Dr. Leila Ryan

Dr. Leila Ryan was Chair of the Foundation when the Foundation decided to direct the majority of its unrestricted granting to poverty reduction – the first community foundation in Canada to do so.  Leila reflects on the importance of that decision in this 2014 video.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoM12NnkNZI]

Murray Hogarth

Murray Hogarth is the founder of Pioneer Energy LP, sponsors of HCF’s 60th anniversary.  In this 2014 video he discusses why he chose Hamilton Community Foundation as an efficient vehicle for his company’s and his family’s philanthropy.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-UDMIcL5s]

 

Carolyn Milne

As President & CEO from 1995 to 2009 Carolyn Milne was the driving force behind the Foundation’s strategic approach to addressing Hamilton’s complex needs.  In this 60th anniversary video, she reflects on HCF’s ability to bring people together to improve the lives of their fellow Hamiltonians.   

 [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUCRVvUpTD8]

 

 

Michael & Louise Creaghan

Michael & Louise Creaghan

Michael & Louise Creaghan

Michael and Louise Creaghan share the belief that commitment to family then community is crucial. Both have volunteered extensively throughout their lives and know first-hand that working with others on grassroots projects gives people a sense of caring for their neighbours. Whether it’s through daycare, school organizations, sports, church and volunteer associations, people need to find ways to contribute. They point to the Cathy Wever Elementary School in north Hamilton as a good example of the difference community involvement can make for a neighbourhood. The steps may be small and it may take time to see results, but the approach works.

The couple both spent long careers in education in Hamilton – Michael as a teacher and guidance counsellor; Louise as an English and physical education teacher and then, after raising their own children, as an ESL teacher giving young new Canadians 180 min­utes each day of, as she calls it, “fundamental survival English.” After working in many Hamilton schools, they retired together from Sir John A. Macdonald Sec­ondary School in the downtown.

It’s natural that their philan­thropic passion is helping nur­ture community vitality. The Creaghans approached Hamilton Community Foundation with a general sense of what they wanted to do through their fund: provide support to organizations that are building and improv­ing the community. To achieve this, Michael and Louise rely on the Foundation’s research and knowledge to propose specific projects that target community priorities.

“The Foundation staff identify urgent needs and present them to us, knowing the kinds of change we want to support,” says Louise. Examples of their contributions include support for the Native Women’s Shelter renovations and the Neighbourhood Leadership Institute that HCF has launched to encourage and train local grass­roots leaders. As Michael points out, their investment has often been the catalyst for others to provide support as well.

The Creaghans rely on the skill and sensitivity of the Founda­tion’s staff, their in-depth knowl­edge and understanding of com­munity needs and opportunities. They also commend Hamilton Community Foundation’s ability to provide co-operation and lead­ership to other organizations in a non-partisan way.

Excerpt from 2013-14 Annual Report

John Frid

John Frid

John Frid

John Frid – also known by his stage name Jonathan Frid – was an accomplished actor with a 50-year career that began in a school play at Hillfield School, the precursor to Hillfield Strathallan College.

He pursued his love of acting at the Hamilton Players’ Guild and, after serving in the Royal Canadian Navy during WWII, John graduated from McMaster University in 1948. He went on to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and later to the Yale School of Drama.

To the public, he was best known for his role as vampire Barnabas Collins in the gothic TV daytime drama Dark Shadows that aired 1,225 episodes between 1966 and 1971. He received a reported 6,000 fan letters a week at the height of the show’s popularity and continued to attend Dark Shadows festivals throughout his life. But that role was just one aspect of a distinguished career that included starring roles in theatre and television in the U.S., Canada and England, opposite stars like Katharine Hepburn and Jean Stapleton. 

John Frid

Jonathan Frid as Vampire Barnabus Collins

Although he spent much of his life in New York City, he remained a Canadian citizen and kept strong ties to Hamilton, ultimately moving back to Ancaster in 1994. Says his nephew Donald Frid, “I think he wanted to be close to family and friends in the latter stages of his life. Despite liv­ing away for so long, he knew his heritage was here. He was very proud of the city.”

John believed in the Foundation as a way of supporting a vibrant community. His father Herbert Frid was one of the founders of HCF in 1954 and his mother Flora served on the Foundation’s Board in the 1960s. Their generous philanthropy continues to this day through the Community Fund’s Herbert P. & I. Flora Frid Fund. Their son is following in their footsteps.

“My uncle John was warm, encouraging, and generous, like his mother was,” says Don.

John established his fund in 2002 and enjoyed seeing the difference his gift made during his lifetime. His gift ensures that the John H. Frid Fund will continue that legacy to the Hamilton community he loved.

Excerpt from 2013-14 Annual Report

Bob and Irene Cowan

Bob and Irene Cowan chose the Cowan Family Fund as a way to say thanks

Sacrifices, rewards and a desire to simply “tell them thanks” are the inspiration for The Cowan Family Fund at Hamilton Community Foundation.

The bursary fund honours Bob and Irene Cowan, reflecting their gratitude for the support they received as seniors: from the care Irene has needed in later years, to the assistance that enabled Bob to live at home to age 93. They realized the special skills required by those working with seniors, so this fund will support McMaster University students with an emphasis on those studying gerontology.

