Established by Danny Virtue in 2000, the Virtue Foundation is a not for profit organization whose primary objective is to provide opportunities for children and young men and women to connect or reconnect with others in an environment where their challenges, be they physical, mental or financial, are not a hindrance to realizing their self-worth, potential and ability to succeed. From day-trips, where a slow ride around the grounds may be a great achievement, to entry-level jobs and careers working in movie or television productions, the Virtue Foundation is well-known for its wide-ranging approach to children's specific needs.
The goal of the Virtue Foundation is to affirm children from every walk of life through a demonstration of love, compassion, and hope, as they interact with nature, caring adults, and horses. LET'S RIDE!
Children and their families from across Canada come to the beautiful Virtue Studio Ranch where Danny and his volunteers work closely with the children and their parents, teachers, and therapists to engage and educate.
The Virtue Foundation is a very well-known throughout Canada as a not for profit organization that uses its spectacular, natural setting along with its working ranch to introduce children, many of which have significant challenges, to experiences that encourage self-growth, promote independence and provide affirmation. The Virtue Foundation embraces relationships with other services and charities, in particular, agencies that deal with childhood cancers, autism, learning disabilities, physical and mental handicaps, foster children and marginalized youth. Some of the organizations include BC Children's Hospital, all lower mainland school districts, the Michael Cuccione Foundation for childhood cancer research, various social Ministries and the East End Boys and Girls Clubs.
Casey Wright said in his one man play, "I don't know where my future is, but I know, wherever there is a scared kid, I'll be there." At the Virtue Ranch, there are others who think just like Casey. Danny's work with Casey epitomizes how a young man, burdened with disease, strokes and aneurysms still manages to maintain an attitude of hope and a desire to be self-sufficient, goals that are normal for most but often unattainable for many. His story could be the catalyst a child needs to push forward, a story that reflects the desire for normalcy; an idea or concept that for some is beyond their perceived abilities. The Casey Wright story, whatever form it takes, is one of understanding the past but constructing a future. Through Danny's generosity, Casey's family now lives, free of charge, on the ranch, in their own home. This has allowed his parents and siblings to go to school, work in their chosen professions and not have to worry about the inevitable surgeries, treatments, and trips to the hospital. Casey is also working on his acting, public speaking and laying the groundwork for his own charitable work. This young man is the perfect example of a young person whose whole attitude to life and a productive future has changed by experiencing what the Virtue Foundation provides at the ranch.
The East End Boys Club, in its work with marginalized young men and women, offers counselling, therapy, mentorship, tutoring, education plans and transitional assistance that includes paid-for tuitions at any post-secondary academic or trade institution. The members attend dozens of cultural events and participate in many other programs, in this case, the Virtue Foundation.
Danny not only introduces these young men and women to the therapeutic interaction with the animals and the team-building exercises associated with the care of a working ranch but also provides job-shadowing, entry jobs, training and networking for those interested in pursuing studies and opportunities in the movie and television industries. The Virtue Foundation builds independence, self-sufficiency and life plans by encouraging, then nurturing those students who wish to enter this world.
With over 1000 television and movie credits as a stuntman and stunt coordinator and having produced and directed television programs, Danny brings a treasure trove of knowledge to every aspect of screen entertainment.
With a who's who list of industry movers and shakers, technical to creative, Danny's network is vast. This has enabled him to create and/or set up entry programs into this field. His excellent relationships with unions and other organizations have been key to providing mentorships, education, training, job shadowing and apprenticeships.
His working ranch further adds opportunities in husbandry, and animal training. The Virtue Ranch is practically a one-stop facility to explore career options in this diverse industry and the Virtue Foundation prides itself in encouraging young men and women who may never have considered any of these options to pursue them. For students facing personal challenges, Danny's unfailing support, be it one day, or years, is a critical support system.
The Virtue Foundation believes that to be effective, partnerships with other similarly purposed organizations is critical. Children are brought to the ranch from hospitals such as BC Children's Hospital, various cancer agencies such as the Michael Cuccione Foundation, other societies that work with autistic and emotionally-disturbed children, the ALS society, the East End Boys Club, Gameready Fitness Youth Development Program, Boys and Girls Club Abbostford, PLEA Community Services, D.A.R.E. BC Society, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Fraser Health Dialysis, Kidney Foundation of Canada and other agencies working with children.
The goal for the Virtue Foundation is to present these young people with a day of fun, enablement, affirmation and opportunity. The Virtue Foundation helps these other community support programs develop a greater synergy with their clients, benefiting everyone, from children to parents to caretakers. Danny continues to foster relationships in the many communities in British Columbia and in fact Canada.
Here are some common types of gifts and support that go long ways with us. Ideas of support can include sponsoring a horse and we continue saddling it up for a kid with special needs.
You can donate online. Donations over $25.00 are eligible for an official tax receipt.
You can send us your cheque to the following address.
The Virtue Foundation
General Delivery
Mission, B.C. Canada
V2V 4J5
We could use extra helping hands with many areas of our daily operation. Please contact us to inquire a volunteering opportunities.
A bag of horse feed, or nails and screws... we could make a good use out of them all. If you are in a fencing or roofing business, our ranch boundaries or barn roofs could always see improvements and mending too. These are just a few ideas of anything you could contribute to help us keep going. You can even sponsor a horse and we continue saddling it up for a kid with special needs. If you have any materials or supplies that you think we could use, please contact us and we will arrange scooping them up.
We welcome everyone but love it when the kids join us. The excitement, the laughter, the contagious joy is why we are here.
You can donate online. Donations over $25.00 are eligible for an official tax receipt. You can also send us your cheque to the following address.
The Virtue Foundation
General Delivery
Mission, B.C. Canada
V2V 4J5
Yes we do. A bag of horse feed, or nails and screws... we could make a good use out of them all. If you are in a fencing or roofing business, our ranch boundaries or barn roofs could always see improvements and mending too. These are just a few ideas of anything you could contribute to help us keep going. You can even sponsor a horse and we continue saddling it up for a kid with special needs. If you have any materials or supplies that you think we could use, please contact us and we will arrange scooping them up.
We could use extra helping hands with many areas of our daily operation and working with horses. Please contact us to inquire a volunteering opportunities.
