Donor Stories
We are grateful to all of our supporters! With the support of these individuals and organizations, more kids in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin are having fun, smiling, and seeing a brighter future. Our Donor Stories highlight many different donors and how they've supported CFGW!
From its humble beginnings as a family-owned business in the shortwave radio market to a multinational, industry-leading magnetic transformer designer and manufacturer, Hammond Power Solutions has always been an important presence in the communities it operates in. This 4th generation family business has continued to support the Children’s Foundation and many other Guelph-based charities over its 105 years of...
Hutton Forest Products is working hand-in-hand with the Children’s Foundation, with a give of over $100,000 to help build brighter futures for children and youth in our community. In 2022, the Founder of Hutton Forest Products Inc. (HFPI), James Hutton, became increasingly concerned with the well-being of kids in our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. HFPI decided to help fund...
As 2020 comes to an end, we wanted to take a moment to look back at the incredible impact that YOU helped us make in the community this year. Though 2020 has been a year with many challenges, it has also been a year where we have seen so much compassion, community support, and kindness! At the start of the pandemic,...
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is pleased to announce the receipt of a transformational gift of $100,000 from the Estate of Klara and Oscar Bookbinder. The Foundation says this donation will be used to fund music education for children and youth, in honour of the Bookbinder’s legacy as music teachers, composers, and scholars. “It’s clear how important music...
For three years, Linda Bream has been a dedicated and caring member of the Children's Foundation Board of Directors, and is especially passionate about her role as a member of the Scholarship Committee. When Linda was approached by another Children’s Foundation Board Member, and asked to join the Board, she knew without question this was a good fit. Linda...
As a supporter of the Adopt-A-Family Program and a father of two university-aged students, Dr. John Tait and his wife Kim understand the importance of supporting children as they grow so they can become successful adults. One element of that growth which is particularly important to John is having the opportunity to not only attend post-secondary education but to...
There is a great sense of love and accomplishment felt by all who have taken part in the Adopt-A-Family Program this year. We have had a record-breaking year, supporting 1,109 families and reaching 2,385 children to date. These numbers will continue to grow as we receive emergency referals that right up until Christmas Day. We have had 926 donors...
Our programs focus on providing brighter futures for children but it really is the whole family that benefits. James, at 10 was thrilled to score a goal in hockey from the blue line for the first time. Luckily the Grants Program was able to be there with the financial means to make that possible. His family found themselves in...
Alex ~ Scholarship Recipient 2016 Growing up, Alex was interested in architecture or design, fascinated with drawing and making new things that could be tangible and memorable. Unfortunate circumstances, including foster care and later an independent living situation, placed financial constraints that applied a troublesome pressure on Alex, forcing him to make the decision to work full-time in property maintenance...
The first Fresh Food for Kids baskets from Market Fresh were delivered this week to five families and the response from them has already been so uplifting. We heard from one parent with three children who just two weeks ago, was a determined single mom about to graduate from college and confidently return to the workforce. This was to be...
During this pandemic, we are all being challenged in many ways and called to draw upon our resiliency to cope with the isolation and restrictions we’re facing. Children are not immune to the damaging effects of long-term isolation and may struggle even more than adults without their usual outlets for learning and development, including free play. Over the past 14 weeks,...
Children's Foundation Benefactor Canadian Tire Jumpstart has been a partner of the Free to Play Program since 2009. Their funding has been a significant factor in the increase in the number of children funded by Free to Play since that time. Jumpstart recognized as a Visionary of the Foundation. The partnership allowed the Children’s Foundation to become...
RBC has invested over $100,000 in our community to bring brighter futures of children in need. Their support of our programs began with a focus on the Food & Friends program several years ago. Today, RBC funds a board range of our programs and fundraising initiatives. This has included generous donations as part of the 2011 RBC Dominion Securities...
Breakfast for Learning provides direct funding, including in-kind and equipment to Food & Friends programs. Breakfast for Learning is the leading, national non-profit organization solely dedicated to child nutrition programs in Canada. As the nation’s lead advocate for quality nutrition in schools, they provide nutrition grants that allow programs to obtain food, equipment and staff required to meet...
Breakfast Club of Canada provides kitchen equipment, food, and funding to Food & Friends programs. Programs increased their ability to provide healthy and nutritious food and maintain a balanced menu with the donations of yogurt and orange and apple juice and other food purchased with the grants. It is Breakfast Club of Canada’s dream that all children have...
Teresa Durigon shared in a video message at the Around the World Gala that the Children's Foundation reminds her of the village of support that she grew up with when first arriving in Canada as a child. For kids that don't have a village of support like she did, the programs and support provided by the Foundation become...
