Saanich philanthropist Rudi Hoenson is at it again, launching a matching campaign to raise money for the Lodge at Broadmead Care Centre.
Hoenson is already responsible for millions of dollars raised for Broadmead Care and several other causes in Greater Victoria. In early 2015, he committed to a $20,000 matching campaign to install overhead lifts at Broadmead Care. It was ‘matched’ within a week, so he upped it to $30,000. That was quickly matched too.
“I ended up giving $250,000 because we wanted to be able to say ‘half a million,’ which we did,” says Hoenson.
Fundraising campaigns have become a way to keep the 93-year-old war veteran busy. The Royal Oak resident is a regular at Country Grocer, where his easygoing presence is well known. He also enjoys a cup of coffee four times a week at Broadmead Care.
This time, Hoenson is part of Broadmead’s Every Moment Matters Campaign, for which he has committed to match up to $125,000 raised. His commitment has inspired Country Grocer, which is contributing to the campaign out of admiration for him, said Peter Cavin, director of Country Grocer.
“Hoenson has been a great friend of Country Grocer for many years,” said Cavin. “He brightens all of our days with his quick-witted humour and smiling face and is the most generous person I have met.”
Both of Country Grocer’s Royal Oak and Esquimalt stores are onboard, with ‘Rudi’s deals of the day.’ They’re also offering $2 Rudi vouchers at the tills with all proceeds benefitting Broadmead Care.
“I used to stop by Country Grocer every day but I’m slowing down, only about three times a week now,” Hoenson says. “The nice part of this is helping veterans, it’s so nice of [Country Grocer] to participate in this. I hope the customers will support and buy lots.”
The campaign officially kicks off with a private movie screening of the uplifting dementia documentary Alive Inside.
The Lodge at Broadmead is home to more than 100 Second World War and Korean War veterans and another 110 seniors.