As part of its “A Canvas for Good” initiative, supplier SanMar, based in Issaquah, Washington, held a fundraiser in September for Virginia Mason Hospital’s Bailey-Boushay House in Seattle. Through its initiative, which underscores SanMar’s belief that “business is personal,” the supplier raised $130,000 over the two-week charitable-giving event, which was held to help the organization.

“This donation will surely make a difference in the lives of so many people in our community,” says Jeremy Lott, SanMar’s president. I am thankful we have places like Bailey-Boushay in our community, and thankful for people like their Director Brian Knowles, who finds a way to say ‘yes.' He has limited space and limited funds, but when someone gives him a challenge, he figures out a way to say ‘yes!’”

From September 9 through 20, all eight of SanMar’s distribution centers around the country and the Eastpointe Headquarters in Issaquah participated in fundraising event. Each location provided unique opportunities to make donations.

For the past 27 years, Bailey-Boushay House has supported patients living with HIV/AIDS by providing resources to improve their personal wellbeing and overall living situations. The overall goal of the program offered at Bailey-Boushay House is to prevent the spread of the disease by providing the best multifaceted support possible to those who need it. The money raised will help with treatment assistance, finding housing solutions for those who are homeless, outpatient medical services and supplies like food and clothing.

“Bailey-Boushay House is so thankful to SanMar and its employees,” says Knowles. “The gift is life-changing for our clients. This generosity will impact the health and safety of the most vulnerable individuals in our community. We make sure people have HIV medicine and are taking it correctly. We help remove barriers to the things that are keeping them from being successful.”