Major Community Sponsorships
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
In 2018, Baker Newby announced the creation of a matching grant program in support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Fraser Valley. The program matched dollar for dollar all local donations received up to a maximum of $20,000. This amount provided approximately 200 infants and toddlers with a book per month until age 5.
“We’re grateful to have been part of the communities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack for such a long period”, said Baker Newby Administrator Tim Wurtz. “Many of our 75 lawyers and associates are passionate advocates for early literacy. Children with access to books and exposed to reading prior to kindergarten are more likely to achieve academic success”.
One of the reasons Baker Newby chose Imagination Library is to highlight childhood literacy as a fundamental building block to community and personal success. “We hope individuals, businesses, faith groups and service clubs will feel as inspired as we are to help shine the spotlight on the benefits of early childhood literacy”, Wurtz said.
Dolly Parton, best known as a country music entertainer started the Imagination Library in 1995 to help improve childhood literacy in her home county in Tennessee. Since that time, the program has grown significantly, with 170 affiliates in Canada, and 35 in British Columbia. Enrolled children receive an age-appropriate book each month in the mail from birth to age five. There is no charge to register and the books are free. Book selections include classic titles like the Little Engine that Could along with books that reflect Canadian values and history including “Counting on Snow” by local Harrison author Maxwell Newhouse.
The Dolly Parton Foundation provides program administrative support, but book costs are covered through local fundraising efforts. Brian Martin, of Made to Measure Performance and Engagement Solutions, saw the impact the program has on children and partnered with the Optimist Club of Chilliwack to introduce the program in Chilliwack earlier this year.
“Community interest and support has been extremely encouraging”, said Martin. “The support of Baker Newby’s matching program will accelerate achievement of our three-year goals by immediately delivering high quality books to local children who might not otherwise have access. Their generous support is the big break we’ve been hoping for and a shining example of their commitment to the children, families and the community”.
2019 Everest Canadian Senior Curling Championships
In 2019, Baker Newby was a preseting sponsor of the Everest Canadian Senior Curling Championships, Canada’s national 50+ curling championship, held at the Chilliwack Curling and Community Centre in Chilliwack, British Columbia. This was the first event to be held at the new Chilliwack Curling and Community Centre facility.
The men’s event was headlined by defending champions Bryan Cochrane of Ontario and two-time world champion Al Hackner of Northern Ontario. The women’s event was headlined by defending champions Sherry Anderson (and 2018 World Senior champion) of Saskatchewan, 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Glenys Bakker of Alberta and four-time Tournament of Hearts bronze medalist Sherry Middaugh of Ontario, who made her seniors debut.
2018 RBC Cup | National Junior A Hockey Championship
As a Gold Sponsor in 2018, Baker Newby was proud to watch our local Chilliwack Chiefs defeat the Wellington Dukes 4-2 to take home the championship.
The 2018 Royal Bank Cup was the 48th Canadian junior A Ice Hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior Hockey League and the 48th consecutive year a national championship was awarded to this skill level since the breakaway of Major Junior hockey in 1970. The tournament was played at the Prospera Centre in Chilliwack, British Columbia.