When dental students moved into their new digs in UFV's brand new Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park last spring, they had three extra dental operatories to work with thanks to Rotary Club of Chilliwack Fraser fundraising efforts.

The club raised a total of $75,000 towards equipment and materials for health sciences facilities at the new UFV campus. Almost $45,000 was raised during the club's A Night On Broadway Swing Into Spring fundraiser alone.

UFV's dental students now have 5,600 square feet of dedicated lab and instruction space, including a 12-station operatory.

The original plans for the space called for 12 stations-which each include a dental chair, counter and equipment-but budget constraints would only allow the university to purchase nine. With the pledge of support from Rotary, the three additional stations were put back on the purchase order, much to the pleasure of health sciences dean Joanne MacLean.

The extra stations have allowed UFV's dental program students to see and treat more needy patients in the community.

Students currently see approximately 600 patients per year. The majority of those are local adults without health or dental plans. UFV students also conduct school clinics for Chilliwack students in Grades 4 to 6.

"The community outreach component was the reason we chose to support the dental operatories at UFV. This is in direct alignment with our values and priorities as a club and those of Rotary International," said Nick Bastaja, the club's president at the time.

UFV dental instructor Rosie Friesen was delighted with the generous pledge.

"This will facilitate patient-care services to our ever-increasing dental clients in the community. We value the club's willingness to partner with UFV and the community in our common goal."