Community Fundraising
Organize a fundraiser of your own or join an existing event. Get involved and help change the lives of those affected by schizophrenia.
Contact us to learn more
Fundraising events
Create a fundraiser for the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) and help make life better today for those affected by schizophrenia. There are many ways you can help! Start a lemonade stand, organize a car wash, challenge your family and friends by hosting a trivia night – the possibilities are endless, and your impact is priceless!
By fundraising for BCSS, you are ensuring that the life-saving programs and services offered by BCSS continue to help those affected by schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses.
Have an idea but don’t know where to start? BCSS is here to support you!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FUNDRAISER IDEAS
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More ways to give
Your support makes a difference in the lives of those affected by schizophrenia and helps us provide family and friends with “a reason to hope and the means to cope.”
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Want to sponsor a BCSS event?
Being a corporate sponsor is an excellent way to make an impact while strengthening your company's profile in your community and province-wide. Our goal is to create a sponsorship package that is tailor-made to your corporate goals.
Get Involved: Make a Difference
Community fundraising events
Are you an athlete? Walk, swim, bike, hike, or kayak for a good cause. Collect pledges from your friends, colleagues, neighbours, and family.
Do you have a special talent? Host a bake sale, art auction, or craft fair in honour of family and friends of people living with schizophrenia.
Have a great fundraising idea but need help figuring out where to start? We are here to support you! We can help you create a fun and rewarding event, or you can dedicate the proceeds of an existing event to BCSS.
Need some ideas? Here are a few local community fundraising events that have happened recently:
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A splendid afternoon!
Over 200 people gathered in Memorial Park in Maple Ridge to join the Mad Hatters Parade and Tea Party, sponsored by Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Chance Casino, and made possible with the support of local businesses.
Catherine Larnon-Trout launched Mad Hatters’ Parade and Tea Party in 2017 and tells us why she started the event. “I wanted to increase awareness about mental illness – especially schizophrenia – and begin to ‘Change The Face Of Mental Illness.’”
Catherine continues, “By bringing people together for a fun day, filled with free activities, contests, music, and food, this event works to break down shame and fear, and opens the door for conversations.”
This event features fabulous live music, children and adults creating their own “mad hats” (at a hat-making station sponsored by the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association and Co-operators Insurance) before joining in The Parade of Hats around the park.
And of course since the event is also a tea party, Notch8 Restaurant at The Fairmont Vancouver Hotel donated and served a sumptuous high tea. Now an annual fundraiser, Catherine how it all began.
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Simply Fintastic!
Dylan Eyers, owner of EatWild, and his family know firsthand the struggles of mental illness. His father, Bud Eyers, was a passionate fisherman who suffered from bouts of psychosis. Each year, Bud’s family and friends celebrate his life with several generations of passionate fishermen with Bud’s Big Fishing Derby, a fundraising event raising money for mental health education in high schools.
Over the years, Bud’s family and friends have raised more than $30,000 for this cause close to their hearts.
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Smashing stigma!
Sara Parker loved softball, and on one sunny Saturday in July, Cathy Parker gathered all of Sara’s friends and family to play softball to honour the memory of her beloved daughter. In the process, they also raised funds for the BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation. People in attendance shared memories of Sara as inning after inning was played at Hjorth Road Park in Surrey.
Making it home or striking out, everyone, young and old, came together to play their hearts out and enjoy a day at the diamonds. BC Schizophrenia Society CEO Faydra Aldridge warmly thanked everyone who came to support Sara’s Memorial Softball Tournament. Thanks to Cathy’s enthusiasm and efforts, the event raised $2600 through raffles and a concession stand! And what’s more, Cathy’s already looking forward to making this softball tournament an even bigger fundraiser for the BCSS Foundation next year!
Lastly, a huge thank you to Save on Foods (South Point, White Rock), the International Association of the Fire Fighters’ Union, and The Sheraton Hotel(Guildford) for their generous support for this event.
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Swinging into action!
The Kootenay Savings Credit Union was ecstatic to have been given the opportunity to host this tournament and raise $969 dollars for the BC Schizophrenia Society. It was a fun event they wish to do again in 2024. Reasha Wolfe, BCSS West Kootenay Regional Educator, is seen in the photo, accepting the cheque from Laura Katchen, Branch Manager Nakusp / New Denver, Kootenay Savings. Thanks for your support!