Donor Spotlight: Karan Arora and WingsUp! Guelph
Karan Arora, owner of WingsUp! Guelph restaurant on Speedvale Avenue has been making a real difference in the community by supporting Guelph General Hospital through his fundraising endeavours.
Karan came to Canada in 2011 with the goal of establishing himself in his new country. He started working at WingsUp! in Mississauga, taking on entry-level positions and steadily climbing the ladder over the next twelve years. In 2016, he marked a major milestone in his entrepreneurial journey when he took over as the owner of the Guelph franchise.
Karan has developed a deep affection for Guelph and Guelph General Hospital. The Hospital holds a special place in his heart as it is where his second child was born, and it recently provided exceptional care to his father for a heart-related issue. Grateful for the support his family has received, Karan believes in giving back to the community that has done so much for him. His commitment is evident through his efforts to raise funds for the Hospital.
In January and February, WingsUp! Guelph ran a successful month-long campaign to support patient care at Guelph General Hospital. Karan pledged to donate $1 from the sale of the restaurant’s most popular menu items. Within the month, they raised an impressive $1,080!
The response from customers was overwhelmingly positive, with many offering congratulations and expressing appreciation for the campaign. Karan is enthusiastic, saying,” It was so easy; we reached out to our followers through an e-blast, and The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital staff provided valuable assistance with marketing. We plan to do it again next January!”
Karan’s commitment to fundraising highlights the positive impact that local businesses can have on the healthcare services in our community. Through active participation in the Local Businesses Care for Guelph General Hospital program, business owners can organize their own fundraising events or promotions, ultimately helping the Hospital acquire vital medical equipment and improve the quality of patient care.
The program offers an easy and fun way for businesses to support Guelph General through fundraising. The Foundation provides support by listing events on their website, publicizing marketing campaigns, assisting with graphic design, printing posters, and hosting photo cheque presentations. Promotions can be carried out via emails, social media, in-store displays, and on websites. By getting involved, local businesses can positively impact the Guelph General Hospital, just like Karan Arora and WingsUp! Guelph are doing.
From left to right: Loukas Aresti (Operations Manager, head office), Julie Byczynski (CEO of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital) and Karan Arora (WingsUp! Guelph owner)