Martin Connell is a successful entrepreneur, an innovative philanthropist both at the local level
as well as internationally and a well-respected community leader.
South Niagara is a great place to be. That's why the Grooms have chosen to live and work here and why they believe it's important to give back to their community. Rick was born and raised in Welland and Mel has lived in South Niagara long enough to think of herself as a local.
Charity is an important part of the makeup of Mel's family. Her role model was her father, who believed that giving back to the community where you live was a duty and a responsibility. "We in turn want to teach our children how important it is to give back what you can, when you can." Mel and Rick created the Groom Jensen Family Fund, a permanent endowment fund within the Welland Fund, as part of their enduring legacy and footprint they will leave to their community.
The Welland Fund helps good people do great things in our community. The Fund, which is Mel and Rick and their children's enduring legacy, supports local charities providing programs and services in Welland and is part of the family of funds held by the Niagara Community Foundation. Local charities play an important role in building a strong and vibrant community.
Mel and Rick encourage everyone to consider how they can leave their legacy to continue to make South Niagara a great place to be.
Chris Kruczynski and Jean Marchand
When business partners Jean Marchand and Christopher
Kruczynski (who is also Jean's son-in-law) sought to give back
to the community, they found an opportunity to involve their
entire family in their philanthropic efforts.
The pair, principals of the Marchand Kruczynski Group at
ScotiaMcLeod, wanted to do something to give back to the
community which had helped their successful business grow.
They decided to establish a donor-advised fund through the
Niagara Community Foundation.
Marchand and Kruczynski also wanted to place a specific focus
on cancer research and treatment in Niagara. They felt this area
aligned well with the family's experience because one of their
family members had fought breast cancer for the previous six years.
"Like all families where a member is struck by cancer, the disease
touched the lives of other family members," said Marchand.
"Cancer was truly a family affair, so we sought a family
philanthropic response. We all wanted to be involved in
the fund," he added.
As a member of the Niagara Community Foundation's
Professional Advisors Committee, Kruczynski approached the
organization's Executive Director, Liz Palmieri. During early
discussions he explored ways the family could become involved in
the fund and was very pleased with the outcome. Kruczynski's
wife, Vanessa Marchand, will serve as the chair of the fund's
advisory committee and has worked to establish a plan to grow
the fund and developed criteria for giving.
"We had always envisioned involving our children in philanthropy,"
said Kruczynski. "Undoubtedly, involving them in the fund
will create opportunities for important learnings. We will be
three generations strong with Jean and we're excited about the
family legacy we are creating," he added.
Just before Christmas, Chris, Jean and Chris's son Avery
dropped off a large gift basket for the clients of Wellspring
Niagara. This was Avery's first opportunity to give back to
the community and he was an instant hit with the clients
at the centre.
Wellspring provides free emotional, psychological and
information support to individuals and families living with
cancer. In April 2006 a grant of $3,000 was given to this group
by the Foundation to implement The Healing Journey, a new
program to help cancer patients cope with the stress of cancer and
its treatment. Each session includes an informational teaching
component whereby clients learned the basics of relaxation,
mental imagery, goal setting, improved communication and
other stress reduction techniques. Comments from participants,
such as "an excellent class beneficial to my battle with cancer"
providing "a lot of information in a logical, easy understandable
format" indicate how well received the program is. To find out
the dates when The Healing Journey will next be offered, call
Wellspring Niagara at 905-684-7619.
Bruce and Jennifer Caughill and their children
Bruce Caughill, Vice President of Legal and
Administration, Niagara Casinos, and his
wife Jennifer wanted to create a legacy vehicle
"for our own children to understand, over
time, the importance of giving back through
their own periodic fund raising initiatives
to contribute to a Family Fund." This
commitment was apparent when his two
daughters, Kate and Maddie, participated in
signing the fund agreement with their father,
and promptly added their own $20 each into
the fund.
To celebrate Family Day, the Caughills recently
invited friends and their children to be part
of a family organized bowling tournament.
Seven families participated with all proceeds
going to grow the Fund. What has started as
a commitment within the Caughill family
circle is sure to continue to expand, involving
others in their community of Niagara-on-the-
Lake in the spirit of giving.
