Laura & Tim Beattie

When I hear “It takes a village to raise a child”, I think of the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington and, in particular, the Scholarships program. I think of young students eagerly challenging themselves academically and pursuing their goals, but unfortunately due to their personal circumstances, their dreams for the fulfilling future they imagined go unrealized. I reflect on the impact a scholarship had on me as a post-secondary student when I was given a helping hand. I think of how the generosity awarded to me helped to raise me up and realize my academic goals and now allows me to pay it forward. The financial aid these scholarships provide to students are so much more than a cheque for contributing to tuition. It decreases the mental gymnastics a student endures trying to figure out how to pay for school and books, rent and groceries, maintain their mental, emotional and physical health, allows them to focus on the future, and shows students that the village has the trust and confidence in them to pursue their education. I urge others who are thinking of making a difference to reflect on how financially contributing to the education of our young adults can make a positive difference in their lives. It’s exciting, rewarding and validating to learn how positively these scholarships affect the students and how appreciative they are. ~ Laura Beattie 

_{Photo Above: Tim and Laura Beattie accepting their Visionary Donor Plaque of Recognition in 2022.}