UHKF holds small ceremony to award local philanthropists and volunteers
A small, private ceremony was held by University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 to celebrate a few of Kingston’s outstanding philanthropists and volunteers.
Community nominations are accepted for the Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership and the Ian Wilson Award for Volunteerism every year. The award recipients are chosen by the UHKF Board of Directors.
The Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership
First presented in 2005 by Kingston philanthropists, Michael and Elaine Davies, The Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership is granted through the Kingston General Hospital Foundation in honour of its 25th anniversary. Recipients of the Davies Award are individuals, organizations and community groups who have demonstrated outstanding philanthropic leadership benefiting Kingston’s healthcare facilities and ultimately, the care of our families, friends and neighbours in southeastern Ontario.
“I am delighted to present the Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership on behalf of my family once again this year, to not one but three recipients,” says Caroline Davies. “This year’s recipients are Shoppers Drug Mart, Limestone City Car Club and John (Jack) Keyes. Congratulations!”
This year’s recipients:
Shoppers Drug Mart
Local Shoppers Drug Mart owners and associates have raised over $350,000 for Women’s Health Programs through the annual LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart™ campaign.
According to a media release from UHKF, Adam Doyle, the local chair of the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart™ program and the other local store owners encourage their associates to promote the program and create an environment in the stores that inspire staff to participate wholeheartedly.
The efforts of the LOVE YOU program help improve the care experience for women at the Kingston Health Sciences Center (KHSC.)
Limestone City Car Club
Brian Beatty and David Dick organized the first Limestone City Car Classic in September 2013 in memory of Brian’s daughter Melonie, who passed away from melanoma at 35 years of age. The team of volunteers works tirelessly throughout the year to organize a first-class event that represents our city and improves health care locally.
In 2019, this small-but-mighty committee raised $14,000, bringing their seven-year total to almost $65,000 for the Melanoma Clinic at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. The event now attracts 400 vehicles and more than 2,000 visitors. According to the media release, it is their passion and commitment to raise awareness about melanoma that continues to “drive” this group forward.
John (Jack) Keyes
Jack has been a long-time, loyal member of the UHKF and KGH Foundation family. He gives often and generously, which allows KHSC to invest in programs and purchase vital equipment.
Jack is also an Evergreen member, having included UHKF in his will, so that his legacy of giving will live on. Additionally, he has funded a permanent endowment to honour his late daughter, Kathy. The annual income from this fund is used to pay for the little things that enhance the care experience for patients with mental illness, which are not covered by government funding.
In 2019, Jack provided a matching gift for two direct mail campaigns to inspire others to give. He is passionate about supporting health care and is willing to celebrate his gifts in a way that inspires others to give.
The Ian Wilson Award for Volunteerism in Fundraising
This award was established in 2011 at the close of the “Together We Can” campaign to honour individuals who, like Ian Wilson, set themselves apart by their incredible commitment, their undying enthusiasm, and the sheer number of hours they devote to their volunteer roles on behalf of UHKF and the hospitals.
“Recipients are volunteers who demonstrate outstanding efforts in the solicitation of donations benefiting our healthcare facilities through an event, organized campaign or informal activity,” says Ian Wilson. “It is an honour to present Michael Robinson with this year’s Ian Wilson Award.”
This year’s recipient:
Michael Robinson
“Michael Robinson is a caring, dedicated volunteer who has been actively involved in helping to shape the future of our health care through his various leadership roles with the Kingston General Hospital Foundation and UHKF Boards of Directors and the UHKF Campaign team for more than 15 years,” UHKF said in the release.
Michael is a loyal supporter of the hospitals and is a monthly donor who has been giving each year for 28 years. As the Primary Executive of the Dr. Samuel S. Robinson Foundation, Michael has been influential in securing gifts in support of KHSC and Providence Care totaling over $1.1 million.
Michael is a kind, caring individual who is passionate about our hospitals and making a difference to the health care of our region. He is always willing to go the extra mile to help the efforts to raise funds for area hospitals.
A new award, the Sister Dorothy Fournier Award for Volunteerism, was created this year
“It is truly inspiring to have such dedicated and generous leaders in our community,” says Lori Faggiani, Director of Annual Programs at UHKF. “I am so happy to announce that UHKF has created a new award this year called the Sister Dorothy Fournier Award for Volunteerism. This award is to honour our long-time, much-loved and appreciated volunteer, Sr. Dorothy Fournier, or as we like to call her, ‘Sr. D’.”
Each year, the Sister Dorothy Fournier Award for Volunteerism will be granted by UHKF to an individual, organization or community group who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer commitment by dedicating their time to UHKF in support of work efforts, event preparation and mission moments, all to benefit health care in Kingston.