Peter Papp
The Peter and Andrew
Papp Family Fund was
recently opened at the
Niagara Community
Foundation. This fund is
the first of its kind for our
Foundation, representing a
unique way of "Giving
Back by Giving Forward�"
or multi-generational
giving.
Multi-generational giving
is a form of family legacy
that has one generation
paying forward to give
back to future generations. The fund is started by one generation
adding $1,000 per year into a legacy fund, and the fund is
continued by the next generation who continues to make the
ongoing financial commitment. The idea is to give a dedicated
amount on a monthly basis in perpetuity, in order to build a
fund that is unrestricted in its scope, and therefore designed to
be able to address the most pressing issues of the future. Once
this generation is gone, there will be funds available to commit
to the causes and interests that will be most pertinent in ten to
fifty years time. Compound interest on the monthly amounts
given now will grow into a substantial sum to be used into the
future.
Brad Hutchings, Vice-Chair of the Niagara Community
Foundation explains, "This type of fund demonstrates that it is
not necessary to be wealthy in order to leave a family legacy. For
example, a monthly credit card donation of $100 can build a
significant fund over time."
Peter Papp chose this type of fund to direct his giving to his
hometown community of Welland. Papp grew up in the
downtown core in a family of recent immigrants from Eastern
Europe. Life was not easy, but he remembers the community
drawing together to help each other. Although he no longer
lives there, Papp says, "I see the community going through
challenging times and I hope that this family endowment fund
will be able to provide help in the place where my roots lie."
Papp also sees the value of involving his son in his philanthropic
efforts. "My son, who is 27, is involved in a number of charitable
groups. It is important to me that he is part of the continuation
of a philanthropic act, and that the spirit of philanthropy moves
into the next generation. Hopefully this will carry on with his
own children."
Multi-generational funds are based on the idea that great things
start small. The opening of this fund is a small step toward
involving more members of the community in this type of
giving, and it is hoped that it will provide an example for others
who would like to leave a family legacy. If you are interested in
starting a family endowment fund, contact the Niagara
Community Foundation at 905-684-8688.
Gary Talosi
Gary Talosi got involved with the Port Colborne Fund when he
was asked to serve on the Advisory Board. As an appropriate way
to thank the citizens of Port Colborne for supporting the financial
planning practice he established in the city in 1994, he set up the
aptly named Gary Talosi Thanks Port Colborne Fund.
"My wife Angie and I make a regular monthly contribution to the
fund - the same way I recommend that clients contribute to their
investments," says Gary. "We also trust that a group of people can
best decide how to use the funds for the general good of the citizens
of Port Colborne, combining it with other donations to help fulfill
the most urgent needs."
Walker Industries
It is our privilege as residents of Niagara to enjoy our natural environment, but it is our duty to protect this resource now and for generations to come. We have a major challenge ahead to ensure that no further damage takes place to our natural gifts and that investment is made on a regular basis to correct existing damage.
Because projects that restore and protect the environment need funds to realize their full potential, the foundation created the Environmental Legacy Fund for Niagara in 2004. The goal is to reach $500,000 in the Fund and with the support of the community much can be done to improve water quality, restore shorelines, encourage land stewardship and ultimately improve our ecosystem.
Walker Industries played a leadership role in supporting and promoting this fund. The company created the Walker Industries Earth 1st Fund and the staff under the leadership of CEO Bill Costello and Alison Braithwaite, Director of Environmental Performance reached out to many of their partners for assistance to help the legacy fund achieve its full potential.
Karen Stearne and Ann-Louise Branscombe
Back in 2001, Karen Stearne approached foundation director Ann-Louise Branscombe about organizing an event to benefit the foundation. Three years and over $30,000 later Karen's vision became a reality. Gathering together a group of accomplished volunteers, they created Sunday in the Parks, a wonderful garden party at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. Their aim was to open an endowed fund, appropriately named the Sunday in the Parks Fund, to support projects which encourage the advancement of women and girls. The final garden party was held in 2004 on one of those hot, glorious summer days. Since the Fund was created, grants have been awarded for workshops for women returning to the workforce, computer training for older women, and outreach programs for teenage girls.
