A New Westminster-based business has made donations to charity – with help from Team Bonnie.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Patterson Brands developed #teambonnie merchandise in honour of Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer. Owner Rich Patterson was inspired after his father’s barbershop quartet recorded an Ode to Bonnie Henry (you can find it on YouTube by searching for Barbershop Quartet Tribute to Dr. Bonnie Henry.)
“I can’t sing, but I can make merch, so this was my tribute,” he said in an email to the Record.
After consulting with some close friends who work in prevention and support work in the field of domestic violence, Patterson decided to donate some of the proceeds of his #teambonnie merchandise to Atira Women’s Resource Society.
“We had well over 100 orders in a 60-day period and shipped T-shirts, caps and mugs all over Canada (B.C. mostly),” he said. “We sent the first support cheque to Atira on May 4 for $500. We chose Atira because we knew that domestic violence increased during the COVID lockdown. “
Patterson expects to make another donation to Atira in the coming weeks.
“We are hoping that, as we close out the store over the coming weeks – only 48 Ts to go, we won’t be replenishing – we will be able to send a second support cheque to Atira,” he said. “The donations to Atira represent approximately 25% of the proceeds.”
