The British Columbia Women’s Institute branches have received the Helen Hughes outstanding philanthropic award.
Twenty B.C. branches have raised funds for the Queen Alexandra children’s hospital in Victoria for 86 years.
Ruth Fenner, publicity chair for the South Vancouver Island District WI, said the United Way of Victoria presented the honour to the WI branches in Vancouver Island and the Gulf islands, a group that represents about 300 women.
“We were very grateful to be nominated and gratified to receive it,” said Fenner.
She added that WI first started raising money for the Queen Alexandra in 1922.
Last year the WI branches raised about $3,000 for the hospital, which has now switched its focus to outpatient training and living facilities for children with disabilities.