And the Fund continues to grow. When Karen married David Fast in 2004, they asked that gifts be made to the fund in celebration of their marriage.
The Sunday in the Parks Fund remains as a testament to this group of friends who made a difference and who will continue to make a difference in the lives of women and girls long into the futures.
Eric Gilbert
Eric Gilbert is the consummate volunteer, business leader and family man. As a director of the foundation from 2003 to 2009 he lead the creation of the Niagara West Fund, recruiting a great group of volunteers to help raise the awareness about the Fund in Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln. Under his leadership the annual Niagara West Mayors' Charity Golf Tournament was created. And he also managed to encourage his wife, Jerry to help with the tournament organization. Each year the three mayors select charities in their community to receive half the event proceeds. The Niagara West Fund receives the balance. Eric is also a leader in his profession encouraging the creation of the Ontario Tire Dealers Environmental Fund from the proceeds of two golf tournament held in Niagara while Eric was on the foundation board.
Laura and Maria Menechella; Nicholas Prestia
In many ways, Nicholas Prestia is a
typical nine year old boy he loves
to play soccer, hang out with his
friends and go to summer camp.
What is not so typical is his desire
to give back to other children in his
community. Nicholas recently asked
friends and family attending his
ninth birthday party to donate to the
Niagara Community Foundation in
lieu of birthday gifts. Donations were
specifically directed to the Osprey Media
Network Summer Camp Grants Program that
provided bursaries to 18 organizations across Niagara to help over 230 children attend
summer camp this year.
Nicholas is carrying on a family tradition. Over the past few years both his aunt and
uncle, Maria Menechella and Patrick Steier, have celebrated their birthdays in the
same way, asking their friends to mark the occasion by donating funds to the Niagara
Community Foundation. Nicholas' mother, Laura Menechella, suggested that this
year Nicholas might do the same. Laura has supported the summer camp program
herself in the past and her sister Maria's involvement in the Foundation as a board
member has provided an insight into the Foundation's activities. "The Niagara
Community Foundation affects so many different community groups", says Laura.
"It is a wonderful vehicle that allows donors to have an impact on numerous causes
in our region."
The group that Nicholas was most interested in helping was other children. Because
he enjoys attending soccer, hockey and basketball summer camps, he wanted those
who might not be able to afford it to be able to enjoy the same experience. "Providing
our son with a cause that he could relate to was the best way to introduce him to the
idea of giving back to the community," Laura says. This combined with the examples
of his family members provided Nicholas with all of the encouragement he needed to
start young with his philanthropic efforts.
At first, Nicholas was a bit concerned about how his birthday would be celebrated.
Once he understood that the party would be going ahead with a soccer theme and
that he would still have the opportunity to have fun with his friends, he became
intrigued by the concept of helping less fortunate children instead of receiving gifts.
The parents of those attending were thrilled by the idea, as it alleviated the strain of
gift buying while offering an opportunity to discuss the importance of giving with
their own children.
Eighteen children attended this special celebration and the money raised allowed four
children to attend camp. Nicholas was both shocked and thrilled by the result, and his
mother says that the smile on his face when he learned of it was better than any that
would have been produced by traditional birthday gifts. According to Nicholas, "It
was a good feeling inside and I would do it again. I've asked some of my friends to
donate too so that they can help other people." Meanwhile, this young philanthropist
appears to be passing along the family tradition, having already informed his younger
brother Joseph that it will be his turn to give back when he turns nine.
Rob Neill Durward Jones Barkwell traces its origins back to 1940 when Wilfred W. Pollock, Chartered Accountant, opened an office for his practice in St. Catharines. Over the next 42 years there were many mergers, new partners and new branches opened throughout Niagara as well as Hamilton and Stoney Creek. DJB values leading and guiding the communities they serve through volunteerism and counsel. They have demonstrated this value through their service in a volunteer capacity with the Foundation, either as directors on our board or on a local advisory board. In celebration of their St. Catharines origins, the partners opened the Durward Jones Barkwell Fund within the St. Catharines Community Fund. As their motto says, DJB is big enough to know, small enough to care and it is through their caring that our community is strengthened.
