Best of Weekly News Recap: January 4, 2018

Jocelyn Bell Burnell. The woman who discovered pulsars finally gets credit half a century later. (Getty Images, c. 1967)

Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won't have a title until much later. -- Bob Goff

Welcome to our first annual "Best of the Recap". We reviewed all of the sector news we shared in the weekly recaps from 2018, literally hundreds of articles and posts, to bring you these "best of" selections. Beginning next week, we will return with our regularly scheduled ViTreo Weekly News Recap. Until then, enjoy revisiting these top stories and welcome to 2019!

Inspirational stories from 2018

The surprising (but not really) story of how a group of teenagers began to turn the tide against gun violence in the U.S. A story of what it takes to be last. A new arm, a shoe shining philanthropist, the coolest BMXer ever, and an amazing story of collaboration. All this and a canine war hero.

  • The Story of Dyngo, a War Dog Brought Home From Combat (Smithsonian Magazine) I am a sucker for dogs. Especially working dogs. Particularly war dogs. This story was just the right one to lead me into 2019. January 2019

  • The Friendship That Made Google Huge (The New Yorker) This is a terrific read about one of the world's greatest collaborations. No, this is not about one of the other ones (also at Google), this is about Jeff and Sanjay. Enjoy. I did. "Today, Google’s engineers exist in a Great Chain of Being that begins at Level 1. At the bottom are the I.T. support staff. Level 2s are fresh out of college; Level 3s often have master’s degrees. Getting to Level 4 takes several years, or a Ph.D. Most progression stops at Level 5. Level 6 engineers—the top ten per cent—are so capable that they could be said to be the reason a project succeeds; Level 7s are Level 6s with a long track record. Principal Engineers, the Level 8s, are associated with a major product or piece of infrastructure. Distinguished Engineers, the Level 9s, are spoken of with reverence. To become a Google Fellow, a Level 10, is to win an honor that will follow you for life. Google Fellows are usually the world’s leading experts in their fields. Jeff and Sanjay are Google Senior Fellows—the company’s first and only Level 11s." 12/5/18

  • VIDEO: Try to Keep Up With America’s Oldest Female BMX Racer (Great Big Story) Need some inspiration. Watch! "Kittie Weston-Knauer loves a challenge, so best not get in her way. She started BMX racing at 40 years old, initially competing against men and later working with the sport’s sanctioning bodies to create a women's cruiser division. Now 70 years old, 'Miss Kittie' feels like she wins every time she gets out on that track … and she has no intention of hanging up her helmet." December 2018

  • He spent 30 years shining shoes -- and raised more than $200,000 for sick kids (CNN) ”Every Tuesday and Thursday, Albert Lexie shined shoes at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. He did this every week, for 30 years. He died [in October] at age 76. What makes Lexie's story so remarkable is what he did with the money he collected in tips. He donated them all to a fund that helped sick kids. More than $200,000.” 10/25/18

  • 5-year-old gets new arm at the Home Depot (Washington Post) "The prosthesis is one of about 120 that Longo, a [Home Depot] hardware sales associate who lives in Crownsville, has fabricated and donated to children and adults with missing hands and limbs over the past year and a half." 7/30/18

  • Lawson Craddock's Amazing Last-Place Finish In The Tour De France (NPR) "A fractured shoulder blade, cobblestone roads, the Alps and Pyrenees: None was enough to stop U.S. cyclist Lawson Craddock from finishing the Tour de France [...]. Wearing number 13, he suffered a bad crash on the race's first day — and refused to quit." And he managed to raise $225,000 for his home velodrome in Houston that was damaged during Hurricane Harvey. Lawson, you have all of our respect. #lanternerouge 7/30/18

  • War Room (New York Magazine) *A fascinating and inspirational look at the movement that saw teenage strategy sessions build an anti-gun movement out of the trauma of Parkland in one week." 3/6/18

Canadian (mostly) news stories of 2018

The year started with four cute pandas. From there, a new chancellor, then an honorary degree controversy. A Canadian newspaper became a nonprofit and a bridge was renamed. Three new universities were born and a major homelessness campaign wound down. Long-overdue recognition was offered (and accepted) and a surprising benefactor was revealed. Canada emancipated cetaceans and a digital flower was announced. From the ashes of a national tragedy the beginning of closure. And to close out the year, doctors began to prescribe art. What a year!

