Enabling all of us, individual and corporate citizens, to give back to our community by building permanent legacies…
The Barrie Community Foundation is a public foundation that builds and manages endowment funds to support charitable activities in Barrie and area.
Endowment funds are “forever” funds, meaning that the original capital contributed as well as subsequent donations to the fund are never encroached upon or spent but continue to grow over time. A portion of the investment income generated from the funds are granted out on an annual basis to support the causes the funds were set up to support.
A donation, large or small, will make a difference, now and forever.
6th Annual Spirit Catch Awards Gala
On Wednesday, November 14th, 2018 the Barrie Community Foundation hosted another wonderful evening to celebrate the City of Barrie’s highest award of merit; The Order of the Spirit Catcher. The volunteers (both adult and youth) receive the awards for outstanding service to the community. Last year, the Barrie Community Foundation honoured Zach Hofer & Erica Curtis.
This year, the event was hosted at the Southshore Community Centre in Barrie. The evening featured beautiful decor by Nineteen Melrose Flower Studio, an amazing meal by Wildwood Hospitality and wonderful musical stylings by local artist, David Whyne.
William Dwyer was called to the Order of the Spirit Catcher as the 2018 recipient. Born in 1925, William is a World War II Veteran, having served 25 years in the Military, followed by 10 years as a Public Service Employee. William retired at age 60, giving him more time to focus on his volunteerism. He has spent 10 years as a volunteer at RVH, more than 24 years with the Parkinson Society and 9 years with the Legion Poppy Fund. Most notably, William has spent 38 years volunteering with the Terry Fox Run Barrie, raising an astonishing total of $860,000.00 for cancer research. His personal mission is to raise $1,000,000.00.
Jake Vaz was the 2018 Youth Spirit Catcher Award recipient. Jake lived in Barrie for most of his life, moving to Kingston in the fall of 2018 to attend Queen’s University. Jake was introduced to the game of chess at only 6 years old, after being taught by his grandfather. Jake approached the Barrie Public Library about running a chess program for children in the Barrie area when he was only 14 years old. He has spent countless Sunday afternoons volunteering his time teaching the fundamentals of the game, as well as creating a welcoming and fun environment for children to play and socialize. Jake has been a mentor and role model and his contributions will have a lasting effect on all of the kids who have been influenced by him. In addition to this, Jake has also volunteered with the Salvation Army & the RVH.
The Barrie Community Foundation was also honoured to present a grant of $2,500.00 to the Childs Advocacy Centre Simcoe/Muskoka that evening. All nine members of the Board of Directors for the Barrie Community Foundation attended the event, as well as many of Barrie’s noteworthy politicians, philanthropists and citizens.
BCF would like to extend a huge thank you to all of their partners and corporate sponsors of the evening, including but not limited to: Meridian Credit Union, 107.5 Kool FM, Rock 95, Georgian Chevrolet, CIBC Wood Gundy, Barrie Colts, The City of Barrie, and many more.
