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.”