  • Doctors can now prescribe a visit to the ROM through a new initiative to combat anxiety and loneliness (Toronto Star) TORONTO STORY This is a trending idea worldwide. More please. "The Rexdale Community Health Centre [...] is among Ontario community health centres taking part in a pilot program that offers social and artistic remedies — including choir classes, fishing lessons, knitting and a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum — as an alternative treatment for certain health issues such as anxiety and loneliness. The ROM announced [...] it would be offering 5,000 free passes, each valid for four people, as part of the project." 12/6/18

  • Humboldt Broncos families should get rest of $15M fund by Christmas (CBC) SASKATCHEWAN STORY Well done all. What a Canadian ending to a Canadian story. "Millions of dollars raised online after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash should be handed out to families before Christmas, Justice Neil Gabrielson ruled Wednesday, clearing the way for the remainder of the $15 million fund to be distributed." 11/28/18

  • Royal Canadian Legion launches digital poppy (CBC) CANADIAN STORY Welcome to the digital age! Love it! ”The Royal Canadian Legion is embracing the digital age with a new virtual version of the symbolic poppy. ‘We really need to go with the times, and we're trying to reach a younger audience,’ Pamela Sweeny, the Ontario Legion's provincial executive director, told CBC's London Morning [...].” 11/4/18

  • Senate passes bill that would ban whale, dolphin captivity in Canada (CBC) CANADIAN STORY ”After a multi-year legislative battle, a bill to outlaw keeping cetaceans like whales and dolphins in captivity has cleared the Senate — all but ensuring the end of a once-popular theme park attraction in Canada. S-203 — first introduced by now-retired Liberal senator Wilfred Moore in December 2015, with the backing of Green Party Leader Elizabeth May — would ban keeping and breeding these marine mammals in captivity through amendments to the Criminal Code.” 10/24/18

  • Amanda Lindhout reveals the Calgary benefactor who paid her ransom in Somalia (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY Anyone who has ever worked with this donor is not the least bit surprised. Ms. Lindhout’s story is one of amazing courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances. This donor’s response was one in keeping with a lifetime of care and philanthropy. Thanks to Scott Decksheimer for sharing this story. 10/16/18

  • She made the discovery, but a man got the Nobel. A half-century later, she’s won a $3 million prize. (Washington Post) Late. But it's a start. What a story. Amazing human. This woman discovered pulsars, one of the most important astronomical finds of the 20th century. Oh, and she gave the prize away. "[Half] a century after her pioneering work, it was announced that [Jocelyn] Bell Burnell will receive a $3 million Breakthrough Prize, one of the most lucrative and prestigious awards in science. The special award in fundamental physics, given for her scientific achievements and 'inspiring leadership,' has only been granted three times before." 9/9/18

  • Pioneering Calgary eye surgeon to transition to teaching after undergoing surgery (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY "After a 54-year surgical career, Dr. Howard Gimbel is set to change his focus to teaching and mentoring as he prepares to undergo a procedure to remove a cancerous tumour. Gimbel, 84, said a mild symptom brought him to a doctor and led to the discovery of a tumour beside his left eye. Since radiation or chemotherapy are not possible in this case, removing the tumour will also require removal of the eye. Without binocular vision, he will no longer be able to perform surgeries." What a great human. 7/13/18

