The Cowell family has donated $15 million to add innovative technology to Richmond Hospital’s new acute care tower being built. The founder of Cowell Auto Group, Gary Cowell, the first Volkswagen dealership in Richmond, was joined at the hospital by his family and Richmond Hospital nurses, doctors, and board members on Wednesday, Feb. 5, for the $15 million cheque donation.
“Our family is proud to make this donation as a way of saying thank you to all our past clients and staff,” said Cowell.
He said their success in the automobile industry is primarily due to their hard-working staff and loyal customers from Richmond and neighboring communities who have supported them for over 50 years, Cowell Auto Group’s Volkswagen dealership opened in 1967. In 1985, it was one of the first dealerships in Canada’s first auto mall, Richmond Auto Mall.Â
Cowell family’s legacy of community support
Gary Cowell said that putting people first has always been the Cowell family’s business philosophy, and this mindset never changed even after they sold the company in 2021.
While $15 million is not a tiny amount, Cowell said the funds were available while the business was being sold, and they knew they wanted to give back to health care in the community.
“Excellent health care is important to everyone. By announcing this donation, we hope other community-minded businesses and families who feel as we do will be encouraged to give too.”
Given its proximity, Gary’s son, Ryan Cowell, said their family and many employees visit Richmond Hospital for medical needs. According to him, he tore his Achilles (tendon)12 to 13 years before, and both of his children had care there.
He emphasized the importance of Richmond Hospital continuing to advance as the population grows. He further reiterated that they want to make sure it is available for the community to take care of its people.
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Richmond Hospital: Building a healthier future
Richmond Hospital is being rebuilt and will include a new nine-storey tower and the Yurkovich Family Pavilion, including a new emergency department and operating rooms. The Cowell family’s donation will fund the purchase of new “innovative technologies” for the new Yurkovich Family Pavilion.
The $15 million will kickstart the Power Up Campaign, the hospital foundation’s next fundraising campaign. President and CEO of the Richmond Hospital Foundation Natalie Meixner says they are honoured to receive this special gift from a family whose business has long been a cornerstone in their community.Â
According to him, the Cowell family, through the Cowell Auto Group, has supported health care within Richmond and other neighboring communities for many years. He further revealed that the most recent transformational donation will help empower the adoption of innovative and new technologies, which can help improve access and increase efficiency for better patient care.
These kinds of donations have been instrumental in community-building development. An example is Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s lifelong commitment to service. Habitat for Humanity’s ongoing projects, The Carter Center’s initiatives and RCI’s advocacy work continue transforming lives, ensuring the Carters’ legacy endures.
The symbiotic relationship between the Cowell family and Richmond Hospital has immortalized kindness, benefiting society. As the family has said, putting people first has always been their philosophy, which is worth emulating, this means we can be a conveyor belt for giving back to our community.