2023 Corporate Partners/Sponsors Award

Family Business Honored for Dedication to ALS Society of BC:
Casa Mia Projects Continues Father’s Fight

Recipient of the 2023 ALS Society of BC Corporate Partners/Sponsors Award
– Jeff Chalissery, VP Operations at Casa Mia Projects Ltd, Lower Mainland.

RICHMOND, British Columbia – In 2007, Thomas Chalissery, President of Casa Mia Projects Ltd., was diagnosed with ALS. Because of ALS, his son Jeff Chalissery had to help in the business at 19 while studying engineering and real estate certification at UBC. In a show of gratitude, the family has been donating yearly since 2011, totalling $55,000. Since 2019, Casa Mia has partnered with the ALS Society of BC GivingTuesday campaign as a matching donor to encourage donations. The campaign raises an average of $200,000 yearly for the equipment loan program.

“We support ALS BC due to our deep connection with the society. As some may know, my father lived with ALS for 11 years. Our story is one of many other families who have had a loved one live with ALS. Without the help of ALS BC, many of the things my father was able to do in his last 11 years would not have been possible.

The amount of work the team puts into helping families is to be greatly applauded. It is hard to convey just how much ALS BC have helped us since my father’s diagnosis. From the equipment loans, putting us in touch with other programs and general support it fully enhanced my father’s quality of life over the years. We will always cherish the memories, teachings and messages my father left for us over the last few years, which would not have been possible, if not for ALSBC’s aide.

As such, we have been committed and supporting the society yearly. 

Once again, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for all the support and care your team at ALS BC have provided to our family for 11 years and for all the continuing help you are providing to those that are in need.” said Jeff Chalissery, VP Operations at Casa Mia Projects Ltd.

“The ALS Society of BC is very grateful for the support of Casa Mia Projects Ltd. and the Chalissery family. Tom Chalissery’s legacy is kept alive through his son Jeff. Jeff visits the ALS Society of BC office annually to be kept up to date on the services provided. His mission is to support others living with and affected by ALS. This is truly inspirational.” said Wendy Toyer, Executive Director of the ALS Society of BC. 

Jeff Chalissery’s award was presented at a “Celebration of Volunteerism and Service” ceremony hosted by the ALS Society of BC on Tuesday, April 9^th, 2024, in Richmond, BC.

Download logos and a high-resolution photo of the award recipient here.

About ALS BC: The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of British Columbia (ALS BC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Andrew Eisen, ALS patients and family members to meet the physical and emotional needs of people living with ALS and their caregivers. Our mission is to cure ALS through funding research, while advocating for and supporting people living with ALS. 

About ALS: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects the person’s motor neurons that carry messages to the muscles resulting in weakness and wasting in arms, legs, mouth, throat and elsewhere. Typically, the person is immobilized within two to five years of the initial diagnosis. There is no known cause or cure yet, but there is hope through the ALS Society of BC.

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