Local business and community leaders Linda Hasenfratz and Ed Newton receive Inspirational Philanthropist Award

Last night, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital presented their highest honour to Linda Hasenfratz and Ed Newton, naming them the 2025 recipients of their Inspirational Philanthropist Award.

The award celebrates an individual, family or organization who has demonstrated an abiding commitment to Guelph General Hospital as well as the wider community through their exceptional contributions through business, volunteerism and/or philanthropy.

“Linda and Ed have done so much to advance our hospital and our entire community through their volunteer commitments, personal and corporate donations as well as in roles as local, national and global business leaders. Their impact has been extraordinary and deserves to be celebrated,” remarked Julie Byczynski, CEO of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital.

The award was presented to Linda and Ed at the Foundation’s annual Circle of Life Celebration held at Linamar House on December 3, 2024. In addition to members of The Foundation’s board of directors and senior leadership from Guelph General Hospital, nearly 100 Circle of Life Inner Circle supporters were in attendance.

Khalil Khamis, Chair of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital remarked, “Linda and Ed founded our Foundation’s Circle of Life donor program. Now in its second decade, this important giving collective provides a vital, ongoing source of revenue to fuel our hospital’s most pressing needs. Over the years, they’ve inspired so many people to start or increase their giving to the hospital, helping to raise more than $3 million.”

A significant list of contributions to Guelph General were described during the presentation, including Linda’s leadership and volunteerism as Co-chair of the Together, We Care campaign which raised over $37.5 million and has since transformed the hospital’s special care nursery and installed a new MRI machine. The planned Emergency Department expansion including mental health and addiction services will also be supported by this campaign funding.

Through their respective business endeavours, Linda and Ed have also contributed greatly to the region’s economy, leading by example when it comes to giving back to community and charitable causes.

Importantly, the award also honours philanthropy to other organizations in recognition of the fact that Guelph General Hospital benefits tremendously when the whole Guelph community thrives.

“Their support of St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation, United Way, Grove Youth Hub, Guelph Wish Fund, River Run Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the University of Guelph, and others have left an indelible imprint on the social fabric of Guelph-Wellington making it a better place for all to live, work or study in the community,” noted Byczynski.

In response to receiving the award, Linda Hasenfratz shared, “Ed and I are deeply honoured to be receiving this recognition. We have long believed that a community works, lives, succeeds and thrives together; there is nothing more important than us all collectively doing what we can to make our communities a better place to live. Supporting the GGH was an easy decision for us as high quality health care is something every person needs and can only be achieved with a combination of public and private support.”

The Inspirational Philanthropist Award was established by The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital in 2022. Past recipients include Barb and the late John Wood (2023) and Bob Ireland (2024). Further details about the award and past recipients can be found online at gghfoundation.ca/inspirational-philanthropist-award. The award itself is made locally and was custom designed by the Blown Away Glass Studio in Elora, symbolizing a heart and the love that recipients have for supporting their community.