Camosun donors nominated for National Philanthropy Awards
November 12, 2009
Every year National Philanthropy Day celebrates those who give back generously to our community. This year the Camosun College Foundation proudly nominates three of its outstanding donors for the prestigious awards:
Victoria Imperial Lions Club: Outstanding Philanthropy Service Club nominee
The 22 members of the Victoria Imperial Lions Club (VILC) certainly live their motto: “Ready to help!” Although the Lions are best known for fighting blindness, the VILC provides funds to help a variety of local organizations each year. At Camosun College, they’ve created the Al Hayman Memorial Bursary for students with visual disabilities. Today the endowment tops over $45,000. They have also established a Disability Resource Centre Loan Fund to help Camosun’s disabled students get their printed course materials created in alternate formats and provide software for Camosun’s Solutions for Blind Readers program. Recently, the Club has pledged $6,000 toward special desks for the College’s current Love Your Learning Library revitalization project.
Allen and Loreen Vandekerkhove Family Foundation: Spirit of Generosity Award nominee
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(l-r) Alanna Holroyd and Dr. Loreen Vandekerkhove with Camosun’s Janice Simcoe and Susan Haddon |
The Vandekerkhove Family Foundation works tirelessly to help countless Victoria non-profit organizations. Founded in 1989 by Dr. Allen Vandekerkhove and Dr. Loreen Vandekerkhove, the Foundation has donated over $4.5 million to the local region. The Vandekerkhove Family Foundation has a special interest in Camosun College’s Aboriginal students. Since 2004, they have proven to be a leading supporter of the College’s Indigenous Education students and programs. The Vandekerkhove Foundation Endowment, now at a generous $110,000, provides annual awards and financial support to more than 30 Aboriginal students in Health and Human Service programs (including Nursing and Continuing Care). In 2008, the Foundation also established Camosun’s first-ever Indigenous Business Leadership Award, providing $2,000 each to two students annually in the College’s new Indigenous Business Leadership program.
Peninsula Co-op: Corporate Citizenship Award nominee
Peninsula Co-op believes in “Moving Ahead by Giving Back.” Besides offering their members gas rebates and encouraging their staff to volunteer in the community, the company provides significant financial and in-kind support to the communities where Co-op does business. Peninsula Co-op continued its support of Camosun College this year after donating $120,000 to the College’s Love Your Learning Library campaign. This valuable contribution is helping Camosun libraries expand their electronic and print library collections, provide triple the computer workstations, create new electronic learning labs and create a centralized Learning Skills Centre for students. In past years the Co-op has also established a special endowment to create bursaries for students in need and an academic award to honour Sport and Exercise Education students who promote healthy lifestyles.
The Camosun College Foundation is proud to recognize the incredible, far-reaching work of the Victoria Imperial Lions Club, the Vandekerkhove Family Foundation and Peninsula Co-op by nominating them for this year’s National Philanthropy Day awards.
Recipients will be announced at Victoria’s National Philanthropy Day breakfast, hosted by the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (Victoria) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Victoria) at the Empress Hotel, Thursday, November 19. Best wishes to all!
