» Facility Profile
Making a Difference
A Calgary club takes a unique approach to doing service and
giving back. BY DARREN KANWISCHER
month through Canadian Food for the Hungry International (CFHI). We have donated the pro- ceeds from sales of old equipment, held a 10k fundraising run (“Run for Belo”) and have had members fundraise amongst themselves.
F
I became aware of this opportu-
nity through a business associate at Fratello Coffee, the company that sup- plies coffee for our juice bar. It has been supporting Belo since 2004. I have heard of other health clubs get- ting involved in fundraising, but it is typically a one-event commitment. To my knowledge, we are alone in provid- ing ongoing charitable support in this
50 Fitness Business Canada March/April 2009
manner. This project makes an impact on my staff, our members and every- one with whom we do business. In November 2008, I took four of my
staff to visit the village to see firsthand the work of CFHI. It is two-thirds of the way through an eight- to nine-year sustainable development project. It was a phenomenal experience, an ex- perience of a lifetime.
ifth Avenue Club has been financial- ly supporting a village in Ethiopia since June of 2007. We send three dol- lars of each member’s dues to Belo each
Here is the message we send our members in our Belo brochure:
Fifth Avenue Club is making a differ-
ence in the village of Belo, Ethiopia, by adopting the village as a special project through Canadian Food for the Hungry International (CFHI). Belo is an Ethiopian village where
98% of the 55,000 people draw their livelihood from traditional agricul- ture. Inadequate infrastructure has led to food shortages, poor sanitation, low levels of education and an overall lack of organization and leadership. As a re- sult, the families of Belo struggle each day to meet their most basic economic, social and spiritual needs. CFHI is a registered Christian chari-
table organization dedicated to sus- tainable development and emergency response worldwide. CFHI initiated the Belo Community Development Program in 2004 with a focus on healthcare,
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