$50,000 Homecoming Matching Challenge and Show (7pm Pacific) www.facebook.com/VicCoolAid
Victoria Cool Aid Society’s premier fundraising experience of the year, the Homecoming Gala, has been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead the society is hosting an online fundraising campaign with a live guitar concert to raise $100,000 or more for people in our community who were vulnerable even before the pandemic.
From June 15-28, the Homecoming Matching Challenge will double every dollar donated up to $50,000, thanks to the generous support of Andrew Beckerman, The Viveka Foundation, Knappett Projects, Butler Concrete & Aggregates and TL Housing Solutions.
The campaign goal for this year’s Homecoming Matching Challenge and Show is $100,000 or more, raised through: online donations, an online musical performance, and through the purchase of locally-donated items on the Cool Aid online shopping cart.
“We wanted to find a way to raise the money the gala would have brought in to ensure Cool Aid’s clients aren’t left behind because of the pandemic.” explained John Knappett, Homecoming’s Presenting Sponsor. “So myself and some other supporters pooled together to create a $50,000 matching challenge. We hope we can make up for the lost revenue from the gala cancellation.”
In just three years, the Homecoming Gala has raised $394,000 to support people living with multiple challenges like mental and physical illness, poverty, homelessness and food insecurity.
Fundraising efforts will also include Canadian Guitarist Calum Graham who will perform a live, 60-minute concert dubbed the “Homecoming Show,” on Saturday, June 27, starting at 7 pm at Facebook.com/calumgrahammusic.
“As a working musician, all my gigs were cancelled when the pandemic struck,” said Calum Graham. “I wanted instead to use my talent to support a local organization helping the most vulnerable through this crisis. I chose Cool Aid because of the wide diversity of services it provides right here in Greater Victoria, including housing, shelters, meals, medical care and more.”
All donors will receive a tax receipt for their charitable gifts and there is also an opportunity to buy fabulous items donated by local businesses to support Cool Aid at coolaid.org/homecoming.
“Cool Aid does incredible work in our community,” said donor Andrew Beckerman, “and that is why I have been the lead matching donor since Homecoming’s inaugural gala in 2017. I’m confident we can take this past $100,000.”
In addition to our matching donors, this year’s Homecoming is sponsored by:
Media -- CTV, CFAX, Virgin Radio, Times Colonist, Used.ca Waterfront -- Peninsula Co-op Digital Sponsor -- Galaxy Motors, Megson FitzPatrick Insurance One of A Kind -- Calum Graham, Maximum Express
Information: coolaid.org/homecoming calumgraham.com
