Much has changed in the last six years since Kurtis MacGillivray arrived in town and took ownership of No Frills at the Trail mall.
Alongside the extraordinary challenge of weathering his business through a pandemic and tackling inevitable daily ups and downs, MacGillivray’s life has blossomed.
He’s been blessed with wife Darla and two beautiful girls, Hazel 20 months, and Harper 3.5 weeks.
Through it all, there has been a constant since MacGillivray took over the business in 2019: his unwavering commitment to holding an annual fundraiser at the store to benefit patients receiving cancer care at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH).
Give a Daisy Memorial Campaign was started by No Frills employee Lee Page in memory of his wife, Kim, a year before MacGillivray came on board.
After becoming fast friends with Page, who remained a No Frills employee, MacGillivray was all in to keep the March fundraiser going with staff by his side.
After Lee Page died of cancer in July 2020, MacGillivray promised his friend he would keep the campaign going and, to date, over $60,000 has been raised for the cause; $16,500+ for palliative care at KBRH and $51,800 for the oncology department at KBRH.
This week, with Darla’s help and the girls at their side, MacGillivray met the Times at the store to talk about the family’s dedication and the staff’s dedication to keep the fundraiser going.
“It hits really close to home for me,” MacGillivray began. “Every day I walk in the store I miss him.”
He recalled how Page welcomed him in as the new store owner and introduced him to the staff and community.
“I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Kim, but when I came to the store and heard the stories and saw how passionate Lee was with the daisy campaign, and raising money for KBRH, I couldn’t see us not doing anything but carrying this legacy forward,” MacGillivray said.
“Because it’s not just about Kim and Lee, there’s many others who this campaign helps, and that’s why Lee started this, for others. Doing it for our community, that’s what it’s about.”
Colton Crockett, a long time No Frills employee, also reflected on why he continues his commitment to the cause.
”I worked with Lee for many a year and lived with him the last couple of years just prior to his passing, we were pretty close,” Crockett shared.
The daisy campaign brings the community together to help our hospital and Lee appreciated that, he added.
“As much as people don’t want to be in the hospital, it is a place where most of us will end up at some point, and being able to raise money for it is just amazing to do; and to do it in Kim and Lee’s honour is even better.”
The campaign starts today, March 7, and runs until March 21 at Kurtis’ No Frills.
Money is raised by purchasing paper daisies — one for $5 or five for $20 — available in-store at checkout.
The paper daisy is then entered into a draw for prizes at the end of the campaign. For those wanting to give to the cause but can’t get to the mall, there is an option to call the KBRH Health Foundation and donate over the phone.
“The KBRH Health Foundation is delighted to announce our partnership with Kurtis’ No Frills for the 7th Annual Give a Daisy Memorial Campaign, carrying forward the legacy of Lee and Kim Page,” said executive director, Lisa Pasin, KBRH Health Foundation.
Fundraising efforts will once again be directed towards enhancing care for oncology patients at KBRH.
“Thanks to the generosity of our communities during this two-week campaign, we will continue to invest in priority medical equipment and care and comfort items to support a positive environment for cancer patients receiving treatment at KBRH,” Pasin added. “We hope to make this year’s campaign the most impactful yet.”
To reach the foundation office, call 250.364.3424.
“I didn’t know Kim or Lee, but I hear the things people say about them,” Darla shared, while cuddling her newborn. “There were amazing people, so it’s an honour to fundraise in their name. And we had so much fun raising money with the barbeque last year, I will be helping with that again.”
(Details on date and time of the fundraising barbeque still to come.)
Read more: Buy a daisy and support cancer care at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital