A 91原创 woman is one of the major donors to a new B.C. Children鈥檚 Hospital facility that opened last week in Vancouver.
Ann Blaauw, who鈥檚 been recognized for her generosity to her hometown of 91原创 through the year, was singled out as one of the major contributors to a new facility that opened up on the campus of BC Children鈥檚 Hospital鈥檚. It鈥檚 the new Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children 鈥� the only pediatric rehabilitation and developmental services facility of its kind in B.C.
While many entities and individuals helped to create the facility, Linda Nishida spotlighted the Blaauw family鈥檚 contribution in what she called a 鈥渉uge way.鈥�
In fact, a part of the new facility will bear their name.
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鈥淎nn is a long-time 91原创 resident who describes herself in many ways: Farmer, business owner, mother, grandmother. But one other word that鈥檚 evident to everyone else around her is philanthropist,鈥� Nishida said.
鈥淣ot only has she so generously given to many local organizations and causes, changing lives in the process, but most recently, Ann took a private tour of the new Sunny Hill Health Centre facility she helped to support鈥� As one of the most generous donors to the Sunny Hill enhancement initiative, one of the spaces there has been named the Blaauw Family Hilltop Patio, honouring her commitment to kids in the province,鈥� Nishida explained.
Children and youth from across the province, who need specialized acute rehabilitation and developmental assessments, now have a state-of-the-art facility at the new Sunny Hill Health Centre, which opens to patients last week.
Sunny Hill has been providing specialized development and rehabilitation care for B.C.鈥檚 children and youth since 1961 in East Vancouver. Development and rehabilitation programs completed a move from Sunny Hill鈥檚 previous location to the state-of-the-art facility at BC Children鈥檚 Hospital campus on Oak Street on Aug. 30.
This new facility is part of the third and final phase of the $676-million BC Children鈥檚 and BC Women鈥檚 Redevelopment Project which also included construction of the Teck Acute Care Centre and BC Women鈥檚 Urgent Care Centre.
The new Sunny Hill facility, made possible in part through provincial funding, also counted on more than $14 million in funds raised from the community, including a contribution from Blaauw.
鈥淚t seemed evident to everyone around her that she truly embodies the spirit of a philanthropist 鈥� all while breaking the mold of the label,鈥� Nishida said.
鈥淸Blaauw has] spent the majority of her life living the tough life as a farmer 鈥� which included long, back-breaking days of hard labour 鈥� week after week, year after year. Working side-by-side for years with her now-late husband, Tom, tending to the area鈥檚 first cranberry farm as well as her family鈥檚 poultry farm, she鈥檚 now able to see the fruits of all her labour decades later 鈥� and share its bounty with her community.鈥�
She was a major contributor to the 91原创 Memorial Hospital鈥檚 new ER and MRI suite under construction.
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And, her family donated more than $5 million towards the purchase and preservation of a 30-acre Glen Valley eco forest now owned by Trinity Western University and bearing the Blaauw family name.
RELATED: Glen Valley forest dedicated Tuesday
MORE: VIDEO: Documentary, The Blaauw Eco-Forest, details Glen Valley old growth preservation
Blaauw is still described as being loyal to her roots, but the impact of her generosity and compassion is now being felt beyond her local community 鈥� reverberating throughout her home province.
鈥淗er significant support of Sunny Hill reflects those roots 鈥� her values, her beliefs. She has always believed that kids were our future. And now, with years of hard work behind her, she has the means to help put that belief into action,鈥� Nishida concluded.
BC Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation president Teri Nicholas echoed gratitude to five of the larger contributors who donated more than half of the $14 million, including the Blaauw family, Dr. Hilary and Patsy Hui, the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation, Peterson, and the Lalji family.
鈥淲e are tremendously grateful for the heartfelt support of our incredible leadership donors,鈥� Nicholas said.
鈥淪unny Hill is an extraordinary community of children, many of whom face overwhelming challenges. And it takes an extraordinary community of donors to support their healing journey.鈥�
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