As FortisBC employees, we’re proud to volunteer and be involved in a diverse range of events, initiatives and non-profits that help strengthen BC communities. Why do we do it? Because we have a strong sense of stewardship for the communities where we live and work. And at more than 2,200 strong across the province, we can help make a difference.

This past year we’ve supported more than 253 programs and events in 81 communities through our community investment programs – which focus on safety, education, and the environment or Indigenous initiatives, including:

• Cache Creek’s Beautification Society
• Delta’s Community Animal Shelter Tales for Tails
• Campbell River’s Neighbourhood Association
• Castlegar’s Selkirk College Elders’ Program
• Evergreen’s tree planting program throughout the Lower Mainland

Where there’s a will, there’s a way

FortisBC has a long-standing relationship with United Way, partnering to help those most in need of support programs and assistance. In 2017, we raised over $106,000 for United Way – $53,000 raised via our employee fundraising campaign that was then matched by FortisBC.

In other efforts, our employee giving programs supported 136 worthy organizations. And our Warm Hearts Charitable foundation that was created by employees, continues to support many different needs from hospitals and hospices, to shelters and youth centre. This year, Warm Hearts is nearing the $1 million mark in total donations since 1994.

Many helping hands

Caring for communities isn’t always about donations. Sometimes, it’s bout rolling up our sleeves and volunteering our time. This past spring, for example, we joined forces with Saanich Park’s Pulling Together Volunteers program to help restore Colquitz Park, in the Greater Victoria area.

When the Wilkinson Bridge was replaced, a FortisBC natural gas pipeline had to be relocated. A group of local employees volunteered to help get the park ready for summer, rooting out invasive species and planting native trees and shrubs to improve wildlife habitat.

Another rewarding initiative saw us team up with Douglas College at their Coquitlam Campus this pastummer to help plant an Aboriginal Garden. Featuring ceremonial plants like tobacco and sweet grass, and food crops like blue camas and knotting onion, the garden provides a space a for connection, storytelling and learning for about 700 Aboriginal students plus the entire student body, staff and faculty.

From the Lower Mainland to the Okanagan and the Kootenays, and as far afield as Fort Nelson, we’re proud to be a part of your community.

Learn more about us and our commitments.

Aboriginal garden photos credit: Tina-Louise Harrison