YVR News

5 Ways to Give Back at YVR on #GivingTuesday

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 09:58:53 -0800

There’s no doubt that giving feels good, so we’re inviting our passengers to join us in recognizing November 28^th as #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving! Serving our communities is at the heart of what we do, and after investing over $1 million into our communities in 2023 already, we’re excited to share 5 ways passengers can do a little good while traveling through YVR this holiday season.

1. Give the gift of a freshly made sandwich at Joe and the Juice (Domestic and US Departures)

We’ve partnered with our friends at Joe and the Juice and ReFood Canada to provide freshly made sandwiches to our community. When you donate the dollar amount of half a sandwich at checkout, Joe and the Juice will match the other half. So far this year, with help from our passengers, more than 6500 sandwiches have been donated in our community.

2. Change. Love it or hate it? If you can’t decide, drop your loose change in a coinball located throughout the terminal.

You’ll find our Change for Change Coin balls in our Domestic, International and USA departure gates. Every cent gets invested back into organizations doing great things in our community, supporting mental health, food security, accessibility, climate resilience, Indigenous reconciliation, arts & culture and more!

3. Round up at Hudson News in support of Hope Air (located throughout the airport)

The next time you purchase your in-flight essentials at Hudson News, Vancouver Aquarium, Tech on the Go and Discover BC, round up your total to the nearest dollar in support of Hope Air, a national charity providing travel and accommodation support to patients who need to access specialized healthcare services outside of their communities.

4. Purchase your next coffee at Paper Planes Café (Domestic Arrivals Level 2)

Paper Planes Cafe doesn't just offer high-quality food and beverages; it serves as a platform for individuals with diverse abilities to gain paid employment training and invaluable work experience. A coffee for you, is a learning experience for others!

5. Help us build 1500 holiday hampers to feed 9000 British Columbians a festive meal with Quest Outreach Society

On Wednesday, December 6 we’ve partnered with Quest Outreach Society (non-profit grocery stores throughout Metro Vancouver), to host a Holiday Hamper Drive right here at YVR International Departures. We’re aiming to fill 1500 hampers to feed 9000 British Columbians. We invite you to build a hamper or you can make a donation to Quest Outreach Society online at yvr.ca/hamperdrive

Paper Planes Cafe at YVR brewing inclusivity, empowerment, and support for a more accessible world

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:17:00 -0700

This is a special week for us at YVR! Together with our friends from the Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN), we proudly unveiled a first-of-its kind inclusive and accessible food and beverage offering at YVR.

Paper Planes Café takes flight at Vancouver International Airport, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

This café is not just another coffee bar; it is a testament to our dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible travel environment. Situated in the Domestic Arrivals area on Level 2, this café represents a significant step forward in our mission to serve our people and the community. Its doors will be open for travellers from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week.

The uniqueness of this coffee bar lies in its team, which is made up of individuals with a diverse range of abilities from the neurodiverse community. These individuals will be at the helm, brewing coffee, and serving quick snacks to the millions of passengers and guests who traverse YVR's terminal, as well as the thousands of employees who call the airport home.

The primary goal of Paper Planes Café is to empower its staff by providing them with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce. Through this café, YVR and PAFN will offer up to six-months of training covering essential skills and expertise typical of the restaurant and service industry. This includes barista talents, food preparation, and customer service, all of which will prepare employees for a successful career in the hospitality field. Following the training, staff will also be supported in their job search in the community.

The innovative, impactful, and important partnership between YVR and PAFN began in 2021 with a shared vision to make travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone. As part of YVR's three-year accessibility plan, we are actively working towards creating a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible travel experience for people of all abilities.

Paper Planes Café at YVR is not just a coffee shop; it is a beacon of hope, inclusivity, and empowerment. It is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to make travel accessible for all, regardless of ability. So, the next time you find yourself at YVR, be sure to stop by the Paper Planes Café for a coffee and a taste of what true inclusivity feels like – because every journey, whether by air or in life, should be one that all can embark upon.

Inaugural Haul for Hope raises vital funds for Canadians needing to travel for medical care

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 02:06:00 -0700

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Hope Air are proud to announce the successful completion of the first-ever Haul for Hope event at YVR. Haul for Hope is an exciting firetruck pull fundraising event organized by Hope Air, aiming to raise crucial funds for Canadians in need of medical care far from home.

On Friday, October 13, nine teams took part in pulling one of YVR's firetrucks, Red 9, weighing 27,000 kilograms. Each team set out to fundraise a minimum of $3,500 in support of Hope Air. They went above and beyond, raising an impressive $21,500 in total! The teams went head-to-head in a friendly competition to see who could pull the firetruck the fastest, with the fastest pull time earning the 2023 Haul for Hope championship.

Taking into account fundraising efforts and the pull times, below are the winners:

First place: High Heat Haulers 2: North Vancouver, Port Moody and Coquitlam Fire Department representatives (pull time of 28.59 seconds)
Second place: High Heat Haulers 1: North Vancouver, Port Moody and Coquitlam Fire Department representatives (pull time of 29.11 seconds)
Third place: YVR Mod Squad: one of three Vancouver Airport Authority teams (pull time of 37.54 seconds)

⁠Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing support through flights, accommodations, meal vouchers and ground transportation to Canadians in financial need, who must travel to reach medical care far from home. All funds raised from this event will go towards Hope Air’s mission of ensuring no patient is left behind when accessing vital medical care.

YVR’s commitment to the longstanding partnership with Hope Air is strengthened by shared values of serving the community, especially during times of greatest need.

The event signified the hurdles that patients from remote communities in Canada face when accessing lifesaving medical care.

Our partners at Hudson News Stores (Avolta Group) are also showing their support for Hope Air by allowing shoppers to round up their transactions, with funds raised going to Hope Air.

Currently, Hope Air has already facilitated over 16,000 travel arrangements, surpassing the annual record in the first two thirds of the year for children and families in need of medical care. The number of travel arrangements is expected to reach over 17,000 by the end of 2023.