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Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives dedicated part of their monthly newsletter to remember Hans Havas.
Photo courtesy Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives
Richmond Cares Richmond Gives remembers Hans Havas
Published 2:55 PDT, Mon July 15, 2024
Last Updated: 2:56 PDT, Mon July 15, 2024
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Hans Havas, who passed away earlier this month, was never content to be a bystander. That was particularly true when it came to his community. He was, at every opportunity, an active participant, an enthusiastic contributor.
For over two decades, he served on the Board of the West Richmond Community Association, including many years as president. He spent another eight years volunteering on the Richmond Seniors Advisory Committee, again holding leadership roles like chair and vice chair.
In 2010, we presented Hans with a Volunteers Are Stars Award, recognizing his singular impact on the Richmond community. Soon, in an unexpected way, that impact would extend to our organization.
Flash forward to 2012. We were getting ready to host a new and improved version of the Richmond Christmas Fund Drive-Thru Event, at Lansdowne Centre, where people could stop by and donate a toy for a child in need. Just one thing was missing: somebody to volunteer as Santa. Through our search, we were connected with Hans, who immediately agreed to help. As it happened, he even had his own Santa suit!
It was clear right away that Hans was born for the role. He enthusiastically greeted every donor, took photos with delighted children, and, for hours on end, filled the event with a sense of joy and excitement.
And then he did it the next year, and the next. The Drive-Thru Event moved to River Rock Casino. Hans was there. The event moved again, to the Brighouse Fire Hall. Hans was there. The following year, the event stopped happening, but there was still the Richmond RCMP Toy Drive, back at Lansdowne. You better believe that Hans was there, too.
He even came to our Skate with Santa event, held for Christmas Fund families. In full costume, Hans took to the ice at Minoru Arenas, joining children and parents for a magical afternoon at the rink.
Hans was our Santa from 2012 to 2023. But he was so much more than that. He was an inexhaustible source of community spirit, never afraid to show his excitement. This wasn't an act. With Hans, everything was genuine. He loved his community deeply and earnestly, and inspired others to care as much as him.
It's fitting that he played Santa, because having Hans as a volunteer—and a friend—was truly a gift.
We’ve shared our experience with Hans, but it represents only a small part of his rich and remarkable life. To further understand what made him so special, we encourage you to read his obituary in the Province newspaper, which highlights his legendary career as an usher for the Vancouver Canadians and other local sports teams.
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