Power To Play Vancouver raises $240,000

The fourth annual Power To Play Vancouver raised a record-breaking $240,000 in support of Power To Be’s accessible recreation programs in Vancouver and Victoria. Hosted in Stanley Park on Sept. 24, the event brought Vancouver’s business leaders outside for a day of philanthropy and teambuilding.

“We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, including presenting sponsor Goldcorp, who help us host this event in Vancouver. Since 2012, more than 500 racers have taken on the challenge of supporting Power To Be by raising more than $800,000. We are honoured by their commitment to philanthropy and community building,” says Tim Cormode, Power To Be Executive Director. “Their efforts have helped us expand our programs in Vancouver, allowing more youth and families to access adventures in the amazing spaces the nature surrounding this city has to offer.”

Power To Play Vancouver tasked more than 30 teams with a race through Stanley Park where team members ran, climbed, swam and paddled through challenges. Racers were put to the mental and physical test, relying on good communication, co-operation and sound leadership.

Ensuring they arrived at the race a winner, the team from Cassels Brock Lawyers (pictured above) went above and beyond to win the Act of Kindness Award by fundraising $17,095. Overall top fundraisers included RBC Capital Markets ($13,650), Goldcorp – which entered three teams this year ($10,310) and Lululemon ($10,200). For the third year in a row, the team from Tempest Capital won this year’s race with a time of 2:09:01. See full race results.

Through the support of Power To Play Vancouver, the event will help Power To Be reach 1,000 youth and families this year. That translates into kayak experiences off Cates Park, hiking adventures in Lynn Valley Regional Park and other nature-based activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to participants.

Notable participants included three-time Olympic alpine skier Manny Osborne-Paradis, who facilitated the opening challenge, which brought out business leaders from organizations such as Cassels Brock Lawyers, Silver Standard, Lululemon, RBC Capital Markets, KPMG and Goldcorp.

“Since 2007, Goldcorp has committed more than $1 million to Power To Be to help youth and families living with a disability or barrier to have the opportunity to connect with nature in such a life-altering and meaningful way,” said Christine Marks, Goldcorp Director of Communications. “We’re thrilled the event continues to grow and raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.”