The City of Guelph has been committed to providing affordable recreation to residents for many years through their FAIR (Fee Assistance In Recreation) program, which supported both children and adults. In 2008, several community organizations came together to work on a joint vision of developing a new, responsive approach to a fair, equitable and centralized funding process, which would...
The Guelph Wish Fund for Children was founded to provide wishes to children and young people who are terminally ill, suffering from a life-threatening disease or who have been critically injured. When a need arises in the community which clearly supports their mandate, The Guelph Wish Fund for Children may also choose to provide financial contributions to other charities....
Fred Promoli is recognized as Sandra Weafer Community Champion. Fred Promoli was recognized as the Sandra Weafer Community Champions at the 2011 Around the World Gala. He provided the single largest donation that our organization has received in 2011. The timing could not have been better with the rise in demand for our programs that have occurred over the...
The seeds for Guelph Soccer were planted in the 1960's, at a time when youth soccer did not really exist in the area. Guelph Soccer had its modest begin nings in 1966 when forty young boys paid a mere $1 each to register, and were split into four teams of ten players. At that time, the club's...
The Grocery Foundation has been a long-time supporter of student nutrition programs in Ontario, “feeding better futures” by donating over $85 million to charities since 1979. They are a natural partner for the Children’s Foundation Food & Friends Program, thanks to a shared vision to provide children with the healthy nutrition they need to learn and succeed in school, as...
The L.J. Pearson Foundation, headed by Larry Pearson and his son, Shawn, has made significant contributions to the betterment of Guelph over many decades. A multi-generational Guelph family, their impact in the world of sports and recreation in the Royal City has been felt through infrastructure projects such as splash pads, baseball diamonds, and improvements to the University...
Children's Foundation Benefactor The Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) acknowledges that nutritious food helps kids learn and has invested core funding into Student Nutrition Programs, including Food & Friends. MCYS envisions an Ontario where children and youth have the best opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential. By providing healthy breakfasts, morning meals, snacks,...
The Children’s Foundation has been fortunate enough to receive grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation twice. The most recent grant focused on strengthening Food & Friends by building service capacity and generating increased awareness of hunger and poverty issues within Wellington and Dufferin County. This was accomplished by increasing the number of student nutrition programs; increasing student participation...
Scott Pollard has supported the Children's Foundation for over a decade. Scott joined the Board of Directors in 2003 helping guide the organization through a critical time in its growth including the hiring of the organization's first Executive Director, the inaugural Around the World Gala and welcoming Food & Friends as a Children's Foundation Program. Supporting the Children's Foundation has...
Balnar Management has been a long-time and generous supporter of the Children’s Foundation. Their support has helped us achieve new heights literally and figuratively. Balnar is the presenting sponsor of the Southern Ontario Amazing Race. They have also supported the race logistically by providing their buildings for exciting challenges like ziplining between their Twin Towers apartments. Each year...
Thank You to Hendrix Genetics and their employees for their support of student nutrition programs across Guelph and Wellington Region. The ongoing employee-giving donations and corporate-matching program have raised (since 2016) more than $180,000 in support of local student nutrition programs at Food & Friends and Nutrition for Learning. “The Children's Foundation has such a positive impact on the health...
Cargill has been part of the Guelph community since 2005 and is home to two facilities - the Dunlop Beef facility and the Watson Case Ready facility, employing around 1,600 employees. Cargill has demonstrated their dedication to the area through their Corporate Responsibility/Community Relationship mandate, committing approximately $500,000 annually towards programs and initiatives with local NGO's and charitable organizations, including...
The impact that Contract Express LTD has made in our community is incredible and it is evident that they are truly committed to supporting families in need in Guelph and Wellington. Jennifer O'Neil, Contract Express Partner and VP, recently shared that recognizing what she and her husband took for granted and what they are able to provide their own children,...
Dave & Cindy have given generously to the Foundation not only financially but with countless volunteer hours dedicated to Board involvement, coordination of the Adopt-A-Family Program and many other outings including selling pop at Ribfest and collecting trees at Trees for Tots. Hundreds of children's lives have been brightened due to their thoughtful and giving nature. ...
As a recreational partner to our Free to Grow Program, the Guelph Minor Hockey Association (GMHA) is making hockey more accessible to families living in low-income situations. Since 2010, the GMHA has waived a portion of registration fees for children and youth who are eligible for the Free to Grow Program. This centralized approach helps applying for financial...
