Harnessing the generosity of our communities in times of need.

BCAA is committed to stepping in during times of emergency and supporting our province when we need it most. We activate our Emergency Relief Fund if there's an appeal for donations (for example from the Canadian Red Cross) following major disasters such as wildfires or earthquakes.

Each time we activate the fund, BCAA identifies and donates to an organization providing on-the-ground support. We invite our team and communities to join us, matching their donations to double our combined impact.

This summer, BCAA activated our fund to donate to the Canadian Red Cross's 2023 British Columbia Fires Appeal to support local wildfire recovery and relief efforts — with BCAA matching donations from our team members and BCAA Members.

BCAA is committed to stepping in during times of emergency and supporting our province when we need it most.

We committed $100,000 and used our BCAA Gives Back community giving platform to help direct cash donations from BCAA team members and Members to the Red Cross wildfire relief efforts – ultimately raising over $227,000 to help British Columbians affected by wildfires.

We also donated advertising space to promote the donation opportunity, partnered with United Way British Columbia to provide hundreds of blankets, and opened up our Kelowna Auto Service Centre and Westbank Service Location as drop-off hubs to donate items in need – sending multiple donation bins with much-needed items to United Way to help local residents.

There When Our Neighbours Need Us

David Skogstad, Senior Claims Manager, shares what it was like to lend support to community members threatened by wildfire in Kelowna.

When the situation became dire around West Kelowna this summer, I arrived at the reception centre with the BCAA community support van, just as people were showing up to get help.

With a long history in the community, BCAA team members have first-hand experience of what it’s like to evacuate their homes under threat of wildfires. I was there, along with my colleague James, who is a Kelowna local, to support the thousands of people who arrived in the coming days.

We helped open claims, gave insurance advice and guidance on available support and talked with people about their unique situations and how we could help.

The spirit of community at the reception centre was incredible. That community spirit extended beyond the wildfire zone — we also tapped into the power and generosity of our team members and Members province-wide through our Emergency Relief Fund. I was so glad to be there representing a truly BC-based organization, helping our neighbours when they needed us most.