April 26, 2013

As we approach our country’s 150^th birthday in 2017, Governor General David Johnston has challenged Canadians to imagine our country as it could be – a “smart and caring nation” that holds promise for everyone.

Community foundations across Canada are rising to that challenge with Smart & Caring Communities – a vision that will see more communities served by community foundations and will connect our communities by establishing Smart & Caring Community Funds from coast to coast to coast.

Listen to how Victoria Foundation is answering the call.

We believe all that we do is “Smart & Caring” from building endowments, issuing grants, and initiative community leadership, Let’ get the dialogue going!  What do you think will make us even smarter and caring even more?

Keep in touch with us!

A capacity crowd of donors, recipients, local dignitaries and SCCF board members filled the Seaside Centre on June 11 for the Foundation’s annual granting ceremony. A total of 24 groups shared in the $30,000 granted this year. The highlight of the past year was the bequest of $1.9 million from the estate of Vera Barron which augers well for future grants to the Sunshine Coast community. (Read More  as published in the Coast Reporter June 15. 2012)

Check out the photos….

We are very excited to tell you about The Barron Incentive Plan, which due to the generous contribution of $1.9 million from Vera Elizabeth Barron (read the details) to the Foundation, will match 50% of any contributions made to existing and new endowments on any donations made between November 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.  The matching funds will continue until June 30, 2012 or until $500,000 has been allocated (whichever comes first) for any donations that exceed $2,000 with the total maximum matching fund for any one endowment of $50,000.

Sound confusing?  This is a simple example:

This is a wonderful opportunity for both existing endowments and organizations or individuals thinking of creating one to get a significant contribution to their funds! The Foundation asks any of our Agency Endowments to please collect the funds from your supporters providing receipts for those donations and to periodically remit a cheque in amounts of $1,000 or more. If an individual donor sends a donation of less than $1,000 for a particular endowment referring to the Plan we may return it and ask that it be reissued in the name of the agency and sent to them for receipting.  This should lessen the administrative efforts required to issue tax receipts for all donors as we are hopeful many people in the community will see the amazing opportunity for the endowments to grow significantly thanks to Ms. Barron.

The Barron Incentive Plan is part of the disbursement of the $1.9million donation from Vera Elizabeth Barron’s estate. Endowments existing prior to November 2011 received a 20% “top-up” to their accounts (excluding our own Community Legacy Fund).  The SCCF Operating Endowment of $200,000  was set up so annual earnings can defray Foundation operating expenses on an on-going basis. The remainder of the funds, $900,000, has been used to create the Vera Elizabeth Endowment and the annual distributable earnings will be added to the other Community Endowments and granted to charities on the Lower Sunshine Coast.

Vera Elizabeth Barron was a quiet, unassuming woman. Like many of her generation she was a diligent person who worked for the RAF during the Second World War.

Born on March 17, 1908, Vera was seven years short of a century when she died on May 14, 2011. Predeceased by her younger sister Dorothy Barron, of whom it was said she quite irate with for dying first, Vera left only very distant relatives in the United Kingdom and mainly acquaintances on the Sunshine Coast.

The sisters spent much of their childhood on the Coast. Their father was a tradesman and the family had an abode in Grantham’s Landing. And after a career with the Vancouver School Board Vera decided to retire to the Sunshine Coast.

Lifelong spinsters, they had each other and for most of their lives that sufficed. Like many siblings they loved being together but not in each other’s pocket. Therefore Dorothy lived downstairs and Vera upstairs in their house on The Bluff in Gibsons. The house bought in a time when mere mortals could afford to own a home in Gibsons was their refuge.

The sisters lived a life of quiet gentility. According to Vera’s executor, retired lawyer Hugh Jones, they were intelligent women who enjoyed music, books of good quality, travelling through our world and particularly to sunny climes to escape the Coast winters. They were genuinely interesting folks.

Worshiping and supporting Gibsons United Church was important to Vera. Betty Robertson, a longtime member of the church, recalled Vera’s attendance at many church functions. Betty said Vera was a tiny woman with a big heart. One day Vera called Betty to the Barron home. Her purpose was to donate a lifetime of china teacups and saucers to the church kitchen.

Vera was a passionate gardener. The beauty of her surroundings testified to her skill well into her later years.

When Dorothy died on Dec. 16, 2006, a large void was created in Vera’s life. Vera, with no close family remaining, wanted to do something useful with her estate after her death.

In talks with her lawyer Vera decided that the bulk of her estate, accumulated after a lifetime of careful living, would go to the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation. She wanted to reach out and benefit local people and was searching to set a way to help Coasters.

A few years prior to Vera’s death Hugh had attended a presentation by the Foundation. The program had highlighted the benefit of donating to the Foundation or leaving a bequest, which could benefit local people in perpetuity. Ultimately, Vera decided that was exactly what she wanted to do.

Thanks to Vera’s foresight and caring the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation is now the recipient of $1.9 million, a gift that will continue to give in perpetuity.

Don Basham, Jean Clarke, Derek Stanfield

Jean Clarke, September 4, 1919 to February 9, 2012

Jean Clarke, a longtime supporter of the Sunshine Coast and its Community Foundation has died at age 92 of age-related complications.

Jean was a passionate advocate of children and families. Her work with the Gibsons Parent Tot program was legendary. She and sister, Pauline, provided music and song to multi-generations of families in Gibsons and area.

A talented musician blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, Jean turned down an opportunity to train as an opera singer because her greatest desire was to be a mom.

In 1943 she married Arthur Clarke. After Arthur’s stint in the Second World War the young family settled down in Vancouver and Jean’s dream of a family came true. Each of her five children, their spouses, children and grandchildren and in later years, great grandchildren were a source of joy for Jean. She was never happier than when announcing a new addition to her ever-expanding family.

A United Church member for her entire life, Jean’s support was well known at both Knox United Church in Vancouver and after 1981 when the Clarkes came here permanently at Gibsons United Church. Many girls were the beneficiaries of her time of leading CGIT. And no parishioner in Gibsons can ever forget her wonderful pancakes served after church each Sunday. Jean was also renowned for providing tasty homemade bread to anyone she thought could use a loaf.

In 2006 she established the Jean and Arthur Clarke Endowment with the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation. She wanted to leave a legacy that would go on serving the families of the Sunshine Coast. On that gorgeous summer day she was feted by the Foundation, family, friends and MLA Nicholas Simons. She was happy, she said to have the ability to help those who would need it in years to come.

“I have everything I need so why wouldn’t I help others,” she said.

A memorial service is planned for February 25 at Gibsons United Church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that those wishing to consider a donation to the existing endowment.

Sunday, April 3 2011