Centra Cares – Page 3

Centra Cares Has Been Busy This Year!

Centra Cares has been BUSY this year! We have worked hard to help as many charities as possible and we feel that the results are nothing short of AMAZING! Check out this month’s update on what we have been working on over the past few months:

Red Cross Relief-Fort McMurray

When images of fire burning through Fort McMurray filled our television sets we knew that we needed to help. Centra Cares immediately went to work raising funds to put towards the Red Cross relief efforts.

Centra’s manufacturing team raised a grand total of $376.25 all on their own. In addition, Centra Cares foundation donated an additional $10,000 to aid the Red Cross in managing the disaster relief efforts and fund in conjunction with the Federal & Provincial Governments.

With the commitment of the Federal Government to match donations, our total donation came to: $20,752.50!

Blind Beginnings

Blind Beginnings is a BC based organization that aids in helping youth and parents who are blind or partially sighted to participate in unique opportunities to develop skills, challenge limits and achieve their full potential! Centra Cares couldn’t think of a better organization to contribute to, and as such this past June we donated $1000!

La Semila Ministries

La Semila Ministries is an organization based in Nicaragua working to reach numerous families within the local community by teaching them sustainable living and developing viable agricultural and business plans. They also work to mentor individuals and to introduce them to the Gospel. La Semila and Centra partners together once a year for an annual trip to Nicaragua to aid in their mission – but we also wanted to help them through additional funding. This year we donated $5,000 to aid in the continuing of their ministry!

Hope Haven Guatemala

Hope Haven Guatemala’s mission is to aid those in international countries, to assist them in overcoming their disabilities, and providing them with sustainable means of housing, independent living and social welfare. Centra’s $5,000 donation will assist in continuing their mission of distributing wheelchairs, installing solar lighting systems and building homes.

The Best Moments from our 2016 Centra Cares Golf Tournament!

We would like to thank everyone who came out to support our 21st annual Centra Cares Golf Tournament last week! We had a fantastic time with each and every one of you! We would like to thank you for your continued support, and thank you for helping us support the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada organization, and the BC Special Olympics this year!

We captured some fantastic photos, and wanted to give you all a chance to view them! Click below to see our google photo gallery featuring all of the photos we took this year!

Centra Cares 2016 Golf Tournament

Centra Cares 21st Annual Golf Tournament is Proud to Support….

Our Centra Cares 21st Annual Golf Tournament is proud to announce that this years fundraising efforts will go towards to wonderful charities! This year we are pleased to support:

Special Olympics: Special Olympics is committed to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of their family members, friends and everyone they touch. Special Olympics gives athletes the chance to gain sport skills and improve their health while enjoying training that could take them to competitions at local, regional, national, and international levels. But the benefits from Special Olympics programs go well beyond the basics: athletes experience joy and acceptance, cultivate friendships and self-confidence, and feel empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Athlete’s Oath:Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

To learn more about the Special Olympics, you can click on visit them at their website or through their two Facebook pages Here or Here

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Big Brother Big Sisters is working to ensure every child who needs a Mentor, has a Mentor. Their mission is to enrich the lives of young people by delivering and advocating for the highest-quality volunteer-based mentoring programs. Big Brothers Big Sisters has been making a positive difference in the lives of youth by developing and implementing a wide range of mentoring programs. One-to-one and group programs, for both in school and outside of school. They believe that by changing the course of young lives we can in turn change the course of a community’s future. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, you can visit their website or their Facebook page!

Centra Cares is proud to support each of these organizations and their initiatives, and looks forward to sponsoring them in our up coming Golf Tournament.

Centra Gives New Life to Wagner Hills Centre

When Wagner Hills Ministry contacted Centra’s founder, John Tilstra to assist in the renovation of Wagner Hills “New Life Centre”, the response by Centra was overwhelming!

Wagner Hills Ministry is a faith based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that has been operating since 1981. They have both a men and women’s facility, located in the Township of Langley’s Glenn Valley (Men’s Centre) and Campbell Valley (Women’s Centre). Since opening it’s doors in 1981, Wagner Hills has helped close to 5,000 men and women who are trapped in destructive lifestyles. Their programs work to heal men and women in both body, mind and soul, and incorporate counselling, worship, group sharing, bible studies, peer evaluation, education, and much more.

“The New Life Centre is the building which houses the kitchen and dining area, as well as the classrooms, offices, and counselling. It’s the hub where everything happens. The building is approximately 25 years old, and was in desperate need of a renovation “ says Justin Froelich, Fundraising & Special Events Manager. “When we first reached out to Jeramy, our initial goal was to see if Centra Windows would be able to help us with this specific project.”