The Adopt-a-Family program is a festive tradition for members of the Guelph Police Service (GPS). The tradition started in 2004 at a platoon level and, in 2005, it quickly grew to an organization-wide initiative which they have come to call “The Cops & Kids Christmas Campaign.” Over the years, GPS has helped make Christmas brighter for over 150...
Local children are doing flips over our great partnership with Guelph Saultos Gymnastics. Their donation of waived fees for the Free to Grow program helps us stretch our dollars further, allowing more kids to experience the fantastic world of gymnastics. One mom whose daughter received assistance wrote us: "Tara was able to improve her social skills in several ways and...
Children's Foundation Visionary The Mactaggart Team in Guelph is one of those supporters that we can count on all year and is always there to help, no matter the request. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment including their annual support of the Around the World Gala and our Adopt-A-Family Program. The Mactaggart Team has also...
North America Construction Ltd (NAC) is an industry-leading organization providing Master Builder services to the municipal, civil, energy and biofuels marketplaces. Since their humble beginnings in 1993, NAC has been recognized for their strong commitment to safety, responsible action, and ethical leadership, and they employ roughly 500 highly skilled, certified trades people across Canada. As a 100% employee-owned company, their...
OTIP (Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan) is committed to providing quality insurance benefits and advice for the best value. They accomplish this through product and service excellence to meet the unique needs of Ontario's education employees and their insured members. OTIP nurtures a tradition of philanthropy. OTIP and its members, including Ontario education employees, policyholders, employees and Trustees, have...
The W.C. Wood Foundation has provided support where needed over the years, often stepping up to meet emergency needs including providing funds to purchase grocery gift cards and gifts for teens for last minute Adopt-A-Family referrals. They recognize that the need is great in our community and want to be part of the "village" that helps support children who need...
The Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) has been a valued partner of the Children’s Foundation for many years. Working with students every day, their staff see firsthand the day-to-day struggles that some face. The staff connects these students to our programs through referrals to the Adopt-A-Family, Free to Grow and Scholarships Programs. A mom who recently received financial...
Jennark Homes and Williams & McDaniel Property Management are increasing their annual support to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington Food & Friends Program to ensure students have the nutrition they need to learn. For the fourth school year, Jennark and Williams & McDaniel are fully funding Food & Friends programs at James McQueen and Victoria Terrace...
As a partner to our Free to Grow Program, the County of Wellington is helping children and youth living in the County have access to recreational activities. Their funding has helped us grow the number of children in low-income families access activities like camp, sports and music since the partnership began in 2008. The County of Wellington...
Children's Foundation Champion 1 Stone Road / OMAFRA The employees at 1 Stone Road in Guelph are the perfect example of community. Collectively they have adopted countless families through our Adopt-A-Family Program. Staff from various government agencies within the building have put their heart into ensuring children in need have gifts under the tree. This wouldn't happen without some amazing...
Peter & Fiona Barrow have been passionate and long-term supporters of the Children Foundation. Peter is the Past Chair of the Board of Directors. He and Fiona have generously supported us over the years as both volunteers and financial supporters personally and through their business, Petrona Communications. In celebration of the Foundation's 25th Anniversary, Peter wrote the article...
Brenda Gibson has led a committee in building a great community event, Inspiration Guelph which celebrates and supports music and arts education in Guelph and Wellington County. The concert combines over 100 professional and aspiring student performers and raises funds for our Free to Play Program to provide financial assistance to low-income children so that they can take music and art lessons, and...
Children’s Foundation Champion Every year, the Children's Foundation goes on the hunt for a seasonal home for the Adopt-A-Family Program, relying on the generosity of a local business to provide them with a donated space to set up their "Santa's Workshop". If ever there is a time to believe in Christmas miracles, this is it! For three years,...
Corus Entertainment and its local stations Magic 106.1 and CJOY have been helping us get the word out for many years. This support helps create a greater awareness of our programs to those people who need them and increases community support of our fundraising initiatives. Most notably, Magic & CJOY have always been highly involved with promoting the Help...
Burnham Insurance and Financial Services Ltd., Co-operators Insurance is a dedicated supporter of the Children's Foundation. Most notably, they are the presenting sponsor of the Around the World Gala. The sponsorship that Dan and the Co-operators have provided to the Around the World Gala could not have come at a better time. With their contribution, the event...
Children's Foundation Champion Embree & Co. LLP has been a dedicated and passionate supporter for over ten years. Originally their support began by contributing to the Adopt-A-Family Program. Catherine Embree shared how the decision to support Adopt-A-Family first began. "Our employees and partners had many young children. We reflected that we were very fortunate and wanted to...
