Support from Business Bolsters Community Organizations
The Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce team recently provided a donation to the wonderful volunteers who help keep Friends of the Family a vital support in our region. The donation was a result of the 2025 fundraising efforts at the annual Gala Dinner & Auction.
Helping Deliver for Those Who Give Selflessly
Building a stronger and more resilient community takes a wide-ranging effort, with many organizations working hard behind the scenes to make a positive difference.
Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce members are passionate about building community and bolstering organizations that are doing vital heavy lifting behind the scenes. To help with efforts of community organizations, each year the Chamber donates a portion of its annual Gala Dinner & Auction fundraising to groups making a difference in our daily lives.
“Our business community continually steps up to assist a broad range of organizations and efforts that strengthen our economy in ways we don’t often see,” says Tom Thomson, executive director of the Chamber. “As an advocate for both local business and our community, it’s important that we share our fundraising efforts with groups doing this fantastic work.”
Earlier this year, partial fundraising revenues from the 2025 Gala were provided to Friends of the Family, the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, KidSport and Forestry Works For BC. All four organizations have built solid foundations of support and play an important role in the lives of people throughout our community.
“One of the great parts of my job is meeting all the wonderful people who are doing this work,” says Thomson. “Most of it is volunteer, selfless and coming from a place of kindness towards others. We have a community full of these amazing people and organizations, so it means a lot to our membership that we can contribute to these efforts.”
Ticket sales and auction revenues from the annual Gala are also essential for helping fund the ongoing “Think Local First” campaign, a downtown graffiti & beautification program, and other economic development initiatives supporting business and community throughout the year.
This year’s annual Gala takes place on November 7 at Mary Hall on Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus. Gala tickets will go on sale September 16. Contact the Chamber at 250-352-3433 for details on tickets and donations.