  • Resolve campaign a huge success (Regina Leader Post) CALGARY STORY From all of us at ViTreo to all of you at RESOLVE, congrats! What a fantastic achievement for Calgary's homeless. "It’s a known fact that providing homes for homeless people is the first step for them to change their lives. This philosophy, called Housing First, was the driving force behind the Resolve campaign, started six years ago in Calgary to provide homes for homeless and vulnerable Calgarians. Through the generous philanthropy of Calgarians and companies based in the city, the Resolve campaign raised enough money to build affordable rental housing for its goal of 3,000 people." 6/23/18

  • Across Canada, more colleges are transitioning to universities (University Affairs) CANADIAN STORY "The college-to-university transition is a recurring phenomenon in Canada. Two other Alberta colleges [in addition to Red Deer College, Grande Prairie Community College, and the Alberta College of Art + Design] made a similar transition less than a decade ago, while British Columbia saw five postsecondary institutions (three university-colleges and two colleges) become universities back in 2008. Yukon College is also slated to officially become a university within a couple of years, and Sheridan College in Ontario has stated its interest in becoming a university by 2020." 6/6/18

  • Reconciliation Bridge renamed as 'symbol of resilience' for residential school survivors (CBC) CALGARY STORY "Songs, drums and the pounding of feet echoed across Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge and the Bow River [...] as the city held an official renaming ceremony for the 108-year-old landmark. The bridge was built in 1910 and originally named for Hector-Louis Langevin, a founder of Canada's confederation and one of the architects of the infamous residential school system. City council voted to change the bridge's name in 2017, and about 150 people gathered in the northeast end of downtown Calgary to see the new sign unveiled." 5/30/18

  • Montreal's La Presse to become non-profit entity (CBC) MONTREAL STORY This is an emerging trend across North America. "A bastion of Quebec journalism, La Presse, is undergoing a major change, severing ties with the powerful Desmarais family and becoming a non-profit entity [...]. The family will donate $50 million to the new entity." 5/8/18

  • Law firm that pulled U of A donation in wake of Suzuki controversy to give cash to students’ union instead (Star Edmonton) EDMONTON STORY "The law firm that pulled a donation to the University of Alberta after the school announced an honorary degree for David Suzuki said it’s giving the money straight to students instead." 4/27/18

  • Deborah Yedlin named University of Calgary's next chancellor (CBC) CALGARY STORY Congrats to you Deborah and congrats to the UoC! "Calgary business journalist Deborah Yedlin has been selected as the next chancellor of the University of Calgary." 4/27/18

  • Humboldt Broncos GoFundMe closes, raises more than $15M (CBC) SASKATCHEWAN STORY "The GoFundMe page dedicated to the Humboldt Broncos, believed to be the largest of its kind in Canadian history, stopped taking donations [...] as planned. The page displays a final total of $15,185,700 raised from more than 142,000 contributors in 12 days from across Canada and numerous countries around the world." 4/19/18

  • Four giant pandas settle into new home at Calgary Zoo (Globe and Mail) CALGARY STORY *"They can’t be seen by the public, not for another month at least. But the giant pandas of China have pulled into Calgary like rock stars on their biggest tour, like headliners at a panda-palooza." 3/30/18

Best tiny fundraisers of 2018

Philanthropy takes many forms. The love of human kind is often best expressed by the tiniest of acts. You will read about sleeping bags, doughnuts, lemonade, and nursing homes. All beautiful. Each great. Enjoy!

