Since the BC Hospitality Foundation was created in 2006, it has become a go-to lifeline for the industry. And this October, the organization passed a significant milestone: It reached $1 million given to hospitality and tourism workers facing financial crisis due to a health condition experienced by themselves or a family member.

Over the past 15 years, the BCHF has provided financial assistance to 254 beneficiaries who include restaurant chefs, servers, hotel workers and baristas, as well as behind-the-scenes workers such as delivery drivers, sales representatives, writers, brewmasters, winemakers and vineyard workers.

BCHF executive director Dana Harris says the organization “is based on the idea that we in the hospitality and tourism industry work together to help our own. We couldn’t have reached this significant milestone without the support of everyone in the hospitality and tourism sector, as well as our board members and many volunteers.”

The BCHF has also given over $230,000 in scholarships to more than 260 students, investing in the industry’s next generation.