Now just over a decade since its formation, Kimmunity Angels continues to assist people with medical expenses and travel.
In an average year, it can assist up to 15 people or more with varying needs ranging from help to pay for prescriptions to subsidizing family members accompanying loved ones undergoing medical treatment, says executive director Kristie Ebeling.
"There's a lot of people we support who can stay here in Terrace, people who come from outside of Terrace to here for treatment," she said.
The name Kimmunity comes from Kim Kaye, a Terrace resident who died of cancer. Donna Slavik started Kimmunity Angels to remember Kim in 2013. She has since moved away and Ebeling became its executive director in 2022.
The charity hold annual events to raise money and it is also the beneficiary of donations. Just recently it received $3,500 from the Thornhill Pub through the annual motorcyclist toy run. A $5,000 donation from Green For Life Environmental has helped and raffles adds to its budget.
The most extensive effort this year was a wine and Scotch testing evening which raised $10,400. It was the second time Kimmunity Angels has organized an event such as this, Ebeling said.
"This is really our primary fundraising period of the year," Ebeling said of the above contributions to Kimmunity Angels. "We're just now preparing another raffle, our stocking stuffer raffle."
The Kimmunity Angels board generally meets four times a year with Ebeling approving assistance payments up to $1,500.
"We just wanted to make sure that we could support many different people in the community," said Ebeling. "It doesn't mean you only get $1,500. It just means that the second $1,500 (request) goes to the board to determine if we are going to do a second one."
Of its annual disbursements, Ebeling estimates $5,000 goes to helping pay for prescriptions with the remainder going to travel support.
"We're very lucky that we have money from the community to help people with their loved ones when they are in crisis," she said.