Hear about Lennie & Nellie's passion for Adopt-A-Family in this video. Since 2012, Lennie and Nellie Diakiw gathered with friends in the fall at the Victoria Park East Golf Club for a friendly tournament, auction, and dinner to raise funds for the Children's Foundation Adopt-A-Family Program through the Friends of Diakiw Invitational. From a simple intention to do something...
Children's Foundation Champion GFTC Board of Directors with 6 Charity Directors. Food and Friends, a program of The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington received a very generous donation of $28,000 from the GFTC Legacy Fund on September 11, 2013. This donation will provide five of our student nutrition programs with funding to assist them in feeding...
"I believe it all started when a woman who worked here heard on the radio about a family who needed help,” says Colleen Pearse, Administrative Assistant, Metering & Conservation at Guelph Hydro. "We have been involved ever since.” "Participation from employees is completely voluntary,” says Colleen. They typically get enough interest that they can adopt multiple families and...
The Kiwanis Club of Guelph have been long-standing supporters of children in our community through their many fundraising and community efforts. In particular, their donations to the Free to Grow and Adopt-A-Family Programs of the Children's Foundation have given more kids the chance to play, learn, grow, feel inspired with hope, and dream of a brighter future for...
Linamar has been a generous supporter of local children for many years. Like their motto, they are helping provide the power to perform for children living in low-income families so that they can reach their full potential. Linamar's support has spanned from adopting families in need during the Holidays through Adopt-A-Family to their annual support of the third party...
The Lorraine MacDonald Fund was set up to honour the memory of its namesake. Since 2009, the fund has made annual donations to support the well-being of children in Guelph and Wellington. We are grateful to the MacDonald family for the support. To help bring about a world where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential...
McNeil Consumer Healthcare has been a supporter of Adopt-A-Family for many years. Various departments adopt families each year. Each department has always put an incredible amount of thoughtfulness, time and generosity into making the best Christmas possible for the families they support. The gifts they provide each year do more for these families than just the gifts themselves,...
Children's Foundation Champion Jennifer & Jason O'Neil Jennifer & Jason O'Neil have been supporters of the Children's Foundation for over 10 years. They first became involved when Jen joined the Around the World Gala Committee. She soon became Chair of that committee and served in that role for many years. During this time, she put a considerable amount of time...
Children's Foundation Champion Paul Tribe of Uniglobe Discover Travel supported the Around the World Gala since its inaugural year in 2006. The Around the World Gala has become the premier fundraiser for The Children’s Foundation and this is largely due to the generous trip donation from Uniglobe Discover Travel each year. Grand Prize winners have jetted off to Tuscany, Paris and...
Many hands make light work! And this phrase holds true for 10 employee volunteers at Sifton Property Management in Guelph. As side-by-side neighbours, Sifton Property Management have always been supporters of Priory Park Public School. They have assisted the school financially by purchasing birthday books for each student to celebrate their special day; have contributed to the school’s playground...
Scotiabank has been a generous supporter of Trees for Tots and Brush Off Guelph since the beginning. Their sponsorship of these events has helped them evolve into invaluable fundraisers that have helped us meet the increasing needs in our community. Along with the financial support, Scotiabank staff members have been on-site with us ensuring that these events have the...
The Blessings to You Centre in Palmerston has recently made a huge impact on local children and youth, as they donated $10,000 to the Children’s Foundation Food & Friends and Free to Grow programs. $2,000 will each be directed to the Palmerston Public School, Minto Clifford Public School and Norwell District Secondary School’s breakfast/morning meal programs. All of our 106...
Brad Clemes Since 2009, golfers gather at the Springfield Golf & Country Club to enjoy a day in the sun with family and friends at the annual Brad Clemes Memorial Golf Tournament. This day also provides an opportunity to remember the wonderful son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend who tragically lost his life in 2009 on...
"Our singular purpose for our supporting The Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is because we believe strongly that the children we support and encourage represent the future of our community. The Children's Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is all about providing opportunities and encouragement to the young people of our community. Our commitment has not been limited to Adopt...
MJS Entertainment MJS Entertainment A group of four childhood friends are using their talent for throwing epic parties to do some good in the community. Mike, Steve, Matt and Jim make up the quartet behind MJS Entertainment. “We chose the Children’s Foundation because we all knew someone who had been impacted by their programs or who had been involved with...
Staples is making a huge difference across Canada through their 2 Million & Change campaign. The campaign engaged its associates to vote for charities in their region to receive a portion of the $150,000 they were distributing across Canada. The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington was elated to find out that we were voted by our region as...
