By Maria Doty

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Helping Wheels Wrap Up – Helping Nanaimo’s Non-profits

Oct 27, 2022 | 8:59 AM

NANAIMO – What a difference a year can make. And for Helping Wheels, it was a year of making a difference.

From October 2020 to September 2021, people in Nanaimo nominated local non-profits organizations to be one of the Helping Wheels recipients. A $1,000 cash donation, a video feature, and an advertising package was gifted to each group selected.

The idea 

Powered by a collaboration between Nanaimo Mitsubishi, Nissan of Nanaimo, The Wave, The Wolf, and NanaimoNewsNOW, the new program was designed to provide immediate help through the cash donation and then have a continued impact through increased awareness.

The impact

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6h ago

Skatepark refresh

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Being selected came with an exciting package.

Each featured group received

• $1,000 cheque from Nissan of Nanaimo and Nanaimo Mitsubishi
• Charity profile and shareable video published on NanaimoNewsNOW
• $1,500 advertising package on The Wave or The Wolf
• AND the feel-good boost of knowing that with all the deserving charities in the city, someone chose to nominate them!

Justin McElhone is the Dealer Principal of Nanaimo Mitsubishi and Nissan of Nanaimo. He explains why Helping Wheels was such a good fit for them.

“This was an opportunity to do something to make a difference right away. To hear directly from local individuals through the nomination process and then be able to help at a very local level, that was something we jumped at.”  

Over the course of 13 months, people in the Nanaimo area sent in hundreds of nominations for 95 different local groups. Submissions came through an online form at NanaimoNewsNOW and then landed with the Helping Wheels committee to take on the difficult task of choosing a group from all the deserving nominees.

The Wave’s Daryl Major was on the committee. He says, “The pandemic has shown us just how important it is to support local business. It also goes for local charities. Through the generosity of Nissan of Nanaimo and Nanaimo Mitsubishi, the Helping Wheels committee has helped a number of them. Their work is so important. I’m glad that we have helped them make a difference in the community.”

Laurie Bienert is with Nanaimo Foundation and was also a committee member. She says “The unique support from the Helping Wheels initiative aided so many organizations as they faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Nanaimo Foundation was honoured to be a part of the Helping Wheels committee and help select which organizations would receive a donation as well as the opportunity to showcase how they are helping people in need in our community.”

Regarding the impact beyond the cash donations, she continues, “The value of being able to share their story will be ongoing for all of the Helping Wheels organizations and the people they serve thanks to Nanaimo Mitsubishi and Nissan of Nanaimo and Island Radio.”

The Helping Wheels recipients  

September Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization NUKO Learning Center

October Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island

November Haven Society

December Island Crisis Care Society

January Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society

February Kiwanis Village Nanaimo

March Vancouver Island Crisis Society

April Unitarian Shelter

May Eden Gardens

June Nanaimo Family Life

July Nanaimo Child Development Centre

August Nanaimo Search and Rescue

September Tour de Rock