I recently had a chance to sit down with Alana Dickson, Executive Director of the BC Hospitality Foundation, to talk about the Foundation, plus their BCHF Lottery with ticket sales on now till Oct 30, with the draw on Oct 31. If you haven’t purchased a ticket(s), do so as our hospitality industry needs our help. Here is some background on the Foundation and the lottery. If you are a wine lover like me, there are several BC winery experiences that you have a chance to win.
Our conversation centered on the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) celebrating its 19th year. It began in 2006 to help hospitality workers facing serious health conditions and financial need. The BCHF offers direct financial assistance to a wide range of industry professionals, including those in restaurants, wineries, and tourism, having provided over $1.28 million to over 325 individuals for short-term shortfalls. The current flagship lottery fundraiser is solely dedicated to aiding beneficiaries with medical and recovery costs, this year offering all-Canadian travel and wine experiences as prizes.
It Wasn’t Just a Fundraiser, It Was the Start of a Movement
The BC Hospitality Foundation wasn’t born in a boardroom; it began with a crisis. In 2006, Michael Willingham, a well-known member of the wine industry, suffered a severe brain aneurysm. The unexpected event left him partially paralyzed, unable to swallow, and struggling to breathe while sleeping. He was facing a terrifying, life-altering battle with overwhelming medical and financial challenges.
His colleagues and friends quickly rallied, raising $50,000 to help him. But when they presented him with the funds, Willingham attached a condition that would change everything. He said, “The only way that I’ll be able to accept this is if you continue to do this for the rest of the people in the hospitality industry.”
That single, selfless request in a moment of personal hardship became the mandate for the BC Hospitality Foundation. One person’s generosity became the catalyst for an organization that has supported hundreds of workers in their most desperate times.
The “Hospitality Worker” Umbrella Is Huge
When you think of a hospitality worker, you might picture a server, cook, or barista. While the BCHF certainly supports them, its definition of the industry is far broader, extending its support to the wide ecosystem of professionals who contribute to BC’s vibrant culture.
The people eligible for aid include:
- Restaurant and bar staff
- Wine store employees
- Winery, brewery, and brew pub workers
- Hotel employees
- Tourism individuals
This broad definition is crucial because it recognizes that everyone, from the person pouring your wine to the one checking you into your hotel, is part of the interconnected community that creates the tourism experiences that define British Columbia.
BCHF Is A Lifeline
Counterintuitively, the BCHF’s goal is not to be the first call for help. The foundation operates as the “last resort of funding” for those in need. Individuals facing a health crisis are encouraged to first pursue other avenues of support, such as disability funds. Only when those options have been exhausted does the BCHF step in to cover the shortfalls, typically providing enough support to help someone manage for “two to three months” while they get back on their feet. This deliberate approach allows the foundation to focus its resources where they are most critically needed, ensuring that no one in the community has to face a crisis completely alone when all other doors have closed.
The Lottery Grand Prizes Are Part of a Virtuous Cycle
The Foundation’s flagship fundraiser is the Spirit of Hospitality Lottery. The proceeds are used exclusively to help beneficiaries facing financial hardship due to health conditions. This strategic choice demonstrates a laser focus on the core mission: helping someone cover rent after an injury or pay for critical medical equipment when they can’t work.
But here’s the most inspiring part: the spectacular prizes, from luxury train journeys through the Rockies to oceanfront escapes in Tofino, are all donated by partners from across the industry! This creates a powerful virtuous cycle. The very products of the industry’s success, the peak experiences it offers, are reinvested to create a safety net for the people who make those experiences possible. This year, the lottery celebrates all-Canadian experiences, a conscious commitment to not only support BC’s own but also strengthen the entire national tourism ecosystem.
To date, this community-driven model has allowed the BCHF to provide $1.28 million in crucial aid to over 325 individuals.
This Lottery’s Prizes, Including Early Bird Prizes
These prizes are fantastic. Here is the URL so that you can enter to help the BCHF help others and maybe win a prize.
Early Bird 1 – Coastal Dining Journey (worth over $400)
Indulge in an exclusive 5-course coastal dining experience for four at Bow & Stern’s Brentwood location in Burnaby. Begin your evening with a welcome mocktail, then savour five expertly curated seafood-forward courses crafted with care by this family-owned and operated gem. An intimate night of West Coast flavours, warm hospitality, and unforgettable memories.
DRAW ON September 29 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Early Bird 2 – Lake Country vineyard and lake resort stay (worth over $400)
Sip, savour, and relax in BC’s wine country with a visit to Ex Nihilo Vineyards, celebrated for its award-winning wines and stunning views. This dreamy escape includes a one-night stay in a luxurious West Wing King Parkview Guestroom with complimentary parking at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. The perfect retreat to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Country.
DRAW ON October 6 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Early Bird 3 – Menu tasting at AnnaLena Vancouver (worth over $500)
Embark on a culinary adventure with an 8-course tasting menu for two at AnnaLena, one of Vancouver’s most acclaimed dining destinations. Experience contemporary, boundary-pushing cuisine in a stylish and intimate setting—ideal for food lovers looking to celebrate a truly extraordinary evening.
