News Archives

Latest News Articles

July 17, 2009 from Lac du Bonnet Leader

Options on the table for foundation

By Marc Zienkiewicz

Investing its capital with the Winnipeg Foundation is just one of several options the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation is examining as it passes the $60,000 mark. Foundation president Cliff Zarecki said investing its capital with the Winnipeg Foundation, which nearly 30 charitable foundations in the province already do, would have a number of benefits.

“If we did so, the Winnipeg Foundation would give us an endowment of $7,500 immediately,” Zarecki said. Furthermore, the Winnipeg Foundation would ensure no less than 3.5 per cent of the foundation’s money is distributed in the community each year.

In return, the Winnipeg Foundation would charge half a per cent for its services, but return a quarter of a per cent to the Lac du Bonnet foundation’s endowment fund.

“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of negatives to do so, but we haven’t made a decision yet,” Zarecki said. Another option is for the foundation to invest its capital in a GIC with Sunova Credit Union.

Other projects in works

Two other major projects are in the works by the foundation’s board. The board is planning a wine and cheese fundraiser that would take place sometime later this year, and is also attempting to form a granting committee composed of a number of community organizations, which would decide how the foundation’s money is to be distributed.

By law, the foundation must disburse 3.5 per cent of its money to the community each year.

Lac du Bonnet’s Bill McKelvey has also joined the board of directors, Zarecki said.

Charitable foundations are designed to facilitate community philanthropy by pooling donations and using only the interest generated to fund worthwhile projects in the community.

(back to top)

June 28, 2009

Foundation Participates in the Canada Day Parade in Lac du Bonnet

The Lac du Bonnet & District Charitable Foundation participated in their first Canada Day Parade Celebration! Even the blustery weather didn’t hinder the spirit of the community. People lined up along the streets to enjoy the entertaining floats while the children buzzed with anticipation with the traditional candy throw

Carly Zarecki and Kristen McLean proudly carried the LDB Foundation banner while Melissa Cameron distributed the candy to the little ones. A special thanks to Gus Wruck for providing his antique Mercedes Benz for the float! It was a great success!

(back to top)

June 19, 2009 from Lac du Bonnet Leader

RBC donates to Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation

By Marc Zienkiewicz

Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation president Cliff Zarecki is presented with a $1,500 donation from Lindsay Ross of RBC Dominion Securities last week. The donation, as well as two others given by area residents, brings the foundation near the $60,000 mark.

(back to top)

May 8, 2009 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

Lions give $10,000 to foundation

By Marc Zienkiewicz

Lac du Bonnet’s Lions Club is the latest community group to give a significant donation to the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation. The club gave a cheque for $10,000 to the foundation this week, bringing the foundation’s capital up to around $50,000.
“This is terrific. Once again we’re so grateful,” foundation president and Lions Club member Cliff Zarecki said.
Lions Club president Nick Bessem said the club has talked for awhile about donating to the foundation, and the time seemed right to make a contribution. Zarecki recently said the foundation should be able to hit the $100,000 mark by the end of summer.
“We’re happy to be able to help out,” Bessem said.
The foundation recently benefited from large donations courtesy of the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association (which gave $25,000), Coreen Pusiewich of Royal Bank ($1,000) and a fundraising effort taken on by high school student Carly Zarecki in conjunction with the Ashley Kovari fund.
The foundation’s purpose is to pool donations and use only the interest generated to fund worthwhile community projects.

(back to top)

March 27, 2009 Lac du Bonnet Leader Letter

Fundraiser successful

By Carly Zarecki

Re: First cut is the longest, March 20

I want to show my appreciation to everyone who supported me with pledges for my hair cutting campaign. This was my first fundraiser and it was a great experience.
Adele Vallencourt generously donated her time to cut our hair as did Amanda Gooding who raised over $400 and also cut her hair for cancer.
Amanda had 12 inches cut and even though I had 15 inches cut, I still have enough left to cut it again in a couple of years. Mrs. Doris Lussier and Kylie also donated their hair and one of our teachers Mrs Reynolds. All hair donations will be made into wigs for cancer patients.
The money we raised will be combined with the Ashley Kovari fund which will be set up as a sub fund under the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation.
Even though my fundraiser has ended, I hope everyone continues to contribute to the LDB Foundation in some way or another. The Foundation is a really great thing for our community because the more money raised for the LDB Foundation, the more interest is generated, and this is what goes back into supporting the people of our community.
Anyone who wants to learn more about it can go to the website at www.lacdubonnetfoundation.ca
Carly Zarecki

(back to top)

