the Kamloops Brain Injury Association, call 250-372-1799 or email kbia@kbia.ca.
TO DONATE, GO ONLINE TO KAMLOOPSTHISWEEK.COM/CHEER OR DROP BY THE KTW OFFICE AT 1365B DALHOUSIE DR. IN SOUTHGATE (JUST SOUTH OF THE NOTRE DAME DRIVE/DALHOUSIE DRIVE INTERSECTION) WE ARE OPEN WEEKDAYS FROM 8 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M.THANK YOU, DONORS
Amy Berard: $25
Susan and Ron Durant: $100
Stella Frame: $100
Anonymous: $50
Anonymous: $100
Debra McNichol: $50
Anna Evenrude: $50
TOTAL TO DATE: $475