DRAW ON October 14 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #1 Take a Ride on the Rocky Mountaineer (worth over $6,500)
Journey through the Rockies in style with a 2-day rail experience aboard the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer in SilverLeaf Service from Vancouver to Calgary. Marvel at panoramic views while enjoying gourmet meals and impeccable onboard service. Your adventure continues with a one-night stay at The Westin Calgary, complete with breakfast, plus $500 in travel cash to make your trip even more memorable.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #2 Sicamous Houseboat (worth over $5,500)
Set out on a one-of-a-kind vacation aboard a Mirage 65 Houseboat for a 3-night adventure on Shuswap Lake. Cruise through scenic landscapes, drop anchor in hidden coves, and enjoy the comfort of your own floating retreat. A unique experience to share with family or friends on BC’s beautiful waterways.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #3 Victoria in Style (worth over $4,000)
Fall in love with Victoria during this luxurious getaway. Stay 2 nights in a Penthouse Suite at Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, followed by a 1-night stay at Oak Bay Beach Hotel in an Ocean View Suite with access to their world-class mineral pools. Travel in style with roundtrip Helijet flights for two and experience the magic of Butchart Gardens. The ultimate Victoria escape.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #4 Big White Ski Vacation (worth over $4,500)
Make family memories on the slopes with a 5-night stay in a 2-bedroom condominium at Big White Ski Resort. This winter wonderland includes 5 days of lift tickets and rentals for 2 adults and 2 children under 18, a thrilling day at the Tube Park, and round-trip transfers from Kelowna International Airport. A snow-filled adventure perfect for the whole family!
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #5 Island Treasures (worth over $1,000)
Uncover Vancouver Island’s hidden gems with a 2-night stay with breakfast at Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, followed by a whimsical 1-night stay at the Owl’s Perch Treehouse Treetop Escape. Includes a complementary fruit basket and $200 in travel cash to enhance your magical island adventure.
RESTRICTIONS
Subject to availability, no pets for Owl’s Perch and Butchart Gardens cannot be used on Fireworks Saturdays or Special Events.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Prize #6 Quebec City Escape (worth over $3,000)
Fly east to the charm of Old Quebec with a 2-night stay in a Fairmont Gold city view room at the iconic Château Frontenac. Enjoy daily breakfast and evening canapés on the exclusive 14th floor. Includes a travel voucher to help you arrive in comfort.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #7 Seaside Tofino (worth over $2,000)
Experience the rugged beauty of BC’s West Coast with a 2-night stay in an oceanfront log cabin at Crystal Cove Beach Resort. Travel with ease on roundtrip airfare for two with Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver to Tofino. Breathe in the salty air, walk sandy beaches, and embrace the ultimate coastal escape.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #8 Escape to Vancouver Island (worth over $1,000)
Relax and rejuvenate with a 2-night stay at The Beach Club Resort in Parksville, then restore your senses with a Healing Caves spa treatment for two at Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa in Courtenay. Includes $300 in travel cash, making this the perfect restorative retreat on the Island.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #9 British Columbia Wineries experience (worth over $1,500)
Choose your ultimate winery adventure:
- South Okanagan Valley – A 2-night stay at Burrowing Owl Guest House with a tour of Stoneboat Vineyards.
- Thompson Valley – A VIP tour at Monte Creek Winery with local food samples. Plus, a $200 JoieFarm Winery gift card, a $50 gift card to 40 Knots Winery, and BC Wines of BC swag gift.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #10 Enjoy Vancouver (worth over $2,300)
Discover Vancouver’s vibrant downtown with a 2-night stay at Sutton Place Hotel, a chef’s tasting menu at Boulevard, and a massage for two at Vida Spa. Explore nature with four tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park including the Canyon Lights, and a $150 Cliff House Restaurant gift card. A perfect blend of city and nature.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #11 Culinary Journey at Mott32 and stay in town (worth over $1,600)
Enjoy a culinary journey dinner for 4 hosted by wine director Robert Stelmachuk featuring Mott32’s famous signature Apple Wood Roasted 42 Days Pekin Duck and two people stay at the Paradox Hotel in a King Guestroom with valet parking included.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #12 Revelstoke two night adventure (worth over $900)
Discover the mountain charm of Revelstoke with a 2-night stay at Best Western Plus Revelstoke. Includes a $112 dining certificate to the 112 Restaurant & Lounge. The perfect getaway for those who love small-town charm surrounded by big mountain scenery.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #13 Whistler escape (worth over $900)
Retreat to the alpine village with a 2-night stay in a Mountainview Loft Room at the Adara Hotel Whistler plus one night at the Listel Hotel in a Deluxe Room. Enjoy sweeping balcony views, cozy modern design, and all the magic of Whistler at your doorstep.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
Prize #14 Vancouver Downtown Dine Out & Big Bus Tour (worth over $900)
Savour Vancouver with a 1-night stay in a King Suite at Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown, complete with breakfast and parking. Enjoy a $250 gift certificate to Banda Volpi for an unforgettable meal, then see the city from a new perspective with a Big Bus Capilano Tour.
DRAW ON October 31 @ NOON
Some restrictions apply
These prizes are fantastic. Here is the URL so that you can enter to help the BCHF help others and maybe win a prize.