March 20, 2009 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

Golden locks snipped to make wigs, raise cash for foundation

By Marc Zienkiewicz

Carly Zarecki just had the first haircut of her life — and she’s in Grade 9.   The Lac du Bonnet Senior School student had 12 inches of her golden locks snipped March 18. The hair will be used to make hairpieces for cancer patients. The young girl also raised more than $2,000 in pledges, which will go to the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation. The was admittedly a little nervous prior to the cutting, which was done by stylist Adele Vaillancourt, who donated her time and will cover costs to ship the hair to Anola to be made into wigs.
Zarecki began her quest just prior to Christmas. She’s been growing her hair for many years in honour of family friend Ashley Kovari, who died of a rare form of cancer eight years ago. She decided that once her hair reached 36 inches, she’d have 12 inches cut off to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society.
The recently-formed Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation was also uppermost in her mind. “I thought of Ashley and wanted to do what I could to help,” Zarecki said.   She was joined in her hair-cutting adventure by Lac du Bonnet’s Amanda Gooding, who also had 12 inches snipped off. Gooding hasn’t had a haircut for nine years. “It’ll grow back — I’m not worried,” Gooding said.
Senior School principal Ron Sugden said everyone at the school is proud of Zarecki for starting her initiative. Senior School teacher Becky Reynolds also had her hair cut and donated just prior to the event.   Gooding raised more than $400 herself to go the foundation.
Zarecki’s grandfather, Walter, said it was quite the shock to see her without her long hair, which hung to just above her waist. “That’s one thing I’ll always remember about her — that long hair,” he said.
So how did Zarecki herself feel about having a much shorter hairstyle?   “It feels a little weird,” she said with a laugh. Lac du Bonnet’s Doris and Kylie Lussier also recently donated their hair to the cause.

(back to top)

March 20, 2008 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation gets $26,000 boost

By Marc Zienkiewicz

The Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation got a major and much-welcome boost last week when $26,000 was donated to the fund in a single afternoon.
Coreen Pusiewich of Lac du Bonnet’s Royal Bank donated $1,000 to the foundation after she received the bank’s Regional President’s Community Leadership Award. Along with the award, Pusiewich was allowed to donate $1,000 to her charity of choice. “This is such a wonderful cause,” she said of the foundation. “I’m happy to help out.” Pusiewich’s presentation was made during the foundation’s March 13 meeting.
At the same meeting, foundation chairman Mauri Rutherford presented a check for $25,000 from the Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association, much to the surprise of those present. “What a huge milestone for the foundation — it was totally unexpected,” foundation president Cliff Zarecki said. He noted the sizeable contribution has the foundation’s board seriously thinking about developing a formal grant application process, with the first grants to conceivably be given out in 2010. Zarecki added that an additional $25,000 in promised donations are still expected, and the foundation could be up to $100,000 by the end of the summer.
It now sits at around $42,000, after more than $2,000 was donated by Carly Zarecki and Amanda Gooding this week, who raised pledges and had their hair cut to make wigs for cancer patients March 18.
“The board has tentatively talked about giving out the first grants once we hit $100,000, but no final decision has been made on that,” he added.
The foundation is designed to pool donations and in turn facilitate community philanthropy. Money is saved in an account and only the interest generated is used to fund community projects.
The foundation was officially launched in November. Anyone interested in donating can visit lacdubonnetfoundation.ca

(back to top)

December, 2008 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

Grade 9 student helping out cancer patients, charitable foundation

By Marc Zienkiewicz

Carly Zarecki will cut her hair for cancer patients while taking pledges for the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation. She is calling on the Lac du Bonnet community to help her in her cause to help cancer patients and the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation.
Zarecki, a Grade 9 student at Lac du Bonnet Senior School, has been growing her hair in honour of family friend Ashley Kovari, who died of a rare form of cancer eight years ago.
Zarecki has decided that once her hair reaches 36 inches, she will have 12 inches cut off to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society to help make wigs for cancer patients.
She is asking for anyone with at least eight inches of “hair to spare” to join her in her hair donation effort. She is also asking for support through pledges that will be donated to the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation, which was recently formed to help fund community initiatives.
Money raised will be managed under a sub-fund for families and children in need of medical support.
“I thought of Ashley and wanted to do what I could to help,” Zarecki said.
To aid in the young girl’s cause, call Cindy at 345-2573. Pledges will be accepted until Feb. 1, 2009.

(back to top)

November, 2008 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

Mitchell sleeps outside to raises funds for Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation

By Marc Zienkiewicz

The Lac du Bonnet Leader's Brett Mitchell spent 12 hours outside the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre in sub-zero winter temperatures Nov. 28 to raise money for the community's new charitable foundation.

