MLA Richard Perchotte recognizes businessman and philanthropist
On Oct. 16, Selkirk MLA Richard Perchotte acknowledged philanthropist and local businessman Jim Gaynor for his contributions to our community.
Jim Gaynor settled in Manitoba in 1954 and worked in the grocery industry. In 1975 he purchased the grocery store Gaynor Foods, which was located in Selkirk, and ran that business until his retired in 1999.
Though his reputation as a business owner was one of exceptional service, he and his wife Betty Anne are better known now in our community for the many ways they’ve supported our community.
In Perchotte’s speech at the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, he described Gaynor as having, “created a legacy of connections, empowerment, hope, respect, generosity and philanthropy.”
Perchotte continued saying, “Jim’s unwavering dedication to the community has impacted all the people of Selkirk and the surrounding communities. Not just (through) the employment opportunities he gave the community, the respect he gave every single employee — treating them like family — or the affordable prices he ensured for his customers, he did much more. He has donated millions of dollars to make life better in Selkirk. His generosity can be seen throughout the city including Selkirk’s Library, appropriately named the Gaynor Family Regional Library. The Gaynors continue their generous support through the Selkirk Community Foundation. Recently they have donated one million dollars to assist in Inclusion Selkirk’s dream of building a living centre for persons with intellectual disabilities to live independently.”
Perchotte chose to acknowledge Jim Gaynor at the legislature because of the amazing difference that he and his wife have made in Selkirk.
“Jim Gaynor and his family have spent a lifetime improving the lives of everyone who lives and visits the beautiful city of Selkirk and surrounding areas. Heroes like Mr. Gaynor never ask for any attention but it is extremely important that we recognize that without the support of these heroes, we would be doing without some of the most important things in our community,” said Perchotte.
Betty Anne Gaynor said that it was a great experience to see her husband honoured at the legislature surrounded by their family.
“It was a really a great honour to be to be acknowledged like that. It was a really great experience,” she said.
The Gaynors have been community-minded people from the beginning. Jim Gaynor says that they’ve always tried to support people in the community.
“Young people in particular. You’ll see a trend. Through our fund at the Foundation, which is a million and a half, it’s designed to assist young people in the in the region of St. Andrews, St. Clements and Selkirk,” he said.
He explained that the reason that they’ve felt that they’ve wanted to give back to our community is two-fold.
“We have the ability to do things, and if we were going to be helpful, we felt that the community that had supported us so well over 24 years should be the beneficiary of any philanthropy that we were engaging in, if at all possible,” said Jim Gaynor.
The Gaynors recommend that if anyone wants to give generously to our community the Selkirk and District Community Foundation is a great place to start. They have many funds like the one that the Gaynors set up that contribute to many local organizations and people.
