With the impact of the global pandemic affecting holiday traditions for organizations and businesses, some are finding creative ways to honour their staff and clients during the season of giving.
One organization is FWBA Architects, where the leadership team decided to make a $12,000 gift to support seniors and others with unique needs being cared for at the Covenant family of facilities.
“We all search for meaning in the work that we do,” says Christopher Babits, a partner with the architecture firm that has a long history supporting continuing care in several Alberta communities; including Lethbridge and Calgary.
Unable to hold their annual client appreciation event this Christmas season, the leadership team looked at where the company could make an investment that would have meaning and impact for the clients it serves.
“We are all in this together,” Babits says, “It’s a cliché but it’s very, very true.”
“We all have sympathy and compassion and understanding for the different depths to which this is affecting people.”
Babits acknowledges the pandemic has continuing care residents feeling especially isolated. Doing anything they can to support their wellbeing is especially meaningful for the team at FWBA Architects, as the firm was responsible for designing several Covenant continuing care facilities; including St. Teresa Place in Calgary, Villa Marie in Red Deer and is currently working with Covenant Care on St. Anne’s Haven in Lethbridge.
“It’s a gesture and we hope it helps a little bit.”
“We know the effects of the pandemic are being felt in communities all over the province – in hospitals, in continuing care homes and in households. Our hearts go out to everyone who’s been personally impacted,” says Tracy Sopkow, CEO, Covenant Foundation. “With the pandemic also impacting the business sector, we know that not every organization is in a position to give but for those who’ve come forward, like FWBA Architects, we are very grateful for the support during these unprecedented times.”
Babits adds that he hopes the move serves as an inspiration to other business leaders who are looking to make a difference by banding together while staying apart.
Written by: Laura Ehrkamp