The Battle of the Businesses Squamish wrapped up last week, and despite what was expected to be a poor performance for the fundraiser this year, due to COVID-19, it ended up being its best year ever.
“I was nervous about that because maybe they wouldn’t do it this year,” said Diana Frederickson, a founder of the fundraiser, about asking businesses to take part in the event his year
However, Fredrickson was shocked at how the usual participants were eager to join, and new businesses wanted to be involved.
The Battle of the Businesses was founded three years ago by Fredrickson, an owner of Sunny Chibas Fried Chicken Mexican Cantina, and Sea to Sky local Melanie Bradley to raise money for Community Christmas Care.
Businesses battle it out, charitably, to see who can raise the most money for the charity. The business that raises the most money gets to determine what is written on the highway sign at Sunny Chibas, for a week.
The contest raised a total of $21,555 with 11 businesses participating.
This was the first year the Copper Coil Still & Grill participated in the Battle of the Businesses.
“I want to get involved [in the community] now that I have the means to do it,” said general manager Marcie Brenton.
“This is my first year being actually general manager. So, I really wanted to do something my first Christmas and just like — come out with a bang.”
The Copper Coil raised $3,707 in the contest, second only to Sunny Chibas.
“I know with COVID it’s been really tough, but everybody really stepped up their game and it was really awesome. We’re really proud of our staff and the community,” said Brenton.
This year’s unexpected success of the Battle of the Businesses came at a much-needed time.
Normally, Westin Hotels & Resorts holds a charity breakfast to raise up to $10,000 for the food banks in Whistler and Pemberton as well as and the Líl̓wat Christmas Bureau, but this year it had to be cancelled due to COVID-19, said Darcy Reimer, a director for Community Christmas Care.
Reimer said that Community Christmas Care “found that out, and we got in touch with those three agencies, and found out what they lacked, and we met their need.”
“Because of the generosity of the battle of the businesses and the whole community, we had a little extra this year, and we were able to go to the food bank in Whistler and Pemberton food bank and [to the] Lil’wat Christmas bureau and we were able to donate to them,” said Reimer.
“There’s a few times that I received cheques from businesses, this year, and I was — I broke down in tears because I know a lot of these businesses. I know that they don’t even know whether they’re going to make it through COVID and here they are doing a fundraising effort to benefit the community, and that’s just the ultimate act of selflessness,” said Reimer.
For Fredrickson, growing up her family didn’t have a lot of money and Community Christmas Care helped them.
“Christmas is everything to a kid,” said Fredrickson, and “if it hadn’t been a thing, I wouldn’t have gotten presents as a kid.”
Fredrickson with Sunny Chibas raised $9,572 to win the 2020 Battle of the Businesses.
To get involved with Community Christmas Care click here.
