WCS Depot’s Annual Recycling Fundraiser
Every fall for the past 3 years, we have ran a recycling campaign at our WCS Drop-off Depot, 1493 Dominion St, North Vancouver, to raise funds for a different charitable organization doing good work in our community. All fees collected from recycling coroplast and election signs are tallied up and donated to a different cause each year, in an effort to shed light on various groups whose voices we aim to help amplify.
Last year, our recycling drive focused on the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, a group dedicated to supporting Indigenous people through cultural programs, advocacy, and access to vital services. The funds we raised will directly benefit their programs, which aim to empower Indigenous communities, promote self-sufficiency, and foster cultural pride. As we witness the meaningful work they do, we are reminded of the importance of amplifying voices and resources for those who need it most.
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About The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS) provides vital resources to urban Indigenous individuals and families through a range of socio-economic programs. Their mission is to empower self-reliance, responsibility, and prosperity for all urban Aboriginal peoples by offering services that support health, welfare, education, culture, and social services. These programs are designed to help community members transition into urban life while promoting success and equality for all genders and age groups within the Indigenous community.
VAFCS’s history traces back to 1954 when it was founded as the Coqualeetza Fellowship Club by a group of dedicated Indigenous leaders, including Mabel Stanley, Hattie Ferguson, Chief Gertrude Guerin, Judge Alfred Scow, Margaret White, Senator Guy Williams, and Chief Simon Baker. Their aim was to provide support for Indigenous peoples living in Vancouver and beyond.
In 1963, the organization was incorporated as the Vancouver Indian Centre Society and continued to grow in response to the needs of the Indigenous community. In 1970, the Centre moved to a larger facility at 1855 Vine Street and later, in 1979, relocated to its current location at 1607 East Hastings Street, based on a demographic survey that identified a high concentration of Indigenous peoples in the area.
VAFCS remains dedicated to meeting the needs of urban Aboriginal communities and is committed to the ongoing empowerment and advocacy of Indigenous peoples in Vancouver. Their work honors the traditional and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
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Previous Years & Who We Have Supported
We are excited to share that over the last 3 years, through our recycling fundraising campaigns, we were able to raise and donate well over $1K to various charitable groups in our community now including the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, The Harvest Project, and Dixon Women’s Shelter. We are proud to continue this journey of giving back each year, and we invite the community to join us in making a difference, whether through learning about these groups or getting involved. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more inclusive and vibrant community for everyone. Thank you all for your continued support!
WHERE TO DROP OFF:
WCS Recycling, Shredding, & Soil Depot
1493 Dominion Street, North Vancouver B.C.
Monday – Friday 9am-3pm
Saturdays 10am-2pm
Partnership Opportunities
If you are interested in partnering with us, to run a fundraising campaign for an important cause in our community while diverting waste from landfills, or if you are interested in becoming one of our Reuse Partners to redirect too-good-to-recycle items to those who need it most, please reach out to our Marketing Manager & Recycling Specialist, Charmaine Wu at [email protected] to discuss partnership opportunities.
Author: Charmaine Wu