A CHARITABLE CAUSE: Publicans give back to their communities
by Alex Van Tol

Shaving heads, racing rubber duckies, hosting fundraisers, running relays, swapping hair colours and…partying in their underpants? Yep, BC publicans are doing all this and more to raise money for charity in our province. Anyone who’s been affected by illness, disadvantage, or just plain bad luck can relate: we rely on each other’s kindnesses when the chips are down. Proudly, BC pub and liquor store owners are stepping up and giving back to their communities whenever they can. Here’s a juicy selection of what your fellow publicans are doing to help out.
Big or small, pub-initiated contributions are making a difference. Owner Bill Dempsey declares Harewood Arms “the fundraising king of Nanaimo pubs”. Last year, weekly meat draws in support of the MS Society and the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation raised over $3,000 for each. In addition, 2006 saw Harewood Arms collect $75,000 for local charities through a weekly burger-n-beer fundraiser. “We believe that if you help your community, they will return the appreciation,” says Bill. 

Other publicans share his view. Christine Van, Director of Marketing and Promotions for Vancouver-based Granville Entertainment Group, points out the cyclical nature of giving and receiving. “The community has supported us for the past 19 years, and we’ve done extremely well. Giving back is something we like to do,” she explains. “For the last four years our staff and management have gone blonde - or bald - for the Canucks Playoffs to raise money to purchase jerseys for the kids at Canucks Place.” Beyond that, The Roxy donates 100% of its door revenue to BC Children’s Hospital during the week-long Seeds band competition in June, and Doolin’s Irish Pub recently hosted a burger-n-beer fundraiser for Parkinson’s. Granville Entertainment is a platinum sponsor for Cops for Cancer this year; the group also supports Easter Seals, the Vancouver Firefighter Calendar and the annual fundraising gala for Face The World Foundation, an organization aimed at supporting Vancouver’s less fortunate. Add to this the company’s Charity Golf Tournament fundraiser for CelticFest Vancouver, and its No Pants Party in support of BC Cancer Foundation’s “The Underwear Affair” (funds directed at research into cancers below the waist), and you’ve got one helpful organization. And, yes, the group hands out extra undies at its after-race party - just in case someone forgets to dress appropriately.

Jason Fisher, Manager of Sawbuck’s Neighbourhood Pub in Surrey, says that owners Nolan and Sandra Fisher “have always believed in being involved within the community they do business in.” An example? Every year, Sawbuck’s hosts a holiday party, complete with gifts and food, for all customers who arrive with a donation to the South Surrey Food Bank. On Fridays, the pub hosts Beef-and-a-Bun by donation, with all proceeds again going to the Food Bank. The pub has rallied behind regulars in times of need, raising funds for a woman with terminal cancer and teaming with the White Rock Lion’s Club to cover the cost of another customer’s new wheelchair. Patti Oldfield, Manager of Surrey’s Fleetwood Arms Pub (also owned by the Fishers) adds that her pub is just as busy helping out. “We sponsor 25 sports teams in the area, and do fundraisers for Relay for Life [Canadian Cancer Society], SPCA, and local public school music programs. For six months we do a Saturday afternoon meat draw to raise money for the Firefighters Burn Camp for kids. We sponsor families through the Surrey Christmas Bureau, and we continually support seniors’ facilities in the Fleetwood area.” There’s a lot of giving back going on in BC.

Back on the island, Victoria’s Sticky Wicket Pub has just celebrated five years of supporting the Easter Seals 24-Hour Relay as the event’s hospitality sponsor. “We host the Team Captains’ Reception and the Welcome Reception,” says Sales and Marketing Manager Joel Chudleigh, “along with being at the relay to host VIPs, team captains, and the media for a BBQ lunch and dinner.” Thanks in part to the Sticky Wicket’s helping hand, the Vancouver Island relay has raised $5.7 million in the last 13 years. 

In Sechelt, council member and liquor store owner Darren Inkster frees up the hoses and parking lot at Gilligan’s Beer & Wine Store for local groups to fundraise through car washes. Gilligan’s also donates to the Sechelt Family Arts Festival, sponsors cadets and local sports teams, and hosts events in the pub - the most recent being a breast cancer fundraiser for Dragons Abreast, a pink-clad, riotous group of women whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. “We’re a small town,” says Darren, “so we get involved.”

Organizing fundraisers is a powerful way for publicans to rally the support of their staff and patrons. But there’s more to it than just cold hard cash. Giving back bestows feelings of well-being and accomplishment. Theresa Marson, Manager of the Royal Coachman Inn in Campbell River, reports that her staff raised over $2,000 for the 2007 Relay for Life. “It was an amazing event,” she says, “with great camaraderie and team spirit!” Reid Ogdon, Director of Operations for Vancouver-based Donnelly Hospitality Management, says the company’s 170 staff “really get into the spirit of giving” through their partnership with the Salvation Army Children’s Fund. “We give every employee a $50 gift card at Toys”R” Us to shop for the Children’s Fund,” he explains. “A lot of staff spend more than the $50 we give them. Last November we gave $12,000, and we’re hoping to hit $15,000 this year.” Donnelly Hospitality Management also supports Easter Seals 24-Hour Relay in partnership with Raymond James Investments, raising about $5,000 per year. For the recent 15th anniversary of Bar None, door proceeds and tips (matched by the company) were donated to Easter Seals as well. 

Not only are door proceeds a quick way to collect cash - as in the case of The Mirage Nightclub in Surrey, which raised a whopping $10,000 for charity during their 10-year anniversary party last May - publicans also realize the importance of making their facilities available for community groups to use for charitable fundraising. “We host two to four fundraiser parties a month,” says Heath Ferguson, Mirage’s manager. “We print up tickets for them to sell and we provide free cover and a free drink; the organizers keep all the money raised from selling tickets.” Pat Resseling, Manager of Surrey’s Hook & Ladder Pub also throws the doors wide for fundraising groups. The pub itself has hosted auctions, head shaving events, and, for 21 years running, the legendary duck race. “We have a creek beside the pub,” explains Pat. “We sell numbered ducks for $5. The winner receives $500, with the rest of the proceeds going to the Surrey Memorial Hospital.” That’s just ducky.

While some might question the motives of publicans who host fundraisers, asking if it’s true charity if it seeks publicity - assuming publicity is sought in the first place - I’d bet my buffalo wings that the wider community is in support. In fact, if a pub’s renown is what gets people out and contributing even more, then all the better. Why not use a little celebrity pull to get your message of support out there? And now and then - under the radar and out of the limelight - a simply outstanding contribution comes along. Such is the case with the recent $250,000 donation to the Surrey Hospital Foundation made by Ralph Berezan, owner of Berezan Management. Thousands of individuals benefit from Berezan’s and other publicans’ generosity and efforts. Who can argue with that? 

And what could feel better than lending a hand? BC publicans are catching on, and are giving back big-time.