BC dairy farmers are launching a campaign to raise money in support of BC Children鈥檚 Hospital this holiday season 鈥� and every donation will be matched to a maximum of $100,000.

For the month of December, British Columbians are encouraged to support the fundraising effort benefiting the largest public hospital for children on the west coast. Their sole mission is to provide compassionate world-class health care for all children and families.

To generate awareness about the campaign, BC Dairy created a life-sized gingerbread barn at West Vancouver鈥檚 Park Royal Shopping Centre in early November, and shoppers were greeted with hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies to make the holidays just a little bit sweeter. Following this festive event, a video was created to recap the experience, and it is being used throughout December to inspire viewers to contribute to the cause through donations.

鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly proud to be a part of such an important initiative,鈥� says Sarah Sache, a Chilliwack farmer and a board member at BC Dairy. 鈥淭he holidays are all about community and giving back. BC Children鈥檚 Hospital benefits families throughout the province and is such a worthy recipient of these funds. We encourage any British Columbians who have the financial means to support this worthwhile cause, and BC Dairy will double the impact.鈥�

鈥淎s a mother whose child was born premature at 30 weeks, we still frequent BC Children鈥檚 Hospital for neonatal developmental assessments,鈥� says Melissa Thibaudier, a third-generation farmer at Pickmick Dairy Farm in Delta. 鈥淭he exceptional work they do each day doesn鈥檛 go unnoticed. I am not only grateful to have had an incredible experience but proud to be to be a part of a campaign that supports critical and complex care provided by Children鈥檚 Hospital.鈥�

For more information, to contribute to the matching campaign, or to watch the video highlighting the gingerbread barn, visit bcdairy.ca/bcchf.