Above left: Al Hildebrandt and country singer Dean Brody at World Vision’s Global 6K for Water in Kelowna. Right: Money raised at World Vision’s Global 6K for Water supports clean water projects in Africa.
When Al and Irene Hildebrandt married 43 years ago, they began a tradition they continue to this day. They sponsored a needy child overseas, through World Vision. As their family grew, the couple added to their sponsorships, supporting one child for each of their own three kids. Since then, their financial commitment to changing lives through sponsorship has remained unbroken. The Hildebrandts' care for children in desperate need continues today, through World Vision's Sponsor a Child initiative.
While sponsoring children has remained a constant for decades, the couple has responded to many other calls for help, including several with World Vision. They've also supported the annual Kelowna Cops for Kids ride – Mr. Hildebrandt worked as a policeman in Calgary – and also mental health services in their current hometown of Kelowna, British Columbia.
"We have always seen philanthropy as an opportunity to support projects that are meaningful to us," says Mr. Hildebrandt. "But we need to know that the organization is credible and delivers what they say they will deliver."
Mr. Hildebrandt did due diligence on World Vision before committing to several large-scale projects through the organization in recent years. His research included reviewing a report from Charity Intelligence and confirming that 81 per cent of the money World Vision raises goes directly to programs helping children and communities in need.
While the sponsorship of individual children helps break the cycle of poverty in countries where basics such as food, clean water, education and health care are lacking, being in a position to contribute to larger projects is particularly rewarding, says Mr. Hildebrandt.
"When you invest a larger amount, you want it to be meaningful and make a difference," he says. "I know that World Vision can do more with the money than we can do as individuals."
In recent years, the couple has supported micro-finance programs in Guatemala, health-care clinics as well as clean water and sanitation projects in Kenya and Tanzania, and child protection initiatives in Cambodia and China.
As the founder and now-retired CEO of the electronic medical records firm QHR Technologies, Mr. Hildebrandt applies the entrepreneurial spirit that made him successful in business to the couple's investment in philanthropy.
"I want to encourage others to come along on the journey," he says.
A good example of this was his recent involvement with World Vision's Global 6K for Water in Kelowna. The Global 6K takes it name from the average distance (six kilometres) people – usually women and girls – walk to get water for their families in the developing world.
The Hildebrandts helped promote the event, which invites participants to walk, run or wheel the distance. When the event was held in July, more than 680 people took part, raising more than $250,000 to bring water closer to families in desperate need. It was the most successful Global 6K for Water in Canada to date.
While the couple continues to contribute to their community in Kelowna, they are excited about seeing the results of their contributions overseas.
"We are very proud of our connection with World Vision and are looking forward to visiting some projects in Africa next year," says Mr. Hildebrandt. "We want to see first-hand the impact of our donations and the difference the organization is making."
In the meantime, just as the young married couple was encouraged by Irene Hildebrandt's parents to be part of World Vision's sponsorship work all those decades ago, they have encouraged their children to do the same. And last year alone, they joined with fellow Canadians in helping secure brighter futures for more than 450,000 children living in poverty.
This content was produced by Randall Anthony Communications, in partnership with The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.