Children's Foundation Partner Every year, the Children's Foundation goes on the hunt for a seasonal home for the Adopt-A-Family Program, relying on the generosity of a local business to provide us with a donated "Santa's Workshop". Needless to say, this can be a worrisome task as there's never a guarantee that the right space will be found in time. ...
Donaldson Family Foundation Primrose Elementary School’s Food & Friends Program is feeding every student in the school a healthy breakfast every day of the week. Due to a boundary change and the addition of 100 students, the breakfast program began to grow at a rapid rate. They hadn’t taken into account the financial impact this would have on their program,...
We are really lucky to have a partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Guelph Trillium that has helped us raise awareness of our services and at the same time raise funds for them. The Club support school nutrition programs through our Food & Friends program. With their help, many children have replaced their hunger for food with a healthy thirst for...
Leanne McSherry, a member of the Zonta Club of Guelph, feels that their focus on service locally and globally really can make the world a better place to live. "If people feel cared for, they act differently.” Zonta members show this caring nature at one of their favourite annual service activities, a gift wrapping night for the Adopt-A-Family program....
Triumph Tool Ltd. is a family-run business that has operated in Guelph for 41 years. Currently run by John, Patrick, & Leslie Duffy, the local business believes in taking care of their community. After years of throwing a Christmas party for staff and their families and taking care of them as family, Leslie realized that they wanted to...
It’s not often that you come across a large national organization with a culture so strongly rooted in giving back to the local community. That’s what you can expect when you walk in the doors of Skyline Group of Companies here in Guelph. Skyline’s reach is vast: it does business in more than 160 communities across Canada, and it...
When you enter the doors at Alliance Roofing here in Guelph, you will first be greeted by Stella, the gentle giant German Shepard. After a quick belly rub for Stella, the Office Manager, Cheryl (and Stella’s mum), will greet you with a warm smile and welcome you in. There is a comfortable community feel to the office that...
Bill Gillam, owner of the Shelburne Home Hardware store, started the Donate A Plate fundraiser four years ago because he wanted to do more for the community. So he asks for donations from the contractors who purchase goods from the store. The community participates by purchasing a paper plate to represent a breakfast plate for one of the five...
Thanks to a grant from the Musagetes Fund, a donor advised fund within the Guelph Community Foundation, more children in our community had the opportunity to explore what they are most passionate about including pottery, drawing lessons, music, dance, acting and improv. The lessons, funded through the Children’s Foundation Free to Play Program and taught by inspiring local instructors, fostered...
Carrie learned what she likes. This year she played soccer with the support of the Children’s Foundation Free to Play Program. She even scored a goal. However, when asked if she would play again, she says "I would but I love to dance and sing and act.” Follow your passions Carrie! Kirsten is following her dream to become a veterinarian...
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington has been included on the Financial Post’s annual Charities of the Year List. This year’s list “The Top Children’s Charities Worth Your Money” features 23 charities from across Canada and includes primarily national charities. To build the list, the Financial Post scrutinized 740 children’s charities that raise more than $100,000 annually. The ratings...
You did it! We knew 2016 was going to be great. But, it was even brighter than we thought. Watch this video to find out how: Help us keep 2017 bright by making a year end donation or sign up to be a monthly donor and support local children all year long. Thank you for everything you did to...
Alliance Roofing is ensuring that one graduating student in our community will have the chance to attend post-secondary education by providing financial support for the 2017 Future Fund Scholarship for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School. Future Fund Scholarships are provided to each high school in Guelph and Wellington every school year. The scholarship is awarded to an...
We will be recognizing some of our strongest community champions at the annual Around the World Gala next Saturday, loyally presented by Dan Burnham and The Co-operators Insurance. Dan’s agency is one of these champions: Dan Burnham and the Co-operators Insurance was the recipient of the Sponsor of the Year Award at the Gala in 2012. The Children’s Foundation relies...
Dr. Cool & Dr. Fox present the proceeds from the Mouthguard Clinic We were honoured to be selected as a joint recipient of Speedvale Dental's Annual Mouthguard Clinic along with the Guelph Storm's Adopt A School Program. This was the 9th Annual Mouthguard Clinic for Speedvale Dental. Attendees had the chance to meet the Guelph Storm mascot, get autographs from...
Taylor McDaniel, Jennifer Mochrie and Clark McDaniel present $17,000 to the Children's Foundation Food & Friends Program. Jennark Homes and Williams & McDaniel Property Management are increasing their annual support to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington Food & Friends Program to ensure students have the nutrition they need to learn. For the fourth school year, Jennark and...