  • Calgary boy continues annual mission to help city's homeless stay warm (CBC) CALGARY STORY "It's Tate Parker's fourth year of collecting and handing out sleeping bags to homeless people outside the Mustard Seed in downtown Calgary. And he shows no signs of stopping any time soon. The cheery eight-year-old buys the used bags for a dollar a piece out of his own money from people looking to donate. This year he roped in friends and even his school to help out. You'll find him outside the Mustard Seed a few days before Christmas, wearing a smile and a Santa hat." 12/21/18

  • This Boy's Impressive Thank-You Mission Goes Together Like Cops and Doughnuts (Radio.com) "This 11-year-old is delivering police officers across the country a lot of gratitude … with frosting and sprinkles on top. Tyler Carach has brought more than 75,000 doughnuts to cops in more than 40 states. He says it's his mission to thank every police officer in America via the cliche snack. Tyler goes by 'Donut Boy,' and he always wears a deliciously colorful cape. The slogan: 'I donut need a reason to thank a cop.'" 11/6/18

  • Sixth-graders in a nursing home — an unlikely but 'life-changing' school year (CBC) SASKATOON STORY I heart this so much! #moreplease "Old people living out their days in nursing homes and young people soaking up lessons in elementary schools live in separate universes — Canada's generational silos. But at the Sherbrooke Community Centre, it's a different story. The Saskatoon nursing home houses 263 high-needs residents. It's also the site of an intergenerational school." 9/21/18

  • Saskatoon girl's lemonade stand raises $40K for cystic fibrosis research (CBC) SASKATOON STORY I heart this story. "Cassidy Evans was only five years old when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. But she refused to let the diagnosis get her down, and instead decided to try to do something about it. Five years after setting up a lemonade stand, the Saskatoon girl has raised $40,000 for research into the inherited genetic disorder." 8/17/18

Transformational ($5 million+) gifts of 2019

From getting the right person to make an ask to an Uber engineer honouring his mother. From rage philanthropy to gifts to support the planet. Then, not one but two gifts from two amazing Edmontonians. From a breathtaking gift to Canadian mental health to one of the largest gifts to cancer research by an individual in Canada. Not one but three schools being named and not one but four billion dollar(+) gifts. From a landmark commitment to youth by a corporation to a legacy gift of land by a prominent western Canadian family. From assistance for refugees to the support for the arctic to helping disadvantaged youth, it's all here in this best of the best of 2018's transformational gifts.

  • Why Haim and Cheryl Saban’s $50 Million Donation to Academy Museum Almost Didn’t Happen (Variety) This is a story with a number of important teachable fundraising moments. "Haim and Cheryl Saban’s $50 million donation has landed them their name on the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures building on Miracle Mile in Los Angeles, but the billionaire philanthropists’ contribution to the project almost didn’t happen." 12/5/18

  • Former Uber engineer donates $5M to Calgary Public Library Foundation (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY "Before becoming lead engineer for the world’s most recognizable rideshare company, Conrad Whelan was just a kid growing up in Calgary who loved visiting the library. After making his fortune at Uber, he left the company in 2016 and has been looking to begin his 'philanthropy journey,' deciding the best place to start is his old hometown by donating $5 million to the Calgary Public Library Foundation." 12/7/18

  • Patagonia’s CEO is donating company’s entire $10M Trump tax cut to fight climate change. (Upworthy) "Patagonia is having a very good year. And under our new corporate tax code passed by a Republican Congress and enthusiastically signed into law by President Trump, they’re paying a lot less in federal taxes. $10 million less, to be exact. In letter posted to LinkedIn, Patagonia’s CEO announced her company is donating all $10 million to non-profit groups who work on issues related to climate change and the environment." 11/28/18

  • Pennsylvania Receiving $10 Million Donation From Michael Bloomberg To Fight Opioid Epidemic (CBS) This guy deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "Pennsylvania will be the first state to receive a big donation to help fight the opioid epidemic. Calling it a national crisis, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has made a huge investment in fighting the drug crisis, and Pennsylvania is getting the biggest chunk of the money. Bloomberg is donating $50 million to 10 states to fight the drug epidemic, with Pennsylvania getting $10 million." 11/30/18

