A host of charitable organizations and programs are benefitting from the legacy of a local family with a philanthropic heart.
A special event Monday afternoon at the Morden Legion hall saw representatives of the family of Colleen and Bill Lyne grant out a significant amount of money.
The amount handed out was not specified, but suffice to say it was making a major impact on the organizations that were benefitting as a result of the family not wanting to wait to give their money back to their community.
“It’s wonderful,” said Colleen Lyne, who noted choosing the organizations to support was not an easy decision.
“It was very difficult to make the choices we made, but we came up with a good list,” she said, adding that it felt really good to have such an impact.
“Very much so,” agreed brother-in-law Mervin Lyne, who said they “really appreciate the fact it is being given out now rather than later … [Colleen] just really wanted to give it out now.”
Colleen built a career in education, working as a reading clinician for Western School Division, while Bill was a well-known businessperson who owned and operated Southman Agricultural Sales.
Together they shared a vision of supporting local organizations and enhancing the lives of people in their community, and their generosity was guided by a simple but powerful goal: to strengthen the here and now of their community.
The family has established two annual scholarships through the Morden Area Foundation and three annual grants to the Pembina Thresherman’s Museum, Morden Activity Centre, and Morden Legion.
Organizations and programs receiving funding this week included:
– Star Mound Society
– St. Andrews on the Red
– Snowflake Cemetary
– Manitou palliative care
– Clearwater 4-H Club
– La Riviere 4-H Club
– Weyburn 4-H Club8
– Windygates 4-H Club
– Morden 4-H Club
– La Riviere ski club
– Minnedosa ski club
– Genesis House
– Morden Community Services and Pembina Valley Child Care
– Youth for Christ
– Alzheimer Society
– Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre
– Adult and Teen Challenge
– Kendal New Ventures (Morden Alliance Church)
– Pembina Counselling Services
– Many Hands Resource Centre
– Menzies Medical Centre
– Katie Cares
– Morden Handivan
– Tabor Home
– Pembina Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters
– South Central Cancer Resource
– Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation.
“Bill and I hoped this contribution would truly reflect our appreciation for all that our community has given us,” Colleen said in a statement ahead of the celebration.
