Grateful for the support: Dominik Beckers (left) and Omar Karim, the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the MBA Games Organizing Committee. Both are wearing Moose Hide squares in support of the Moose Hide Campaign.
December 8, 2016 - 9:00am
Matching funds will boost fundraising effort for Moose Hide, the Games’ anti-violence charity partner
Ambitious fundraising plans for the 2017 MBA Games – led by an organizing committee from Vancouver Island University (VIU) – have received a big boost, thanks to the generosity of a Canadian foundation.
The Games, a national business-student competition, will raise funds for the Moose Hide Campaign Development Society, which is working to end violence against Indigenous and non-Indigenous women and children.
The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, based in Montreal, is providing matching funds up to $150,000 as part of its commitment to the Moose Hide Campaign. This marks the first time in the MBA Games’ 30-year history that an organization has offered to match funds raised for charity.
“Creating a safe society for everyone, including women and children – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – is the responsibility of all,” says Stephen Huddart, President and CEO of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. “That's why we're pleased to support the MBA Games’ fundraising efforts that will contribute to the Moose Hide Campaign’s important mission.”
The MBA Games will be held in Nanaimo from Jan. 2-4, 2017, marking the first time that the annual event is hosted in BC. It features business students from universities across Canada who gather to compete in academic, team sport and spirit competitions.
As part of the spirit competitions, participating schools also fundraise to support charities – such as the Moose Hide Campaign, which is the charity partner for the 2017 event.
“We are grateful for the generosity of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation,” says Omar Karim, Chairman of the MBA Games Organizing Committee and a VIU alum. “Its matching efforts will provide invaluable support for the vital anti-violence work that’s being undertaken on behalf of the MBA Games and the Moose Hide Campaign.”
The matching effort comes in the wake of a recent Ottawa event attended by Karim; Dominik Beckers, a VIU MBA student and Vice Chairman of the MBA Games Organizing Committee; and Dr. Carrie Chassels, VIU’s Executive Director of Student Affairs.
They attended the National Moose Hide Gathering, along with other guests including Indigenous leaders, MPs and senators, and members of the social service and philanthropic community.
Karim spoke at a private event about the relationship between the national MBA Games and the Moose Hide Campaign.
The trio also took in other highlights, including a daytime vigil for missing and murdered Aboriginal women held at Parliament Hill. Speakers included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould and Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett.
“It was extremely emotional to see the ceremonies that were taking place,” says Karim. “It reinforced the importance of the work that we’re doing for the national MBA Games.”
Last year’s MBA Games raised $69,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada; of that amount, VIU MBA students raised about $32,000.
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