  • Toms Launches Campaign to End Gun Violence With $5 Million Donation (Fortune) Yet another reason to buy a pair of Toms. As if you needed one. "Toms, the shoe company that donates a pair for every pair purchased, just added another cause to its bottom line: ending gun violence. Blake Mycoskie, the company’s founder, announced a $5 million donation campaign to end gun violence while a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Monday night. Fighting back tears, Mycoskie explained how he was personally affected by the recent shootings in Thousand Oaks, Calif., which prompted him to take action." 11/20/18

  • Latest Kipnes donation of $10 million focused on urology patients, research (Edmonton Journal) EDMONTON STORY Another transformational gift by an amazing family. Thank you! ”A $10-million donation by Dianne and Irving Kipnes is set to advance research and patient care at the Northern Alberta Urology Centre, renamed in honour of the Edmonton philanthropists.” 10/31/18

  • Anonymous donation to B.C. Cancer one of the largest gifts in Canada from an individual (Vancouver Sun) BRITISH COLUMBIA STORY ”A donor who’s given the B.C. Cancer Foundation $18.35 million insists on remaining anonymous.” 10/24/18

  • Vancouver library receives historic $5-million donation to expand children's spaces (CBC) VANCOUVER STORY What a tremendous gift from an amazing family. ”Vancouver's Public Library Foundation has received a donation of $5 million to expand its children's programs, the largest private donation ever to a public library in Canada. The Dilawri Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Canada's largest automotive group, has committed funding aimed at reimagining over 3,000 square feet of the Children's Library at the Vancouver Central Branch.” 10/29/18

  • Swiss philanthropist donates $1-billion to conservation efforts, including an Indigenous Protected Area in the Northwest Territories (Globe and Mail) CANADIAN CONTENT Now this. This. Is. Amazing. ”A Swiss businessman and philanthropist will donate a billion dollars over the next decade to protect more of the Earth’s lands and waters from development, and one of the first projects he will help fund is an Indigenous Protected Area in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Hansjorg Wyss, 83, announced during a teleconference from Washington [...] the launch of the Wyss Campaign for Nature. Its objective is to convince world leaders, who will meet in 2020 to set biodiversity preservation targets, to agree to conserve 30 per cent of the world in its natural state by 2030. That would double the amount of planetary surface that is currently protected.” 10/31/18

  • Telus donating $120 million to launch foundation to help vulnerable youth (National Post) CANADIAN STORY Holy moly. This is huge. Thanks Telus. "Telus Corp. will announce [...] a $120-million donation to launch a foundation that helps vulnerable Canadian youth. Canada’s third-largest telecommunications company says the inaugural donation is the largest made by a publicly traded Canadian company in history. The funds come from Telus’ sale of its downtown Vancouver headquarters, for which it planned to record a $170-million gain in the third quarter." Thanks to Scott Decksheimer for sharing this story. 10/19/18

  • 'Underdog disorder': Kipnes chair to boost lymphatic research at U of A (Edmonton Journal) EDMONTON STORY A truly fantastic gift by two outstanding Edmontonians. Thanks! "A $7-million donation is poised to make the University of Alberta a leader in lymphatic disorder research. The money — to establish the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Chair in Lymphatic Disorders, the first of its kind in Canada — will help drive research to support the care of patients suffering under-reported, under-recognized, and under-diagnosed medical problems in the lymphatic system such as lymphedema [...]. The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation has committed $5 million to the effort while the University Hospital Foundation (UHF) and its donors matched a gift of $1 million made by the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation through the University Hospital Foundation." 10/10/18

  • PHILANTHROPY’S PIVOTAL $4 BILLION COMMITMENT TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE (Energy Foundation) "A group of 29 philanthropists recently pledged $4 billion over the next five years to combat climate change—the largest-ever philanthropic investment focused on climate change mitigation. They made the announcement on the closing day of the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) in San Francisco [...]. " 10/3/18

