Rotary bursary program receives anonymous $40,000 pledge for fund

Allyson Snelling
via – Cottage Country Now

CHARITY BALL. The Mayor’s Charity Ball was held at the new Terry Fox Auditorium at Gravenhurst Centennial Centre on Saturday, Oct. 22. From left are Richard and Christine Hall, deputy mayor Jeff Watson and wife Patti, Christine Miller and husband Norm. Photo by Bev McMullen

Amid the glitz and glamour of Mayor Paisley Donaldson’s Oct. 22 Charity Ball, a significant pledge was made to the Gravenhurst Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund.

At the ball, endowment fund chair and Rotarian Ken Little announced the fund had received an anonymous $40,000 pledge.

The pledge will be added to the more than $140,000 earmarked for the endowment fund, which disperses its interest to deserving students from lower income families in the form of post-secondary school bursaries.

“It capped a great evening to have a donation from an individual in Gravenhurst that supports the needs of children with a better university or college education,” said Little. “It’s the true spirit of giving when you give without any recognition for a sizable gift.”

Little said over the past year the Gravenhurst Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund has gained momentum. The Mayor’s Charity Ball helped to raise the profile of the fund even more among the 120 to 125 people who attended.

“More and more people know about it and know it’s a serious endowment fund that will support a lot of children in Gravenhurst forever,” said Little. “Someone could leave the event and say ‘it’s something that needs to be supported.’ You never know what will come (from) that later.”

During the event, Little spoke to the need of changing perceptions in the community.

“Many teenagers don’t expect to go off to post-secondary because they don’t have the money. If there’s opportunity and hope, maybe those expectations and perceptions will change,” said Little. “If we can provide hope, offer opportunity and change expectations of our residents in need, we will change the social fabric of our community.”

This summer, the endowment fund helped four students pursue higher education at Trent University, Nipissing University, Georgian College and the University of Waterloo with bursaries totalling $5,500.

The Mayor’s Charity Ball was held at the new Terry Fox Auditorium at Gravenhurst Centennial Centre. It featured music and dancing, mingling and gourmet food.