Donor Spotlight

GUELPH FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS — SMALL BUSINESS WITH A BIG HEART Guelph Family Martial Arts (GFMA) is looking to expand. The dojo is seriously crowded with certificates, awards, and trophies—big trophies—some as tall as Sophie Skoufis, who works with her son, Nathan, in the thriving business. GFMA offers Guelphites a wide range of training in…

This story began in 1925. Helen Keller, a famous American and the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree, spoke to the international Lions Club convention, inspiring its members to become “Knights of the Blind.” Since that time, Lions Clubs across the world have focused their service on prevention of blindness, sight conservation, and…

As a patient, June Cauthers has experienced first-hand the difference community support has made at Guelph General Hospital. “I’ve spent time in the hospital over the years and I’ve seen wonderful changes in the types of equipment being used to care for patients – from improvements to blood pressure machines to how records are being…

Kevin Malinski of Platters Catering & Events is a shining example of Guelph’s generous business community. When you think of supporting the Hospital, financial gifts might first come to mind. They are certainly important, but our donors help us save lives and improve health in many different ways. Our generous business community supports our work…

The Wood Family have been supporters of Guelph General Hospital for more than 30 years, almost as long as the Foundation has been in existence. In fact, their first gift in 1987 was only the seventh gift we ever received. At the end of November, we announced that John and Barbara Wood had made an…

What you give, you get back. It’s a common experience among The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital’s community of supporters. Julianne’s husband was already quite ill when they moved to Guelph and her life was entirely devoted to caring for him. “I was his full-time caregiver,” says Julianne. “We moved to Guelph specifically to be…

In 1958, Ross McKinnell competed in the Commonwealth games, and today his love of cycling gives him a way to give back to Guelph General Hospital and his community as a Tour de Guelph cyclist and fundraiser. It was a fascination for bikes that eventually led Ross McKinnell to the Commonwealth Games. Now 60-years later,…

When Doug and Cathy MacMillan bought their company, they knew they wanted to build their business on building community. They didn’t have a concrete plan, but their intent and their ability to identify opportunities led them down a twenty-plus-year path that now has their business deeply invested in community – and thriving as a result.…

Ernie and Elysia’s support of the Hospital dates all the way back to 2004, shortly following a family member’s surgery at Guelph General. “We really appreciated the care of the surgeons” said Ernie, “especially that of Dr. Kenneth Reed”. It was this care that inspired their first gift. Visiting the Hospital under these circumstances brought…

You can make a difference in your community. We met with Wayne and Maria Bricknell to discuss their motivations for supporting the Hospital. They support the Hospital through our Circle of Life collective philanthropy program and through sponsorship of Tour de Guelph by way of the Pitman Pit-Stop. Philanthropy runs deep in their family. Wayne’s…

Leading Stone Road Mall’s Children’s Charity Golf Tournament into its 5th year. Christina’s connection to Guelph General Hospital began when her youngest of two children. She spent quite a bit of time at Guelph General Hospital with her son when he was young due to various health issues. It was this experience that ignited Christina’s…

Sarmazian Brothers Flooring: An extra special anniversary celebration! Leading up to the Sarmazian Brothers 10th Year Anniversary One Day Sale, the management team decided that they wanted to do something extra special as part of the celebration sale. Due to “strong roots in the community”, Sarmazian Bros. Flooring wanted to “find a way to give…

Seventeen-year-old Kurtis Lammer Raises $40,865 for the Hospital Kurtis demonstrated a great deal of tenacity while imagining and then creating UNIT 6 Haunted House. Unit 6 Haunted House was in the making for over two years. Kurtis was originally planning to have it ready in time for the 2015 Halloween season, but ran out of…

Giving “a little back” for 25 years Dr. Harold Jackson, along with his wife and three young children, moved to Guelph in 1980 when he was appointed Director of Scientific Affairs for Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company (later to be called McNeil Consumer Healthcare). He retired in 2004 as Vice-President of New Business and…

Terry Manning: Planning for a Healthier Tomorrow When he was 69, Foundation board member Terry Manning decided to do something a little different for someone entering into his seventh decade. He decided to hop on his bike and ride 6,000 kms across North America to raise money for Guelph General Hospital’s Emergency Department! After a…