  • U of Calgary vet school receives record donation (Western Producer) ALBERTA STORY Re-reading the story of this gift actually made me short of breath. Honestly, gifts like this are exceedingly rare. It has depth. It has breadth. It will be felt for uncounted generations. This story has been all over the major outlets this week. I chose to highlight the one from the Western Producer. It's the one most ranchers including my favourite ranchers (like my father-in-law, Scott Fraser) most often read. Thank you to the Anderson family. Wow! "The donation of a 19,000-acre ranch to the University of Calgary faculty of veterinary medicine is the largest gift of its kind to any Canadian university. W.A. Ranches near Cochrane, Alta. is worth an estimated $44 million and was donated by Calgary entrepreneurs Jack Anderson and his daughter Wynne Chisholm." 9/24/18

  • Concordia engineering school becomes first in Canada named after a woman as alumna donates $15-million (Globe and Mail) This is huge! This is so inspiring. I am so pleased they kept her first name in the school naming. Imagine the generations of women who will study here. Thanks to Ron Bailey, our 'early reader' for sharing this fantastic story. "Gina Cody arrived in Montreal with $2,000 in her pocket and little more than a dream to become an engineer. It was 1979. Her homeland of Iran was in the throes of a revolution, and she escaped on the last flight out. 'Overwhelmed' and 'lonely,' she got a toehold in her new country thanks to a scholarship in engineering at Concordia University in Montreal. Forty years later, a successful career behind her, Dr. Cody is giving back. The 61-year-old is donating $15-million to her alma mater, a gift that will be used to increase diversity in a traditionally male-dominated field. The Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science becomes the first engineering faculty in Canada – and one of the first internationally – to be named after a woman." 9/24/18

  • Bezos family launches $2 billion philanthropy fund (Engadget) We have been waiting, perched in breathless anticipation. And Mr. and Mrs. Bezos did not disappoint. "Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder who happens to be the richest person on the planet, has launched a philanthropic effort with an initial commitment of $2 billion. He and his wife MacKenzie will use the Day One Fund to build a 'network of new, non-profit, tier-one preschools in low-income communities' and fund 'existing non-profits that help homeless families.'" 9/13/18

  • Class act: $7-million gift boosts Royal Roads University (Times Colonist) VANCOUVER ISLAND STORY Nice gift! "Royal Roads University students will have the use of three new laboratories and 11 classrooms following [the] opening of the Sherman Jen building, paid for in part by a $7-million donation. The $24.8-million project received $9.3 million from the federal government, $5.7 million from the province and $7 million from philanthropist Sherman Jen, with the balance supplied by Royal Roads University." 9/7/18

  • MacKenzie Art Gallery receives $25 million, largest donation in history (The Whig) REGINA STORY Wow. What an incredible investment in culture. "The MacKenzie Art Gallery (MAG) has received a $25-million dollar anonymous donation — the largest of its kind in the history of the gallery.” 8/30/18

  • U of L gallery gets massive $5M art collection from iconic estate (CBC) LETHBRIDGE STORY Dr. Marmie Hess touched the lives of countless individuals and organizations throughout her life. Those of us who's lives intersected with hers, know what a blessing she was. This gift is so Marmie. And it makes me so very happy. "Officials are calling it the largest ever donation in the University of Lethbridge's half-century history. The University of Lethbridge Art Gallery just unpacked more than 1,000 pieces of art from the estate of Dr. Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess, worth between $4 million and $5 million." 6/13/18

  • U of M Renames College of Dentistry After Historic $7.5M Donation (ChrisD.ca) WINNIPEG STORY "The College of Dentistry at the University of Manitoba has received a $7.5 million from an alumnus. Dr. Gerry and Mrs. Reesa Niznick presented the historic donation on [...] through the Front and Centre campaign." 5/29/18

  • Anonymous donor gifts millions to build Planned Parenthood clinics in Texas (The Hill) *"An anonymous donor has promised to grant $9 million for the construction of two new Planned Parenthood health centers in Texas." 3/29/18

