Across the region, Save-On-Foods are collaborating to raise funds for Angel Flight East Kootenay, a local non-profit that flies patients to treatment centres in Kelowna that otherwise may not be able to make the trip themselves.
All stores in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood, Creston, and Golden are joining together to offer their support of the volunteer-run charity, founded in April 2019 by Brent Bidston, a retired airline captain.
With no paid employees, Angel Flight East Kootenay primarily takes cancer patients and children from the Kootenays to health centres in Kelowna completely free of charge. As of now, Angel Flight East Kootenay is only flying to Kelowna out of Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook and the Elk Valley Regional Airport in Sparwood.
All flights are bases on individual requirements of the client, their appointment times, and the time needed to travel to and from the appropriate treatment centre. Angel Flight East Kootenay is hoping to expand its operations to encompass multiple airports in the Kootenays and aims to one day be able to fly as far as Vancouver.
“We are always looking for ways to help our communities through charitable donations or other means. We think Angel Flight East Kootenay is a sterling example of generosity and community working together to support those in need,” said Ryan Nesbitt, Fernie’s Save-On-Foods Store Manager. “We hope to raise funds in our stores to help Angel Flights East Kootenay in their mission and get the word out into our communities about this incredible cause.”
All of the participating Save-On-Foods locations in the East Kootenay will be coordinating their own fundraising efforts for Angel Flight East Kootenay, with all proceeds going directly to the charity and non-profit.
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