The Weber Foundation presented major gifts to thirteen local charities, totalling $22.5-million. The invite-only presentation took place at the Midland Cultural Centre (MCC), an arts and culture organization in Midland, significantly funded by The Weber Foundation.
The Weber Foundation was established in 1997 by Reinhart and Alexandra Weber. Over the past 27 years, the Foundation had donated more than $28-million to local charities. Together with today’s gifts, The Weber Foundation has now donated more than $50-million.
Reinhart Weber, Chair and benefactor of The Weber Foundation, commented: “We established the Foundation to support and enhance the work of local community charities that provide such outstanding facilities and programming for the people of North Simcoe.”
At the presentation on July 2, the recipient charities (listed alphabetically) received the following funding:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe – $250,000
CLH Foundation – $2,000,000
Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre – $500,000
Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation – $3,333,333
Huronia Transition Homes – $500,000
Midland Cultural Centre – $2,000,000
Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital (OSMH) Foundation – $3,333,333
Royal Victoria Regional Health Care (RVH) Foundation – $3,333,333
Salvation Army Midland – $500,000
Shelter Now – $4,000,000
Wy Marsh Wildlife Centre (Friends of Wye Marsh) – $500,000
Warm & Cozy Children’s Charity – $250,000
YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – $2,000,000
“This may represent the largest single day single donor philanthropic gifting in Central Ontario history,” shared Fred Hacker, Trustee for The Weber Foundation. “It is such an honour to witness the outstanding impact that these gifts will have on our communities.”
Several charity representatives participated in the presentation, sharing the impact of The Weber Foundation’s previous donations and of the new funding.
Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, said, “Today’s generous gift from the Weber Foundation will continue to ignite the potential in the lives of youth in Midland and at YMCA Camp Kitchikewana, providing transformative leadership experiences for years to come.”
Gordon Hagen, Chair of the Midland Cultural Centre, stated: “”This donation from The Weber Foundation crucially sustains our operations, assisting the Midland Cultural Centre to remain a cornerstone of art, culture, and community in North Simcoe.”
Local health care has always been a top priority for The Weber Foundation, and this latest gift is no exception with $10-million allocated to area hospitals. “The Weber Foundation has had a profound impact on health care across our region over the past twenty years,” said Matthew Lawson, President & CEO of Georgian Bay General Hospital. He added: “This gift of $10-million, shared between GBGH, OSMH and RVH, will continue to transform the lives of patients at our hospitals for years to come, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to be included in the legacy of The Weber Foundation.”
Speaking on behalf of Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation, Perry Esler, President and CEO, commented: “For nearly a decade, The Weber Foundation has supported the advancement of healthcare at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. We are filled with gratitude and truly honoured to receive this investment into our future for our healthcare providers, patients, and their families,”
Pamela Ross, CEO RVH Foundation said: “We are so grateful to The Weber Foundation for their extraordinary generosity in support of world-class, compassionate care, close to home. At RVH, this gift will help enhance and expand our regional care programs in cancer, stroke, cardiac, critical care, and youth and child mental health.
Sonia Ladouceur, Executive Director of Shelter Now, stated: “Shelter Now is excited to receive this donation. We will be seeking property and partners for another development of supportive housing.”
Sarah Kitchen, CLH Foundation Board President, commented: “We’re so grateful to The Weber Foundation for this transformational gift for a supportive housing project to support individuals who are the most vulnerable to life’s greatest challenges”