  • Winnipeg philanthropist donates more than $10M to help disadvantaged students (CBC) WINNIPEG STORY *What a magnificent gift! We do not typically see large gifts going to K-12 in Canada. Terrific. Thank you Mr. Schroeder. "One of Winnipeg's poorest schools is getting a break thanks to a multimillion-dollar private donation. Philanthropist Walter Schroeder is donating more than $10 million to help underprivileged students at three high schools in Winnipeg." 3/23/18

  • Bob Dhillon 'gives back' with $10 million donation to the University of Lethbridge (Financial Post) LETHBRIDGE STORY *What a lovely gift. Nice work everybody. Thank you Mr. Dhillon. "In Calgary and Lethbridge [...] ceremonies will be held to accept a $10 million donation for the University of Lethbridge from Dhillon, founder and chief executive of Mainstreet Equity, a Calgary-based TSX-listed value-added, mid-market consolidator of apartments in Western Canada [...]. The money is earmarked for the university’s faculty of management, which will be renamed the Dhillon School of Business." 3/14/18

  • ‘It’s all we really have’: Canadian couple donates $60M fortune as Arctic prize (Global News) CANADIAN STORY *Love this. "A Canadian couple says their decision to donate $60 million — the bulk of their wealth — to a fund aimed at promoting Arctic innovation was inspired by a deep love for the Far North and the people who live there. Seven years after founding the Arctic Inspiration Prize, Arnold Witzig and Simi Sharifi are handing over what they say is their entire fortune to a trust fund that distributes millions of dollars every year to northern groups whose work improves the quality of life for their community members." 2/1/18

  • Anonymous donor gives Centre for Addiction and Mental Health record $100M (CBC) TORONTO STORY *Humungous boom! Wow. Double wow! What a truly magnificent gift to Canada's largest mental health hospital, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). And it's anonymous. And unrestricted. Terrific all around. We are proud to have worked with CAMH in support of their fundraising campaign. 1/11/18

  • Philanthropists donate $3.5M to help bring almost 700 refugees to Canada (CBC) CANADIAN STORY We live in a beautiful world. Happy National Philanthropy Day. "[Jennifer] Basu said she'd been thinking about sponsoring someone for a while, but it didn't seem like it would be possible for years. But then she learned that nearly $3.5 million had been donated by philanthropists in the U.S. and Canada to help community groups like hers cover the cost of sponsorship [...]. With [...] $3.5 million raised by eight philanthropists, including Vancouver's Aquilini Group and local residents Brian Paes-Braga and Harald and Sharlene Ludwig, groups in 49 communities across the country were able to sponsor refugees." 11/14/18

  • Johns Hopkins Just Got the Largest Donation Ever Given to a Philosophy Department (Chronicle of Higher Education) *Wow! Just wow! "A well-known investor is giving a $75-million donation to the Johns Hopkins University’s philosophy department, and the university is calling the gift the largest ever for a philosophy program." 1/16/18

In Memoriam

Last year we lost many great Canadians and philanthropists. In Calgary, among many, we said our goodbyes to Clay Riddell, Sam Switzer, Frank King, Sherrold Moore, Peter Boyd, and Jim Shaw. In Edmonton, we said farewell to Clare Drake, Dave Semenko, and Tommy Banks. In Toronto, we bid adieu to Peter Munk and nationally, we lost Dr. Richard Taylor. To all those who we lost in 2018, rest in peace. We will not see your like again.