Here is an exclusive Leader video detailing the event (1:16).>>

Fund created in Cheryl’s memory

A substantial pledge was made last week to the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation in the name of the late Cheryl Bruce. Cheryl’s husband John has pledged $5,000 in the name of his wife, who died of cancer earlier this year, and the money will be used to start an “In Memory of Cheryl Bruce” sub-fund. The interest earned will be earmarked for local community initiatives and worthy causes in the future that would be dear to Cheryl’s heart.
“My hope is this fund will be of assistance to those in need in the future, with the emphasis on having Cheryl’s spirit attached,” John said.
Foundation member and Cheryl’s friend Brett Mitchell said the pledge is more than welcome and will ensure Cheryl’s memory and willingness to help her community will live on.
“Cheryl was a great volunteer and an ambassador of this community,” he added.
Cheryl was fond of helping out various community causes, including sitting on the rec district board, volunteering at the Lions Club seniors dinner and donating items to the town nursery school.
“Anything to do with children and needy families was especially of concern to her,” John said.
Cheryl's friend Marilyn Stewart said the fund will be a fitting tribute.
“Cheryl would have been very proud to be a part of this,” she said.
For information on the foundation and to donate, contact Gus Wruck at 345-2206 or visit the foundation website at lacdubonnetfoundation.ca.

(back to top)

October 3, 2008 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

Foundation gaining strength - First influx of cash received

By Marc Zienkiewicz

The Lac du Bonnet Community Foundation was officially born this week when it received its first donations.

The recently-formed foundation was given a total of $2,000 courtesy of the RCMP Musical Ride and Lac du Bonnet ratepayer Gus Wruck.

“This is a great milestone for us,” foundation chair Cliff Zarecki said.

Community foundations — of which there are many in Manitoba — are independent charitable organizations that help facilitate community philanthropy. They pool donations, place the money into investment funds, and use only the interest generated to support a wide variety of community initiatives.

The Lac du Bonnet Community Foundation recently received charitable status.

RCMP Musical Ride organizer Sharalyn Reitlo presented the foundation with $1,000 on Wednesday. In total, the Musical Ride — which took place in July — made a $5,800 profit. The rest of the cash will go to the community centre (for the purchase of a projector screen), the Lac du Bonnet and District Historical Society for its Hans Erickson museum project, Lac du Bonnet Centennial School for its new play structure, and to the community of Pinawa for yet-to-be-announced projects. Reitlo said Musical Ride organizers are pleased to contribute to the budding foundation. “It's such a worthwhile project,” she said.

Wruck Donates - Another $1,000 donation came from Lac du Bonnet's Gus Wruck, a member of the foundation board. Wruck said his substantial personal donation is meant to inspire others to help the community. “I wanted to show my own commitment to the community, but most of all to encourage others to make similar contributions,” Wruck said.

“I feel we all should do what we can to help leave some kind of legacy.”

(back to top)

September 12, 2008 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

LdB Foundation gets green light

By Donna Delaurier

The Lac du Bonnet It’s official – Lac du Bonnet has a charitable foundation.
Mauri Rutherford, chairman of the Lac du Bonnet and District Charitable Foundation Inc., said he received word this week the foundation has received its charitable designation from Revenue Canada.
“We’re going to be open for business very shortly,” Rutherford said. “We’re very proud. Very happy. I think we can get rolling now.” Creating a charitable foundation in LdB has been a long-time dream for many people, including Rutherford’s father ‘Doc’ Rutherford. “It was his dream,” Rutherford said.
Unfortunately, Doc passed away several years ago, but the younger Rutherford decided to tackle his dad’s dream.
Of course Rutherford’s just one of a team that has been working diligently on the foundation for the past year. The committee also includes Cliff Zarecki (president), Gus Wruck (vice president), Donna Tschetter (secretary), Bob Draward (treasurer), Gordon Emberly, Daryll Hyslop, Norm Plato, Brett Mitchell, and Bill Russell.
Attaining charitable status required plenty of work, and Rutherford’s glad the committee can now begin accepting donations from individuals and groups.
“There’s been a lot of interest by people who have money available to make donations,” Rutherford said.
“We’re now past the ‘let’s make this thing exist’ mode and moving to the ‘let’s start fundraising’ mode.”
Rutherford said the committee will be meeting shortly to establish sub-committees and move into the fundraising phase.

(back to top)

May 30, 2008 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

FOUNDATION SET TO LAUNCH BY SEPTEMBER

By Marc Zienkiewicz

The Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation is nearly a reality and should have charitable status by September, foundation president Cliff Zarecki said this week.
The foundation began in July of last year when Zarecki was appointed chairman of a committee designed to look into the possibility of starting a community foundation for Lac du Bonnet.
Community foundations -- of which there are many in Manitoba -- are independent charitable organizations that help facilitate community philanthropy. They pool donations, place the money into investment funds, and use only the interest generated to support a wide variety of community initiatives.
Zarecki has been involved with trying to get a community foundation going for LdB in the past.

