Strong communities don’t happen by chance. They’re built through care, collaboration and action. From building safe spaces for children to play to ensuring food security for those who need it most, these efforts strengthen neighbourhoods and foster connections that can last well into the future.

Community Giving Days bring this spirit to life by uniting local organizations and volunteers to create meaningful change. A longstanding FortisBC tradition, we held three incredible Community Giving Days last year where employee volunteers, community partners, friends and families rolled up their sleeves to lend their time and energy to causes that matter.

Here’s a look back at the amazing work we accomplished together.

Devyn Makwana (left), Monica Hunter (back right), OH&S business partner, contractor safety, and Ketna Makwana (right), team manager.

Enhancing the outdoor area of Beaver Valley Childcare Centre

Children thrive most when they have a welcoming space to learn, play and be themselves. In September, our team headed to the village of Fruitvale to transform the outdoor area of Beaver Valley Childcare Centre.

Beaver Valley Childcare Centre is a non-profit preschool society that’s been shaping young lives in Fruitvale since 2024. The daycare has a beautiful building with finished sidewalks and state-of-the-art play equipment. However, it lacked landscaping to complement its entrance and a shaded area for children to enjoy on warm, sunny days.

In partnership with Public Works and the city of Fruitvale, volunteers stepped in to assemble and install a gazebo in the backyard play area to create a cool, protected space. They also landscaped the front of the building to make it even more inviting.

Through tree planting, landscaping, fencing, and shade structure assembly, this work helped create a safe, welcoming, and vibrant space for families in this community.

Jennifer Datchkoff, community & Indigenous relations liaison

But that’s not all. Across the daycare is McInnis Park, a beloved sports facility that’s been Fruitvale’s heartbeat since the 1950s. More than just playing fields, it’s a place where friendships are formed, where families gather to cheer on their kids, and where neighbours come together to celebrate milestones.

In 2024, this community gem underwent major renovations. We were excited to contribute the following year by planting trees at the park entrance and installing a new section of fencing to connect with the park’s existing perimeter.

These improvements complement the park’s recent upgrades, supporting spaces for children and families and making Fruitvale an even better place to call home.

Maggie Cross (left), community & Indigenous relations liaison, and Kim Halowski (right), community relations manager.

Bringing people together at Bob Rutledge Park

Known as the city of parks, Surrey is one of the largest and fastest growing communities that we serve and is on a journey to becoming the first municipality in B.C. to reach a population of one million. With this growth comes the increased need to invest in and support in the communities we call home.

In October, we joined forces with the City of Surrey Parks team for a day of hands-on teamwork at Bob Rutledge Park. Volunteers worked together to revitalize the park entrance by replanting garden beds and upgrading the pathway with fresh gravel. They also filled in potholes and uneven areas to make the space safer and more inviting.

Living in South Surrey with my family, I feel a deep personal connection to this community, it truly means a lot to me. Many of our employees live in the surrounding neighborhoods, raise their families here, and enjoy spending their weekends in community parks like this one.

Doug Slater, vice president, Indigenous relations and regulatory affairs

These words capture the heart of our mission: creating spaces where families can thrive. To bring that vision to life, the team also tackled invasive blackberry bushes, cleared overgrowth, and planted approximately 250 native trees and shrubs. Volunteers also removed weeds and spread bark mulch to help protect the trees from lawnmowers and improve hydration.

“This project reflects what happens when people come together with a shared purpose. It’s about rolling up our sleeves, getting our hands dirty and leaving something better than we found it. That’s the essence of community giving,” continues Doug.

These efforts not only enhanced the beauty of Bob Rutledge Park but also reinforced its role as a welcoming space for families and neighbors to gather and enjoy.

Roger Dall’Antonia (left), president and CEO of FortisBC, Glenn Hamilton (middle), regional manager, Vancouver Island, and Ian Phillips (right), Goldstream Food Bank volunteer.

Creating holiday hampers with Goldstream Food Bank

The holiday season is a time for warmth, connection and care. But for many families, it can also be a time of uncertainty. In Langford, the Goldstream Food Bank is working tirelessly to change that. This 100 per cent volunteer-run organization provides monthly food hampers to thousands of Westshore families. In 2025, the organization served 6,067 families—more than 18,000 people—40 per cent of whom were children.

In December, we were honored to join their efforts, along with the City of Langford, by helping prepare and organize items for the Food Bank’s holiday hamper program. These hampers provide families with nutritious meals, bringing a little extra comfort during a season that should be filled with joy.

These hampers support local families and individuals in need, and we’re honoured to play a role in this important initiative, especially around this time of year as we head into the Christmas holiday season.

Roger Dall’Antonia, president and CEO

Beyond assembling hampers, we committed funds to retrofit the Food Bank’s aging fridge and freezer to help ensure Goldstream can continue to store fresh, perishable foods for the community well into the future. But the work didn’t stop there. The following week, our Langford operations team returned to help distribute these hampers directly to families, turning preparation into meaningful connection.

“The holidays are meant to be a time of warmth, connection and care and through this effort, we hope to bring a little of that spirit to those who need it most. Whether it’s a warm meal, a thoughtful gesture, or simply knowing that someone cares, every contribution helps brighten the season for our neighbours,” continues Roger.

Coming together, we can make sure that families feel supported, not just during the holidays, but all year long!

Looking back—and ahead

From Fruitvale to Surrey to Langford, these Community Giving Days remind us of something simple yet profound. Real change starts at the grassroots level. Whether it’s creating safe areas for children to play, supporting spaces where families can gather, or ensuring food security for those who need it most, these efforts reflect the heart of what community means: people coming together to care for one another.

We see ourselves as a living, breathing part of the communities we serve. That means listening, learning and supporting initiatives that matter most to local people. Through our Community Investment Program, we partner with organizations that share this vision.

In 2024, we invested a total of $5.6 million in local communities through our Community Investment Program, donations and sponsorships. Through the Community Investment Program alone, we supported more than 300 initiatives in 76 B.C. communities.¹ We see these contributions as an important part of our efforts to partner with the communities we serve.

We’re proud of what we accomplished together and even more excited about what’s ahead. Because when we work hand in hand with the communities where we live and work, we help build stronger, safer and more connected places for everyone.

“At FortisBC, what is truly important is building stronger communities, not just through the energy we deliver, but through the relationships we nurture and the support we offer,” concludes Doug.

Through our Community Investment Program, we invest in four key areas—safety, education, Indigenous initiatives and environment—because we believe they contribute to the wellbeing of B.C. communities. Visit our Community Investment page to explore these areas and find out how you can apply to support your project or organization.

¹Source: FortisBC’s 2024 Sustainability Report, page 24.