June 16, 2011
2010/2011 marked another very busy and successful year for the Campaign for Kids Foundation in the service of disadvantaged children and youth in Kings County. Our energetic and enthusiastic Board planned and organized several fund-raising events and monies were distributed through our scholarship/bursary program and Principal’s fund to Kings County schools, to the Highbury Education Centre and to Chrysalis House. We were fortunate to be the recipient of several significant donations and bequests from the Raymond Jefferson estate, the Chipman estate, the Tartan Foundation, Scotiabank and Police services. We thank those estates and organizations for their consideration of Campaign for Kids. Scotiabank and Michelin continue to be our major corporate supporters for which we are extremely grateful. We are acknowledging their continued support and assistance through the presentation of commemorative plaques this evening.
Successful fund-raising events included our annual golf tournament in June, our letter campaign in December, and a new venture, a musical showcase concert in March. Special gratitude is extended to the committees and Board members who worked so diligently to make these events so successful. These events were not only successful in terms of monies raised but also greatly increased the profile and public awareness of our Foundation.
Our greatest challenges continue to be the recruitment of new Board members to our Foundation particularly from western Kings and the business community as well as promoting and publicizing our organization. Regrettably Priscilla Miller was unable to continue her commitment to our Board this year due to new employment responsibilities. We acknowledge and thank her for her contributions. Two other newly appointed members were also forced to submit their resignations. We have welcomed Claudette Sturk and Ben Gale to our Board and they have both made an immediate impact in terms of their willingness to take on any responsibilities. Heather Morse also agreed to join our Board. A “sticking point” to recruitment for some new members appears to be the timing of our monthly meetings as early morning meetings are inconvenient for many. The Board may need to re-assess meeting times.
I express my most sincere thanks to all the Board members for their hard work and wise counsel throughout the year. Although we are a small group, it is through the dedication, commitment and collaboration of all members that we enjoy the success that we do. However I especially want to commend the various committee chairs, our Financial Officer Anne Nickerson and our Communications Coordinator, Nancy Kelly for their considerable efforts. Nancy contributes much behind – the - scenes work for our Foundation and it would be very difficult for a voluntary Chair to carry on the work of this organization without her work. I also continue to rely upon the advice of past Chair Laurie Wanamaker.
All in all it has been a most rewarding and successful year and I thank the Board for their tremendous support and encouragement in my first year as Chair. We have expanded into some new ventures and directions and continue to do very important work in the support of children and youth in Kings County.
Respectfully submitted,
Barry Corbin, Chair
