Purica Foundation Fund was created by brothers and co-owners of Purica, Trevor and Jason Watkin and their spouses Marnie and Anna. “We realize that many people require special support and additional resources in order for them to make the most of life, work and play and we aim to provide that where we can, with an emphasis on children, seniors and animal welfare,” said Foundation Executive Director, Marnie Watkin, back in July 2016 when the foundation was first announced.
The Purica Foundation committee reviewed a large number of charities before choosing the Cowichan Hospice House project as the charitable organization to receive proceeds from their 1st annual gala fundraising event.
Purica is a leading natural health and wellness supplement company based on Vancouver Island since 2000. The company name is a portmanteau of Purity and Care, and the owners, have certainly shown they care by raising funds through their foundation to benefit the building of Cowichan Hospice House. In a previous press release Purica noted that the Cowichan Valley community needed, “A place to die with support, safety, and dignity, in a home-like setting. A place where expert medical care is provided, focussed on a person’s own goals and priorities.” Palliative care is available on the Island, but there currently are no hospice beds.
The Watkin family was always involved in charities while growing up in Cowichan Valley near Duncan, BC. Co-owners Trevor and Jason and their families felt it was important to give back to their own community, having received so much support for their business ventures from their hometown area. Once the Cowichan Hospice House project was chosen, they held a number of smaller events, and gathered a community of like-minded people to get involved. With hand-picked volunteers of friends and business associates having “connections” in the local Cowichan Valley community, the Hospice House fundraising committee spent the next year planning their first gala extravaganza.
The foundation’s inaugural gala was held at Mellor Hall, Cowichan Exhibition Park on November 4th and raised a staggering $130,000 via live auctions of luxury travel packages, silent auctions of over 160 items, live entertainment, and donations by over 400 attendees who all dressed in theme for the event, a 1920’s “Jazz Era” gala.
Cowichan Hospice House will be the first of its kind in the Valley, home to about 46,000 people, and beginning with at least 7 beds once the house is built with funds contributed by the Purica Foundation and others.
Marnie Watkin stated they chose Hospice House to receive the funds from their first annual gala as “we felt it was most needed and would serve everyone inclusively. Everyone is welcome if they need palliative care despite any other status.”
Once completed, Cowichan Hospice House will be managed by Island Health and it is hoped that the 7-bed facility will be completed by 2020, with capacity to increase according to local population’s needs.
