In mid-November, parts of the Fraser Valley were hit by an overwhelming flood that destroyed several farms and left many without homes. When Abbotsford’s shattered community needed to be put back together again, the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund (ADRF) came together to help those damaged by the storm, piece by piece. The Abbotsford Community Foundation, partnered with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and the University of the Fraser Valley, delivered spontaneous efforts to rebuild the community during a desperate time of need and supply families with free meals and financial support after the storms violently disrupted their daily lives.
Craig Toews, UFV’s vice president external, graciously sat down with The Cascade to answer some questions about the work that the initiative has done for the community. He has been with UFV for 34 years and provides a deep understanding of the Fraser Valley, alongside his vast experience in the post-secondary environment, to his leadership role.
One of UFV’s main goals as a post-secondary institution has always been concerned with “building community,” especially in times of dire need.
So when Abbotsford was struck by a disaster that drastically impacted the Fraser Valley, Toews shared, “We immediately put our minds to creating a robust fundraising initiative that would provide relief to those affected by the emergency, with a view to supporting long-term recovery.”
And soon enough, the coalition surpassed $4 million dollars, “With donations coming in from countries like Germany, Italy, the U.K., and Australia. In terms of impact, the ADRF has already disbursed over $1 million and is working with and through several partnerships to maximize its reach.”
Through these donations, they managed to create an agency agreement with the Abbotsford Chamber in order to financially support farmers and businesses who lost their livelihoods in the wreckage.
When the fundraising coalition came together, “it was grounded by the long-standing relationship between the university, Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) and the Abbotsford Chamber,” Toews said, sharing how the three units developed quite organically over time. “In fact, these three organizations were involved in an event on National Philanthropy Day when the flood hit Abbotsford. The event was recognizing outstanding community members, their philanthropic contributions and stories of impact.”
Donations to the ADRF can be made through their website: abbotsfordcf.org/grants/disaster
