Phantom Screens Announces Charitable Initiative for Indigenous Language Preservation
The company has raised $20,000 for the University of the Fraser Valley Scholarship
ABBOTSFORD, B.C., Oct. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Phantom Screens, North America's leading provider of retractable screens, is thrilled to share its partnership with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in creating a scholarship that will help preserve the indigenous language of the local Stó:lō people. A total of $20,000 was raised by Phantom Screens and its network - enough to fully cover the tuition of a student each year in perpetuity to learn the traditional Halq'eméylem language. It all started with a much-needed haircut.
Stephen Hemphill, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Phantom Screens, started to grow his hair out at the start of the pandemic. His colleagues and staff weren't fans of his ponytail, and CEO C. Esther De Wolde suggested that they put his "mane" to a good charitable use. "I told him that if he would let us cut his hair, we'd raise funds as an organization towards any charity of his choosing," shares De Wolde. "Stephen took me up on it, and before I knew it, he recruited two other "COVID" haired gentlemen on our staff to do the same in support of his charity."
According to Hemphill, "I was taking the Indigenous Canada course online with the University of Calgary when we were talking about the idea of a fundraiser. With the backdrop of the stories of the residential schools, I started looking at options. I was pleased to hear about the Indigenous Studies program at UFV and specifically the Stó:lō language course. Reading about the Stó:lō First Nation's efforts to preserve its language and culture after surviving through genocide and colonization, I thought it would be great if we could do something to help."
For the initiative, three Phantom staff members volunteered to let donors vote on whether to cut or keep growing their long "COVID" hair. Phantom Screens' fundraiser officially launched on September 13th and raised funds through to September 30th, in line with Canada's first Truth and Reconciliation Day. Based on the results, 'cut the hair' won and the teams' hair will be cut on October 6th.
The two volunteer staff members in addition to Hemphill also share why this initiative is important to them. "The Stó:lō Nation has incredible culture, history, and community right here in the Fraser Valley. With under five remaining fluent speakers of the Halq'emeylem language, there is a great risk that part of this culture and history can be lost forever. If there is something we can do to help this local language's survival and longevity, I absolutely want to be a part of it," said Brandon Formosa, Human Resources Generalist at Phantom Screens.
Jeret Unger, Channel Marketing Manager - Professional Division at Phantom Screens added, "I believe language is central to preserving one's deep roots and identity. My grandparents' generation fled to Canada when their lands, possessions, and family members were stripped from them due to their ethnicity. Their mother-tongue was instrumental in preserving their family and community here in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō people. Canada has been a safe haven for us – and it's imperative that we do our part to restore it to the refuge it has been for centuries to the indigenous people."
About Phantom Screens
Founded in 1992, Phantom Screens is based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Phantom Screens offers customers a variety of retractable screen solutions for doors, windows, multi-panel systems and outdoor spaces. Phantom Screens products provide customers with insect protection, solar shading, temperature control and enhanced privacy in living spaces. For more information, visit http://www.phantomscreens.com.
Media Contact
Megan Kent, Magnolia Marketing Communications, 613-620-9378, [email protected]
SOURCE Phantom Screens
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