RICHMOND, BC – The fundraising goal for World Duty Free Vancouver has come to fruition after a six-year steadfast journey. World Duty Free Vancouver made a $100,000 donation pledge in support of Richmond Hospital’s new acute care tower, the Yurkovich Family Pavilion, in 2019. Through different community fundraisers over the years, they have successfully exceeded the goal.
World Duty Free Vancouver credits the achievement to its staff and patrons.
“It is truly a collective effort,” shares Elaine Xu, VP, Travel Trade & Promotion, Regional Retail Operations, North America, Avolta. “We are happy and honoured to be part of this important project. We see the need for a new acute care tower and know it will bring improved health care services and meet the growing needs in our community, benefitting people who live and travel through Richmond.”
To reach its donation target, World Duty Free Vancouver held various community fundraisers including staff-led charity sales, fundraising lunches, and donation boxes at cash registers. These initiatives have helped raise awareness of the importance of local health care and foster a stronger sense of community engagement and ownership.
As part of the global travel retailer and food and beverage player Avolta, World Duty Free Vancouver offers one-stop tax and duty-free shopping for travellers at the Vancouver International Airport. They have been a dedicated donor of Richmond Hospital Foundation since 2016 and received the Community Fundraiser Award in 2024.
“Each donation and each community fundraiser counts, because together, they can create a significant impact. We are thankful for local philanthropic partners like World Duty Free Vancouver, whose generosity helps bring our community closer together,” says Spencer Gall, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Richmond Hospital Foundation. “Their donation towards the future nine-floor acute care tower will help launch a new era of health care in Richmond.”
The Yurkovich Family Pavilion will enable enhanced and increased health care services to meet growing needs of the Richmond community, with a new emergency department, 208 in-patient beds, an expanded surgical centre, and a fully equipped medical imaging centre.
Richmond Hospital Foundation is currently raising $40 million for the new POWER UP Campaign to help provide more access, efficient, and patient-centred care through technological efficiencies and advancements in the new Yurkovich Family Pavilion. To learn more, please visit: https://www.richmondhospitalfoundation.com/campaign/power-up/
