What does it mean to be a community supporter?
For Eric Gaunder, founder of Hayden Diamond Bit Industries Ltd., being a community supporter involves taking care of one another by making a positive impact in the community.
Back in 2001 when he opened his business in Richmond, Hayden Diamond Bit Industries Ltd., he was looking to develop a product, drill bits, for the mining industry while helping to strengthen Richmond’s industrial base and attract new investments.
“I started with only three employees: myself, my wife and my daughter. We began working out of my garage, producing diamond drill bits for the mining industry,” Gaunder says. “My goal was to make a quality, premium product and make sure we deliver to customers on time.”
“You had to make a product that worked on every single type of rock. And the hardest part was producing one that lasted. That took time, plus plenty of research and development which relied on the efforts of a long line of people - employees who lived and worked in the community. Two years later, we started supplying complete packages of mining products and rebranded to Hayden Diamond Bit Industries Limited.”
From early on, Gaunder knew the overall health of the community was an essential component of building a sound and thriving business.
That’s why in 2011 Hayden Diamond Bit Industries Ltd. became a supporter of the Richmond Hospital Foundation, whose aim is to help inspire joyful giving and, through donations from community members and philanthropists, fund equipment and programs to help Richmond healthcare teams provide quality levels of care both in the hospital and in the community.
Understanding the connection between a thriving community and a thriving business, Gaunder recognized the importance of this work. Thirteen years ago, he made a commitment to the foundation – a pledge he continues to uphold to this day.
“Supporting the hospital through Richmond Hospital Foundation is as important as building a successful business,” Gaunder says. “You need a healthy and happy environment to nurture happy and healthy employees. To achieve that, we need skilled and expert professionals in Richmond, especially at Richmond Hospital, to care for people.”
“Being a supporter of Richmond Hospital Foundation helps form a circle of helping one another,” he adds. “As an employer, you want to ensure your staff have a good working environment where they're happy, productive and efficient. And it’s the same in the health care system. You take care of the health care providers and give them the right tools and environment, and they, in turn, can provide the best possible care for patients.”
That's where individuals and businesses, such as Hayden Diamond Bit Industries Ltd., and many others, can play an important role, giving back to the community by supporting local health care.
“This year is Hayden Diamond Bit Industries Limited’s 20th anniversary, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come. As a Richmondite who raised my family in this community, it brings me joy to know that we built it all right here in Richmond. My family, including my kids, see the meaningful impact our contributions have had on the community, and I hope our actions inspire the younger generation to do the same and continue to benefit future generations.”
To learn more about the Richmond Hospital Foundation, visit richmondhospitalfoundation.com