Jeramy Smith, Langley Project Manager from Centra Windows, contacted Justin immediately, and after seeing what was needed, set to work helping Wagner Hills in any way possible. Smith says “I have worked with Wagner Hills in the past on three different occasions. They are a great group who do a lot of great things for our community. Businesses strive for profit, but sometimes profits is but aside to reach out and help those in the community. It is a small way we can give back and I was very willing and proud to be able to help out.”

Centra saw a way they could help Wagner Hills, and the result was the providing of all new windows and exterior doors at drastically reduced prices, as well as a $5,000 donation to the organization.

Garett Wall, President & CEO says: “We’ve been in business for over 30 years in BC. One of the things we learned early on is that success in business means you can’t take without giving back. Being a good corporate citizen is more than just creating jobs, it’s about supporting the communities in which we operate. You have to connect with community and find ways to align and support it. There are many individuals and groups who rely on donations and support from business to fill in the gaps for government funding or to support increasing competition from charitable organizations”.

“The response in donation of material, funds, and volunteer work that we received from Centra Windows was overwhelming to say the least. Many of our residents were clapping and giving each other high fives when we announced to them Centra’s involvement” says Froelich “ I want to personally thank you all on behalf of everyone at Wagner Hills Farm Society. To have companies and supporters like Centra Windows allow us to continue to help those who are stuck in addiction. Many of our residents go on to completely change their lives and give back to the community. None of this is possible without companies like Centra. “

Centra Windows’ generous gift to NOW Canada Society

When NOW Canada Society asked Centra Windows to come and provide a quote for replacing the windows in one of their safe homes, they were not prepared for what came next!

Based in Kelowna since 1998, NOW is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of housing and programs for women, youth and children who are vulnerable and at-risk.

“This safe house was built in the 1960’s and its windows were well past their sell-by date” says Liz Talbott, Executive Director. “We knew we needed new windows so wanted to get a quote to know how much money we had to go about raising”.

Chad Guidi, Kelowna Sales Estimator from Centra Windows met with NOW Canada staff and after seeing the society’s need, took the issue back to the Centra team. Guidi says “I was happy to help NOW Canada as I am involved with the youth metal health programs in Kelowna, so this particular job held a special spot close to my heart.” This resulted in Centra donating all the windows, screens and the front door to the society, and the installers generously donated their time to install the windows.

That’s where organizations like Centra can make a difference, whether it’s communities in need with a donation of sorts or a charitable organization in need of new windows or restoration work.

“At Centra we’re very proud of our people and culture, because giving is at the heart of who we are. Giving at Centra’s isn’t about writing cheques, it’s about the giving of time and resources of Centra employee owners to be able to contribute something more than just money, it’s important for us to ensure our communities understand that Centra does care, and so the name of our recently launched foundation in 2015, Centra Cares. We couldn’t be more proud to support the Now Canada Society and the good work they do.”

“Such kindness should not go unrecognized” say Liz Talbott, “NOW Canada is truly grateful to the wonderful folk at Centra Windows. NOW wishes to thank the generosity of Garett Wall, Ed Vandermeer, Anton Van Dyk and the fabulous installers Darren, Jamie, Peter, Kyle, Sam, Rick, Bryan. A special ‘thank you’ to Chad – for recognizing the need and for making this happen.”

Liz Talbott, Executive Director

NOW Canada Society

Nicaragua 2015: Live, Laugh, Love

Make a free slideshow

Nicaragua: Project Complete and Reflection

Wow, our team managed to complete everything we were tasked to do, and then some (minus a couple rooms of electrical). This was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been a part of. I strangely loved the grueling work and getting my hands dirty, especially in mixing cement. I also got to happily engrave ‘Centra 2015” in the concrete walk way. It was incredible to see all the children around us every day, taking the shovels out of our hands and wanting to help. Even with the language barrier, we could tell they were so happy we were there and wanted to help us. It felt so great knowing Centra was a part of this clinic project that will help many people for years to come when complete in early 2016.

It is crazy how fast and stressful life can be sometimes for us here in Canada. Being in Nicaragua reminded me that sometimes, one just needs to slow down and appreciate the things that matter the most; the love and support of family and the community around you. I envy the Nicaraguans ability to adapt and be resourceful in a simplistic life, with little to no technology or machinery, as they know no other way. Even though they do not have access to an abundance of food or water (two things that we take for granted every day), they are so happy and always greeted us every day with smiles on their faces and let us into their homes to just look and see what it was like to live there. Wally and Esther with La Semilla Ministries are so inspiring, and what they do in Nicaragua helped me really appreciate life in a whole different way. I am very grateful to John for including me on this trip.

