The 3rd Annual Hope and Health Changing Lives auction is exciting news for Vancouver Whitecaps FC fans who once again have the opportunity to support Indigenous youth across the province through the beautiful game.
Launching on National Indigenous Peoples Month today, the auction will run until Sunday, June 5, closing at 11:59pm.
The auction will raise critical funds towards the continuation of their Hope and Health at Home “H3” programming and expansion into new Indigenous communities.
'Caps defender Jake Nerwinski and forward Brian White are both Advisory Board members for Hope and Health and have been heavily involved in the soccer side of H3. The ‘Caps beloved mascot Spike also makes numerous appearances throughout the year.
“Whitecaps FC have been on this journey with us from the very beginning, from the very first Hope and Health community camp,” said Deana Gill-Georgica, executive director and co-founder of Hope and Health. “They continue to support us in new endeavours - including the “Be the Change” Mini-Pitch Initiatives and participating in new start-ups this month, as well as visiting the remote community of Alert Bay (Namgis Nation).”
Not only does Hope and Health aim to encourage kids to be physically active and develop their soccer skills and passion, it also focuses on holistic wellness, incorporating mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural health as core elements.
The auction serves as a way to celebrate Indigenous culture and amplify art and jewelry created by Indigenous artists, businesses, and community members, along with incredible local people and businesses who are wholeheartedly committed to reconciliation.
“The artists and businesses that have come forward from Indigenous communities are somehow directly or indirectly connected to Hope and Health participants. We have parents that have reached out, or relatives, elders, grandmothers, [that] when we receive the gift, or when they reach out, they share a message of appreciation.”
One very special pair of handcrafted glass etched glasses and a bowl will be featured in the auction. The item was provided out of gratitude by a Penelakut father, whose son is a long-term Hope and Health participant and also a Whitecaps FC Kid Captain.
Another Penelakut relative made and donated 18 pieces of beaded jewellery in appreciation of the organization, program and impact to the youth.
Fans may also expect to see items included from Hope and Health’s other partners, such as a Helijet roundtrip for four, Soccer Express gift certificate, a Tigh-Na-Mara GC donated by core partner Kw’umut Lelum along with other special donations from local businesses and allies such as a Purdy’s Chocolate Factory Tour!
The auction will also offer a 'buy now' option for the 2022 “Light the Path” Orange Shirt co-created by Musqueam artist Debra Sparrow and her grandson Isaiah Sparrow, who is also a Hope and Health youth coach. Check out the story of the “Light the Path” HERE.
We encourage 'Caps fans to participate in this exciting auction for an incredibly worthy cause by visiting https://can.givergy.com/HopeHealth/.
For more information on Hope and Health, such as how to get involved and support the organization further, please visit https://www.hopeandhealth.org.