Irene and Bob met during the Second World War, and she sacrificed much to join him in Canada. Bob came from a large farming family, and commitments meant sacrificing formal education. Still, he pursued self-education while working as a stationary engineer and following his dream to farm.

Irene, meantime, encouraged an entrepreneurial spirit in their five children, helping them grow and sell vegetables to earn money for “extras.” Married for 65 years, they stubbornly held onto their farm through good times and bad. Ultimately, it was the sale of the land that made The Cowan Family Fund possible.

In later years, both had health challenges requiring long-term care for Irene, while Bob remained on the farm. Still, they always felt lucky to have “caring people in our corner.”

“The bursary represents their desire to pay it forward,” says daughter Lorraine Peckham. “They both felt that nobody should fail to realize their potential because of monetary restrictions.”

Excerpt from Legacy newsletter, Fall 2013

ArcelorMittal Dofasco Inc.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco Inc. has been a key player in Hamilton’s history since 1912 and is known for over a century of service to this community. This year, the company has established a new resource for its corporate philanthropy: the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Fund at Hamilton Community Foundation.

Continuing its long-standing tradition of building community strength, ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s new fund aims to invest in organizations that enrich the community and change the lives of children and youth in the Hamilton region. Access to inspiring programs, imaginative arts, nourishment, and nur­turing health care are some of the youth priorities.

“We know the importance of sparking a child’s curiosity,” says Tony Valeri, the company’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. “It can be the seed of great things to come. Children need only a glimpse of what’s possible, followed by the support to make it happen. Hamilton can be the best place to raise a child and we are proud to play a role in making this happen.”

“Hamilton Community Foundation and ArcelorMittal Dofasco share a long history in Hamilton and some crucial connections,” says HCF’s President & CEO, Terry Cooke. “For many of the Foundation’s 60 years, Dofasco has offered leadership to us in the form of Board members. Trixie Sherman, spouse of past-chairman and CEO Frank H. Sherman, was the first to serve in 1965 and many others have contributed their time and expertise since.”

In addition to funding current grants, the newly established fund is permanently endowed for long-lasting impact.

“Like our company, Hamilton Community Foundation has expertise in creating innovative solutions and partnerships to advance our community,” says Tony Valeri. “We’re looking forward to working together to continue building the community’s strength.”

“We are thrilled to be part of ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s philanthropic outreach,” says Terry Cooke. “The company has a history of charitable giving in the community that is legendary. We are honoured to be a part of it.”

Excerpt from 2013-14 Annual Report

HCF Staff

We’ve always known that HCF staff are committed All Staff 2014to this community.  An outstanding measure of that commitment: they all give to Hamilton Community Foundation and have for many years.

“It hammers home to me how dedicated the staff are to HCF’s mission,” says Board chair Paul Gibel. “There are other places they could work with their great skills, but they are fully engaged in what we are trying to achieve. It’s more than a job. They prove that with their work, and they prove it with their financial contributions. As chair, it gives me a tremendous feeling of confidence.”

The staff fully embrace the idea that anyone can be a philanthropist and the Foundation can meet anyone’s charitable goals. Each employee gives to the cause he or she cares most about, supporting more than a dozen funds overall.

“We believe in the work we do,” says Morag Halsey, whose voice has welcomed callers to HCF for most of her 14 years at the Foundation. “It just makes sense to contribute financially too.” Morag’s special cause is children and she directs her gifts to the Hamilton Spectator Summer Camp Fund. She remembers the challenges of being a single parent and appreciates the opportunities the Summer Camp Fund gives disadvantaged kids every year.

Anne Lupkoski has worked at HCF for 25 years, assisting three CEOs. She supports the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program. Her own chil­dren have participated over the years and she is passionate about the growth she sees in them and others because of the YAC opportunity.

As grants manager, Sharon Charters knows Hamilton’s needs well, She also knows from family experience the importance of mental health initiatives, so she chooses to donate to the Angel Fund, started by Shirley Elford, to focus on programs in this area.

“I think each of us gets a sense of fulfillment from supporting the priority that’s closest to our heart,” says Sharon. “It’s something we all feel as staff contributors, just the way other donors do.”

Excerpt from 2013-14 Annual Report

Women’s Trust Fund

A local group of women joined forces and established the Women’s Trust of Hamilton, Burlington and District – the first local women’s foundation in Canada. The Women’s Trust is a partner of the Canadian Women’s Foundation and a member of the National Network of Women’s Funds (U.S.), a group that has expanded from four to 60 in the last decade.

The Women’s Trust has established a fund with the Hamilton Community Foundation and the proceeds of this fund are used to support women and their children.

 

Community Health Education and Research Fund

The Community Health Education and Research Fund was established by the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Community Foundation by incorporating the existing McGregor Clinic Fund and two new funds given to the Hamilton Community Foundation in 1996 -The Dorothy and Frank Bliss Fund and The Mary S. Phin and James P. Phin Respiratory Diseases Research Fund.

All of these donors were committed to building a community that is a healthy place for all to live, learn and work.