BBF Celebrates 10 Years of Impact
This month, Bright Beginnings Foundation proudly marked a major milestone—our 10th Anniversary. We observed our birthday with supporters, students, and a number of dignitaries who came to cheer us on. The evening was warm, joyful, and filled with gratitude as we gathered to celebrate a decade of empowering Surrey students.
Guests were inspired with words from our speakers:
- Gary Tymoschuk, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education
- Angela Markakis, Surrey Teachers’ Association 1st VP
- Janet Brown, Member of the Surrey Poverty Reduction Coalition
- Elizabeth Griffiths, Career Development Facilitator at Kwantlen Park Secondary
- Hala, BBF Student
- Marena, BBF Student
- Cadence, BBF Student
Their stories and reflections reminded us why this work matters and how transformative community support can be.
A Decade of Achievements
Over the past ten years, BBF has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to support local students in need. Thanks to your generosity, we have accomplished the following:
- Supported 2 graduates who have now completed their post-secondary education
- Helped 5 students currently in various stages of their educational journeys
- Awarded 7 smaller grants of $2,000–$5,000
- Provided many new and gently-used laptops
- Changed the life trajectory of at least a dozen students and their families
These numbers represent real lives transformed—and we could not have done this without you.
Thank You for Celebrating with Us
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for our special anniversary evening and to all who have supported BBF over the past ten years. A special thank-you to our wonderful MCs, Denise Moffatt and Julia Macrae, for guiding us through the celebration with warmth and enthusiasm.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on our first decade, we are filled with excitement for the next. We invite you to:
- Consider donating or volunteering with BBF – see below
- Spread the word about our work and the students we support
Together, we can continue to build brighter futures.
Before we wrapped up the evening, we held our champagne glasses up.
Happy 10th Birthday, BBF—here’s to the next 10 years!
“You have given me hope, confidence and reassurance that I am not alone. Your investment in me will not end here. I will carry your support into my future career and beyond. Thank you for standing with me through this chapter in my life.”
Special Mentions
The Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society (SFFCS) has been a steadfast supporter of Bright Beginnings Foundation for our entire ten years. They have purchased tickets to our fundraisers, attended our annual banquets, and generously welcomed us into their gift-wrapping program at Guildford Town Centre—an opportunity that raised an incredible $13,000 over two years to support our students. We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment to helping our students succeed.
Unfortunately, the gift-wrapping initiative will not be running this year. We remain hopeful that this highly successful fundraiser will return next season. In the meantime, we are exploring new fundraising ideas to help fill the gap and continue supporting our students.
Stay tuned for future events!
Banquet/Pub Night
We are in the final stages of determining whether our 2026 major fundraiser will be a banquet or a pub night. Thank you for your patience—stay tuned for more details about this much-anticipated event!
We’d like to hear from you…
- Which event would you prefer? Pub Night or Banquet?
- Do you have a suggestion for a different fundraiser (big or small)?
Please send us your comments.
“I have never been more confident in my future. I will be forever grateful I was given this opportunity and I will never forget the chance BBF has given me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope one day to give back and help others in the way BBF has helped me.”
Donation and Volunteer Opportunities
BBF relies on our supporters’ donations. To make a financial donation, for which you will receive a tax credit from Revenue Canada, click here
There are many ways to support BBF besides financially.
Donate Goods and Services
Each year, Bright Beginnings Foundation holds a Silent Auction at our fundraiser. Our tables consistently see robust activity, and we are always looking for items to auction. Big sellers include gift certificates to restaurants, the services of trades companies and workers, hotel bookings, trips, spa treatments, and handcrafted items. If you have goods or services to donate, please contact us.
Volunteer Opportunities
Sponsor a Fundraiser
If you, or someone you know, has a local business that is looking to increase its visibility in the community, Bright Beginnings Foundation is looking for partners. Together we can come up with a fun and creative way for you to reach into the community while we raise funds to help our students. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact us.
Communications and Media Support
Bright Beginnings Foundation needs to “polish our on-line presence”, as our Fundraising instructor once told us. We need help with this. Are you comfortable using social media? We need someone who will set up accounts, post, and engage with BBF followers. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact us.
