Susan Cartwright-Coates’ contributions to the CKNW Orphans’ Fund are being recognized on National Philanthropy Day.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals has presented Cartwright-Coates with its Giving Hearts award, which acknowledges and celebrates individuals and organizations, volunteers, leaders, fundraisers, philanthropists and others who make a difference to their organizations and the social profit community.
The CKNW Orphans’ Fund, established in New Westminster in 1945, nominated Cartwright-Coates for the award because of her years of work on behalf of the charity. The CKNW Orphans Fund’s submission praises Cartwright-Coates’ “outstanding” dedication to the charity and noted it’s hard to encompass all the positive energy she brings to her philanthropic role.
“Helping others is a true passion for Susan. There is no job too large or small, she will roll up her sleeves and take to the task like a true leader,” said the submission. “Whether it is taking donations over the phone during our annual fundraising event or talking to the media about the many children who need our help, Susan is a grand ambassador and has always represented the CKNW Orphans’ Fund with grace and compassion.”
Cartwright-Coates, who has volunteered with the CKNW Orphans’ Fund for 17 years, will accep her Giving Hearts award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals at a ceremony in Vancouver on Nov. 23.
“I was very surprised and honoured,” she said of her nomination. “I have received a lot of accolades from within the community for my work, but this sort of takes it to the next level.”
Each Christmas, Cartwright Jewellers holds a fundraiser for the CKNW Orphans’ Fund through the sale of stuffed animals or Christmas ornaments. All of the proceeds go to the CKNW Orphans’ Fund.
“To date, not including this year, we have raised $132,000 for the Orphans’ Fund,” said Cartwright-Coates. “What it makes me feel is that one little store in New Westminster, if everybody does just a little bit, we can make a difference. Ten dollars at a time, year after year, we have been able to have a significant impact on the moneys that are given away to the Orphans’ Fund.”
Cartwright-Coates, a former member of the fund’s board of directors, currently serves on its grants committee.
“Always there are more applications than there is funding. Sometimes some very hard conversations have to be had, trying to make sure the dollars are going where they are most needed and where they can be most utilized,” said Cartwright-Coates. “There’s many families who have physical challenges or mental challenges that they need that extra help. They need that wheelchair ramp built because they can’t financially afford to have that, or just sending a children to camp.”
What's happening this year?
Cartwright Jewellers is once again raising funds for the CKNW Orphans’ Fund during the holiday season.
In past years, the jewelry store has sold items like stuffed animals or Christmas ornaments to raise funds for the charity.
“This year we have snow globes. We are looking at the inner child in all of us for one thing, and it’s a children’s charity,” said Susan Cartwright-Coates, president of Cartwright Jewellers Ltd. “They are little snowmen dressed up like Santa Claus in a variety of vehicles – a jeep, a snow plough, an airplane and a snowmobile. They are very cute.”
The globes are available at 639 Sixth St. and are $10 each, with the entire proceeds going to the CKNW Orphans’ Fund. With each donation, people will have their name entered into a draw for a $1,500 diamond pendant.
