Local developers Gary Toor and Jason Tiegen have worked together on many projects, but their latest plan is to help raise money for those in need in Mission.
Toor and Tiegen have donated $10,000 to Mission Community Services and its food centre, and want to challenge other local businesses to give what they can in an attempt to raise $20,000.
Tiegen said it was Toor’s daughter, Jordyne, who came up with the idea.
“It was a couple of weeks back and I think her heart is for helping the community. I think Gary’s and mine are, too, but sometimes we need the younger people to give us a little spur on,” Tiegen said.
Toor agreed, adding that his daughter reminded them how good the community had been to them, and they should give something back.
“We’ve been developing in this community for a long time and the community has been wonderful. This is a time of need and there are a lot of people out there in desperate need, so we thought this would be a good time to donate,” Toor said.
While the generous donation of $10,000 will help a lot of people, the two men are hoping to raise even more.
“These are desperate times for a lot of people and we encourage other business owners in Mission to please come out and donate and help out in any way that you can. Whether it’s $5 or $10, there’s no number on it. Any donation will help,” Toor said.
They are hoping people will rally around the idea – and they have.
Casey and Mindy McPherson quickly came on board, donating $5,000. while Tiegan’s company – Tiegan Excavating – donated an additional $1,500, bringing the total to $16,500 in two days.
Michelle Puffer, executive director for Mission Community Services, said the donations could not come at a better time, especially for the food centre.
“Our food centre has gone through food a lot quicker than we normally do and that’s because we are seeing people access the service that weren’t a few weeks back,” Puffer said.
While the food centre had taken steps to change the way they distribute the food in order to enforce social distancing, they then realized that with so many people being laid off, the need for food increased.
“Every single day we are seeing an increase. It’s a very different situation,” Puffer said.
