They’re making a difference

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/10/2020 (1959 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is gearing up to celebrate four individuals and two organizations whose philanthropic efforts are making a big difference in Winnipeg and beyond.

AFP Manitoba will honour Abigail Stewart, the Associates of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Paul Soubry, Fukumoto Fitness, Michael Nesbitt and John Kearsey at the Manitoba Philanthropy Awards. The lunch-hour event will take place virtually on Friday, Nov. 13.

The Winnipeg Free Press spoke with this year’s honourees.

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Abigail Stewart

At just 14 years old, Abigail Stewart has raised $75,000.

When she was four, Abigail was diagnosed with multisystem langerhans histiocytosis, a cancer-like condition that caused her white blood cells to eat away at her bones.

She underwent chemotherapy and steroid treatment at the Children’s Hospital for a year.

Her fundraising career started at the age of six when she got involved with Relay for Life, an annual fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.

By 2018, Abigail was raising money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

That was the same year the foundation named her its Manitoba Champion Child, a year-long ambassador role that saw her represent the foundation at a number of fundraising galas.

Abigail, who is now in remission, pulled off her biggest fundraiser yet when she held a day-long bake sale at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church last year.

The sale raised more than $22,500 for the pediatric oncology unit that saved her life.

Abigail, who aspires to become a doctor at the Children’s Hospital, wasn’t expecting the recognition from AFP Manitoba.

Her advice for people who want to start fundraising is simple.

“Any little bit helps. You just need to have a goal in mind and keep going.”

Outstanding Foundation or Philanthropic Group: Associates of the Winnipeg Art Gallery

The Associates of the Winnipeg Art Gallery exist to advance the WAG’s mission through fundraising, volunteerism and community outreach.

Founded in 1948, the group now has 128 members.

It has supported dozens of exhibitions, art education programs that today reach more than 25,000 students annually, the purchase of more than 2,000 artworks, and donated nearly $1 million.

It founded the gallery’s gift shop as well as the Clara Lander Library and Archives.

“It’s an amazing group of people to work with, with an amazing spirit and commitment to the arts,” says Esme Scarlett, who co-chairs the group along with Andrea Cibinel.

Being recognized by AFP Manitoba is “absolutely humbling,” Cibinel says.

“The Associates present and past could not be more thankful for this recognition,” Scarlett adds.

The group is currently focused on Qaumajuq, the WAG’s centre for Inuit art, which is scheduled to open its doors early next year.

“This is a significant addition to our city, and the fact that we have an insider’s look has been an especially rare treat,” Cibinel says.

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: Paul Soubry

Paul Soubry’s interest in philanthropy was inspired by his father, who immigrated to Canada at the age of 18.

“His view was that you’ve got to give back more than you take from the community that gives you a chance,” Soubry says. “I took that to heart.”

Soubry is the president and CEO of NFI Group Inc. (formerly New Flyer Industries), the largest busmaker in North America.

In his spare time, Soubry is a devoted volunteer who has contributed to successful charitable efforts at St. Paul’s High School, Big Brothers of Winnipeg and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Soubry also served as chair of the University of Manitoba’s Front and Centre campaign.

Launched in 2015, the campaign raised more than $626 million — well past its $500-million goal.

Money from the campaign has helped create 702 new scholarships and bursaries, establish 21 new research chairs and professorships, and realized 44 new and upgraded building projects.

“Watching the people who care about the University of Manitoba really carry the day — boy, was that gratifying,” he says.

Soubry appreciates the personal recognition he is receiving from AFP Manitoba, but notes that initiatives like the Front and Centre campaign are team efforts.

“This is about what this collective did for our community,” he says. “We’ll take this as a team award.”

Outstanding Corporation: Fukumoto Fitness

Grassroots charity initiatives have been a part of Fukumoto Fitness ever since the North Kildonan gym opened its doors in 2009.

Over the years, the gym—which has around 200 members — has raised money for 25 different causes. (Disclosure: The reporter is a member at Fukumoto Fitness and a friend of the owners.)

Johnny and Jen Fukumoto, the husband and wife team who own the gym, credit their philanthropic drive to their upbringing.

“Generosity was modelled for Jen and me fairly consistently from an early age,” Johnny says.

Fukumoto Fitness members have raised around $300,000 for Impact Romania, a charity that helps orphans in northwest Romania.

Two other causes that Fukumoto Fitness members support regularly are a nearby foodbank and Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba.

Giving does not always come easily to Johnny, but just like exercise, he says, there are benefits to be gained when you take action and make generosity a habit.

“If anyone wants to chat about starting this kind of thing (in their own business), feel free to reach out to me,” he says. “Keeping it simple and starting with just one thing you want to support is more doable than you think.”

Outstanding Philanthropist: Michael Nesbitt

Giving of one’s resources is the essence of humanity, according to Michael Nesbitt.

“Philanthropy and charity are essential to the functioning of a modern democratic society,” says the 85-year-old, who is the chairman and president of Montrose Mortgage Corporation Ltd. “To my way of thinking, that’s without a doubt the reason (philanthropy is) important to me.”

Camp Stephens, the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, the Graffiti Gallery, the Manitoba Opera and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra are just a few or the organizations that Nesbitt has supported over the years.

He had a hand in bringing acclaimed composer Philip Glass to the Winnipeg New Music Festival in 2018, assisted in bringing Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s Forever Bicycles sculpture to the Forks, and helped provide leadership to the U of M’s Front and Centre campaign.

Being honoured by AFP Manitoba is satisfying for Nesbitt, who used to shy away from being recognized for his philanthropic efforts.

“If through going public with what I’ve been doing I can encourage other people to do similar things, whether large or small, it seems to me that’s worthwhile,” he says. “No matter who you are, you can always help other people.”

Outstanding Professional Fundraiser: John Kearsey

The greatest inspiration in John Kearsey’s life has come from Terry Fox.

Kearsey, vice-president external at the University of Manitoba, vividly recalls watching the evening news the day Fox started his Marathon of Hope in support of cancer research.

“He had a clear vision, he knew what he wanted to do and he wasn’t afraid to put it out there,” Kearsey says. “It changed who I am as a human being and motivated me to do the same.”

AFP Manitoba is recognizing Kearsey for the role he played in the U of M’s Front and Centre campaign.

Kearsey, who is originally from St. John’s, N.L., says he was “surprised and not surprised” when the campaign exceeded its goal by more than $100 million.

“I learned early on when I arrived in Manitoba that people here think big, they dream big and they want to make a difference in the community,” Kearsey says.

He is honoured by the AFP Manitoba recognition, and at the same time points out that many people contributed to make the Front and Centre campaign a success.

“What sticks out to me is all that energy and all that excitement and all that enthusiasm—that sense of coming together to say, let’s do this.”

In addition to celebrating these honourees, the Manitoba Philanthropy Awards will feature keynote speaker Cate Friesen of the Story Source. Tickets for the event are available now at mbphilanthropyawards.ca.

aaron.epp@gmail.com