Jessica O’Brien

Nicaragua: Why you need to be There

When going on a trip like this you often get people asking you, “Why don’t you just send money down to these people instead of spending part of it on a flight and accommodations for yourself? Also aren’t you taking work away from the local people?”. Possibly at first thought you may agree, wouldn’t my money go further if I didn’t have to buy a flight and food? Am I actually taking away from these people by going down myself?

Anyone can tell you donating your money to a good cause is a great idea but until you experience what it is you are donating to, there will always be a level of doubt about your choice to give your hard earned money to people you’ve never met. This is where being “there” (wherever “there” may be”) starts to answer and change the whole question.

Think if someone were to mail you money to go out for lunch by yourself versus that same person coming to your house, knocking on your door and taking you out for lunch and paying your bill. Which do you think is going to impact your life more as the person on the receiving side? Also, as the giver which do you think is going to be more meaningful and lasting experience? So obviously having someone take time out of their life to come and do something for you, even as simple as play soccer or build a medical facility, is going to affect you in a greater way.

But wait what about those poor people and the work you are taking away from them? As North American’s it is hard for us to imagine the reality that 80% of the world is living in. We assume everyone has a nice house, a car to go here and there, extra money to buy Starbucks, but this just isn’t the case. These are people who work to afford food and not much else. They are often walking miles to get fresh water, food or to get to the main road so they can take a bus to town where these things are available. There is very little luxury in their lives. You find very quickly that you want to work but they want to help even more. By working alongside them you are showing new ways of building or even just seeing life and in no way taking away from them.

By going on trips like this with Centra, I have seen the power of being there versus just sending my money. The people, your money is helping, get to put a face and name to the help they are receiving. As well as the fact, that a person would take time out of their life, away from their family and money out of their pocket to help, gives them encouragement and value. Being there, experiencing what it looks like day to day for them, seeing all the amazing areas of strength, happiness and success they have and being able to add to that in a small way is immeasurable. These people who often don’t travel farther than their own village or possibly the next village know very little of the outside world and being able to bring part of it to them so they can move toward a life of more than just survival is a wonderful thing. We all need to feel valued in life or what’s the point in fighting through the hard times.

Organizations like La Semilla Ministries need monetary help but almost more than that need people to come share in the work and education for local communities to have long term growth in these areas. It was an honor to travel down to Nicaragua. With access to medical help many of these people will be able to live more full life and through the continued work of La Semilla Ministries they will also gain access to work and food to further their lives.

Aaron Stockton

Nicaragua : Making Progress

Today we had a great day of production on the clinic! The concrete crew poured 75 % of the sidewalks, The interior wall crew are almost done the walls and the roof crew completed framing and installed 50 % of the metal roofing.

Carl stood on the peak celebrating as Jer installed the last screw! It has been quite humid the last two days but all the crew continued to push hard for a timely completion; Centra Cares Baby! 😉

I am very proud of how all the crew have worked so hard. The school kids from the neighborhood are always hanging around and trying to help; they like nothing better than to be allowed to contribute. As soon as they are finished they run back to their friends just beaming with pride that they got to help.

All the people are so friendly here. We are always greeted with a smile. After we wrapped up today one of the LaSemilla staff took us on a walk thru the village and asked if we could see a farmers farm. We were granted a full guided tour. He was very proud of what he has accomplished.

If it doesn’t rain he packs water in on his back! There is no machinery involved. It is hand sowed and the crop is taken off by hand as well. It is then packed up the hill. We were all rather breathless by the time we walked back up the hill. The farmer does this everyday. We could see that its a constant job trying to keep the jungle at bay, lest it take over his land. This farmer works with LaSemilla and their crop assistance plan.

Overall it was a great day. Its difficult to narrow it down to a few words what we experience each day, there are so many!

Jeff Foster

Nicaragua: Final Good-bye’s

A job well done by the Centra group in Nicaragua! Everyone of the locals had dispersed as we cleaned up on the final day.We say goodbye to the one boy hanging around waiting to play a final game of soccer…Only to realize there were many more boys waiting around the corner for the same thing!

We had enjoyed soccer games and mixing with the kids throughout the week so it was an odd, bittersweet feeling leaving them.

We can only hope and pray that they too will have an opportunity to get an education and to have continued health care from our new clinic we built for their future.

Adios, for now to our Nicaraguan friends.

Corinne Tilstra