  • Canadian business titan and Calgary Flames co-owner Clay Riddell dies (CBC) CALGARY STORY A philanthropist and a businessman. RIP Mr. Riddell. "Clay Riddell, the billionaire oil baron and co-owner of the Calgary Flames, has died at age 81. Riddell founded multiple oil and gas companies during his career, including Paramount Resources in 1974." 9/16/18

  • Local business legend and philanthropist Sam Switzer dies (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY Sam, you were amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. RIP Mr. Switzer. "Calgary hospitality and philanthropic giant Sam Switzer has died. Switzer, who suffered from lung and kidney ailments, was surrounded by loved ones when he died [...] at the Rockyview Hospital at the age of 92. 'He was bigger than life, he was Mr. Hospitality and in his later years was very philanthropic,' said his daughter, Darlene Switzer-Foster. Switzer lived a life of adventures, pratfalls and triumphs, what he would call 'learning experiences,' said close friend and author Sydney Sharpe [...]." 6/20/18

  • Clare Drake, legendary and beloved U of A hockey coach, dies at age 89 (CBC) EDMONTON STORY RIP Mr. Drake. "Clare Drake, the legendary University of Alberta coach known as the winningest college hockey coach ever, died [...] in his sleep, friends have confirmed." 5/13/18

  • Frank King, who brought Olympics to Calgary, dies at 81 (CBC) CALGARY STORY RIP Mr. King. "Frank King, one of the architects of the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988, has died at the age of 81. King was the chief executive officer of Calgary's organizing committee and, along with Bob Niven, brought a games to Calgary that changed the face of the city and made Canada a powerhouse in winter sport." 5/10/18

  • Leading Calgary Booster Sherrold Moore Dies In Hospital (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY RIP Mr. Moore. You and your entire family have given so much to Calgary. Our thoughts are with your friends and family. "Sherrold Moore, one of Calgary’s most respected philanthropists and city supporters, has died in hospital aged 88. The longtime Calgarian, who first arrived in the city at age 10 when his parents moved here from Winnipeg, spent his entire working career with the oil company Amoco Canada before retiring as senior vice-president in 1994." 4/11/18

  • Barrick Gold founder Peter Munk dead at 90 (CBC) CANADIAN STORY *A leader in Canadian philanthropy. We will not see his like again. RIP Mr. Munk. "Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Peter Munk, who founded Barrick Gold and built it into the world's biggest gold-mining company, has died at the age of 90." 3/28/18

  • Arts patron Peter Boyd left large legacy in Calgary's fine arts community (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY *RIP Mr. Boyd. "The tag line on Peter Boyd’s email, the place where people often put a funny quip or inspirational message, read “stay hungry, stay foolish.” This was life advice from a seasoned entrepreneur, businessman, art collector, arts patron, vintner and board member." 3/5/18

  • Nobel Laureate Richard Taylor dies at 88 (Chat News Today) ALBERTA STORY *We were always immensely proud of Richard at the University of Alberta. RIP Dr. Taylor. We will not see your like again. "A Nobel-prize winning physicist with ties to Medicine Hat has passed away. Richard Edward Taylor, who shared the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1990, passed away [...] in Stanford California at the age of 88." 2/24/18

  • Dave Semenko's legacy to support next generation of players (CBC) EDMONTON STORY *"In life, Dave Semenko was a force to be reckoned with on the ice. In death, he's now a driving force in giving the next generation the chance to lace up [...]. In partnership with the NHL and its Players' Association Goals & Dreams fund, an initial investment of $325,000 to the Dave Semenko Legacy Project will fund two Sport Central initiatives over the next 10 years." 2/11/18

  • Legendary Edmonton jazz pianist, ex-senator Tommy Banks dead at 81 (CBC) EDMONTON STORY *A musical force. A wonderful man. A great Canadian. RIP Mr. Banks. We will not see your like again. The world of Jazz is diminished. 1/26/18

  • Jim Shaw, former CEO of Shaw Communications, dies at 60 after brief illness (CBC) CALGARY STORY *RIP Mr. Shaw. "Jim Shaw joined the company his father founded, Shaw Communications, as a cable installer and eventually became CEO, helping grow the company's revenue from $646 million $3.7 billion during his tenure. The former CEO and vice-chairman of Shaw Communications died [...] at age 60 after a brief illness, the Calgary-based telecommunications giant said in a statement. He's survived by his wife, Kathryn, three children and three step-children." 1/3/18

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