Several years ago, Winnipeg’s Thomas Sill Foundation -- which was created in the 1980s when Sill willed his money to create it -- was consulted by officials in LdB, but the project never got off the ground.
Now Zarecki is happy to report the foundation has 10 board members. Other members are Daryl Hyslop, Norm Plato, Gus Wruck, Gord Emberley, Donna Tschetter, Bob Draward, Brett Mitchell, Bill Russell, and Mauri Rutherford.
“Now it’s a matter of figuring out what we have to do to get the word out,” Zarecki said.
An education campaign will be forthcoming to explain the benefits of the foundation to area residents.
Beausejour has a foundation of its own, and it has been very successful. Today it has a pool of working capital in the neighbourhood of $300,000.
At an interest rate of four per cent, this would generate $12,000 every year for community projects.
Anyone who wants more information on the Lac du Bonnet Charitable Foundation can contact Zarecki at 345-8086.

(back to top)

2007 Archives (August 2007) (July 2007)

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

idea moving ahead

By Marc Zienkiewicz

Organizers are going ahead with their attempt to make a community foundation a reality for Lac du Bonnet.
Cliff Zarecki, chairman of a committee formed to try and get the foundation off the ground, said he was encouraged by a recent meeting held at the RM office to promote the concept, which included presentations by MLA Gerald Hawranik and past Brokenhead River Community Foundation chairman Ron Jackson.
“It went great and everyone present definitely thought it was a good idea,” Zarecki said.
Community foundations – of which there are many in Manitoba – are independent charitable organizations that help facilitate community philanthropy, according to a report issued in 2006 by the Winnipeg Foundation.
Basically, they work like this. Money is put into a bank account by various members and organizations from the respective community, and only the interest generated by those funds is used for community projects such as health, education, and recreational initiatives. The money is usually handed out in the form of grants.
Jackson said he too is hopeful a foundation can be built in LdB, and said the idea is “one of the few ways” to ensure the future of rural communities.

“Nowadays, the young people just aren’t volunteering like they used to,” Jackson said. He noted that service clubs around the province, like the Lions and the Knights of Columbus, are having trouble attracting new members.
“Most younger people just don’t have the time to volunteer what with increased family and work commitments.”
Zarecki said if a community foundation in LdB came to fruition, the money generated each year would be roughly equal to the amount the community’s Lions Club is able to raise on an annual basis.
Zarecki himself is past president of the LdB Lions.
“With a foundation, the community would have its money working for it, rather than depending on us old folks to do that work,” he said with a chuckle.
The community will also have help from Winnipeg’s Thomas Sill Foundation, which will give $1 for every $2 raised by the LdB community within three years up to a maximum of $100,000.
The Brokenhead River Community Foundation also received a boost from the RM of Brokenhead and the Town of Beausejour, which kicked in $10,000 to help start up the foundation, which has been going strong for about eight years.
It currently has around $360,000 in assets, making around $18,000 a year available for grants, scholarships and administration.
Zarecki and his planning group -- which includes councillors Harvey Saunders and Gus Wruck, Donna Tschetter, Lions Club President Daryll Hyslop, Kim Buhay and Bill Russell -- will take on the task of promoting the idea to the public and coming up with a marketing plan.
The foundation must also become a registered charity.

(back to top)

Posted on July 6, 2007 by Lac du Bonnet Leader

A strong FOUNDATION

By Marc Zienkiewicz

Cliff Zarecki has his work cut out for him.
The longtime Lac du Bonnet volunteer has been selected by the town and RM as chairman of a new committee meant to oversee the creation of a community foundation for the area.
“We’re really entering a feasibility phase at this point,” Zarecki said.
“There’s a lot of leg work that’s going to have to be done to get this off the ground.”
Zarecki has been involved with trying to get a community foundation going for LdB in the past.
Several years ago, Winnipeg’s Thomas Sill Foundation -- which was created in the 1980s when Sill willed his money to create it -- was consulted by officials in LdB, but the project never got off the ground.
“The community had other issues it was dealing with at the time,” Zarecki said.
Now, though, might be the time to get it started, he
added.
Community foundations -- of which there are many in Manitoba -- are independent charitable organizations that help facilitate community philanthropy, according to a report issued in 2006 by the Winnipeg Foundation.
Basically, they work like this. Money is put into a bank account by various members and organizations from the respective community, and only the interest generated by those funds is used for community projects such as health, education, and recreational initiatives. The money is usually handed out in the form of grants.
However, getting enough money to generate substantial interest is one of the major stumbling blocks, Zarecki said.
The community will first have to be consulted to ensure there’s enough interest to make the project a success.
For example, money is often willed to community foundations, just as Sill did.
“If anyone wished to leave their money to the foundation, it would go into the account and only the interest would be spent,” Zarecki said.
A public meeting to gauge interest in the project will be held at the RM office July 25 at 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.
MLA Gerald Hawranik, who has experience with organizing community foundations, will give a presentation. Ron Jackson, past president of the Beausejour-Brokenhead Community Foundation, will also speak.

(back to top)