Two locally run non-profits are getting a pro-bono marketing boost, courtesy of Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical.
Kamloops’ Big Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (BBCYAC) was announced as the 2024 co-winner of Fox’s Wrap A Van for a Cause. They are joining the Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store in Vernon, who won in 2023 and will have their wrapped van roaming the streets once again.
Nominations began on Dec. 1, 2023 where 27 organizations were nominated. Voting then took place, beginning on Jan. 8 and Fox was blown away by the volume of votes, a whopping 225,091.
“We got great feedback, it was outstanding,” said Sue Fox, a co-owner of the husband/wife company. “We got really good participation.”
The Wrap a Van initiative started back in 2021, inviting the public to nominate and vote for Thompson Okanagan nonprofit organizations. A special vehicle wrap on a Fox service van raises awareness of the organization, and five per cent of the revenue generated by that van is donated to the organization for the entire year.
“It also makes us feel good,” said Sue. “We can be having a bad day but we can look outside and see their logos and realize that we are collaborating with the community in a positive way. It’s nice.”
Due to supply chain and shipping complications in 2022, Fox opted to run the 2022 winner’s van (North Okanagan Community Chaplaincy), for a second year in 2023 alongside the 2023 winner, Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store. Co-owner Ted Fox has since decided to keep the tradition going, running two charity vans again in 2024, one promoting the 2023 winner and a second promoting this year’s winner.
The BBCYAC is a wrap around and holistic approach to prioritize children and youth’s needs when involved in the criminal justice system. Previously, children and youth went to the police station and the courthouse to share their painful story with professionals, but now the professionals can come to Big Bear.
“It’s pretty beautiful, and the company is a very important piece that just wasn’t seen and they found a really good solution,” added Sue.
The Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store had a rough year, with a flood wrecking the businesses roof, and much-needed Christmas hampers in late 2023. Dale Christie, the managing director of the store, is looking forward to the positivity of seeing their logo being put on the Fox van once again.
“We were shocked to have it on there again, but it feels great.”
There were three runner ups in the contest, who each received a $500 donation courtesy of Fox: Sammy’s Forgotten Felines (Kamloops), Turning Points Collaborative Society (Vernon) and Vernon and District Association for Community Living.
READ MORE: Vernon van brand contest goes to chaplaincy
READ MORE: Nominations for 2024 Okanagan charity van open Dec. 1