A university student who turned tragedy into a legacy for a murdered friend is being recognized for his generosity.

Colton Lewis is one of seven Spirit of Giving award honourees chosen by the Calgary chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Through individual or business philanthropy, the seven have worked to help others and improve the community. 

Lewis decided to act after he and his friend, Brett Wiese, were violently attacked at a party. Lewis was stabbed six times, barely surviving, and his friend was killed. Instead of dwelling on the negative, Lewis created a fund to honour his friend and help fellow Haskayne students: The Brett Wiese Memorial Scholarship Endowment. To date, more than 70 donors have contributed more than $200,000 to Wiese’s legacy.

“Being able to see life through a positive lens is paramount in achieving happiness. Adversity can be the catalyst for negativity, but being able to identify a silver lining in even the most tragic situations can help soothe the deepest scars,” said Lewis, the Outstanding Youth Philanthropist Award winner.

The other honourees are:

• Stikeman Elliott LLP (Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist Award). This company launched a volunteer program in 2008, providing more than 2,000 hours of volunteer service to organizations such as the Mustard Seed, Inn From the Cold, Women In Need Society and Operation Christmas Child.

• Mike and Linda Shaikh (Lifetime Achievement Philanthropist Award). The Shaikh family invested in the TRW (Teaching, Research, Wellness) Centre at the University of Calgary, donated $1 million to the Alberta’s Children’s Hospital and $1 million to the Calgary Public Library.

• The Steele Family (Outstanding Philanthropic Family Award). The Steeles have been volunteers with many organizations, including the ALEX, the Calgary Counselling Centre, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Calgary, the United Way and others. 

• Suzanne West (Doc Seaman Individual Philanthropist Award). West has been an advocate, a supporter, an educator and a champion for Inn From the Cold for more than 10 years. 

• Calgary Firefighter Burn Treatment Society (Outstanding Philanthropic Group Award). Calgary firefighters raise funds for the Burn Treatment Centre at Foothills Hospital. Since inception in 1978, the society has raised almost $8 million, helping to transform burn care in Calgary.

• Peters & Co. Ltd. (Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist Award). Peters & Co. are longtime supporters of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and the United Way.

The honourees will be officially recognized at a National Philanthropy Day event on Nov. 15 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

Faced with fewer jobs in an economic downturn along with the mental toll of returning from a war zone — veterans in the Calgary area need more support than ever.

Officials with the 10th Annual Veterans Food Drive are asking for food and donations from generous Calgarians in hopes of helping veterans at a time when they may need it most.

“This is a trying time for many of our military personnel that have recently become veterans. Traditionally they would seek employment in the oilpatch, but as we all know those jobs are hard to come by,” said David Howard, president of the Calgary Legacy Project which runs the food drive.

“This is an opportunity for Calgarians to show their support for those who gave us our freedoms and way of life,” he said, adding that young veterans coming back from Afghanistan are in particularly “dire need.”

“These veterans are having a hard time finding jobs, they are struggling with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and are living in poverty. 

“There are no excuses for the people who made Canada such a great country to go hungry.”

Last year, Calgarians helped generate over $60,000 in cash donations and filled two warehouses full of food for the Calgary Veterans Food Bank.

This year the project is once again working with Crown Surplus, an army surplus store in Inglewood which will take cash or non-perishable food donations to support veterans.

Canadian Legacy Project is also working the Calgary Co-op Association to purchase food gift cards for veterans with cash donations received throughout the food drive.

Anyone who is unable to get down to Crown Surplus but would still like to help can send donations to the Canadian Legacy Project, a registered charity, at #210-1235 17th Ave. S.W.

Donations can also be made online at www.canadianlegacy.org.

eferguson@postmedica.com

Love versus hate, hope versus despair, courage versus fear.

In every life there comes at least one crisis when we have to choose between the light and the dark. For Colton Lewis, that time came far too early.

At age 20, he was fighting for his life in a Calgary hospital, suffering from six stab wounds inflicted by a stranger. Yet there was little struggle when it came to what side he wanted to be on.

“There was no time for hate in our hearts,” Lewis says of that day in early 2013, when he woke to learn that while he had barely survived a surprise attack at a house party a week earlier, his close friend and fellow University of Calgary student Brett Wiese had died from his injuries. “We needed to rally around something, we needed to fill our hearts with love,” says Lewis.

Even while undergoing several months of rehabilitation, Lewis, now 24, quickly put his beliefs into action. With the help of his family, Wiese’s family and friends, he managed to raise more than $200,000 to form the Brett Wiese Memorial Scholarship at the University of Calgary.

Lewis, a fine young man whose story I have been privileged to share with Herald readers on two previous occasions, is not the attention-seeking sort. On Tuesday, though, he finds himself under the spotlight at the 20th annual Calgary marking of National Philanthropy Day, the recipient of the award for Youth Philanthropist at its Spirit of Giving awards ceremony.

The awards luncheon, hosted by the Calgary and area chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, annually recognizes local citizens who, its press materials say, “give of their hearts, of their minds and of their resources to make Calgary a great city and a great community.” On this day, more than 800 community leaders, charitable types and corporate donors have crammed the BMO Centre at Stampede Park for the special occasion.

Over the course of the two-hour event, several awards are given out to corporations, community groups and individuals who fulfil those requirements. While the story of Lewis — who is accompanied by his parents, Chris and Ilana Lewis, as well as Brenda and Jody Wiese, Brett’s parents — is the most emotional one of the day, there are more that bring many in the audience to tears.

Don Adamson, who survived burns to half his body after a propane tank explosion, talks about the effect the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society (Outstanding Philanthropic Group) has had on survivors like him, thanks to its raising of more than $8 million for such initiatives as the Foothills Hospital’s state-of-the-art burn treatment centre. Adamson says he recalls telling the firefighters that, “you saved my life — I won’t waste it.”

Suzanne West holds back tears as she and host Dave Kelly watch her nomination video as the Doc Seaman Individual Philanthropist of the Year in the Generosity of Spirit Awards at the BMO Centre Tuesday November 15, 2016. She is an advocate for Inn From the Cold. 

Then there are the heartfelt words of a young Calgary mom, who thanks Peters & Company Ltd. (Small Business Philanthropist) for its funding to the Alberta Children’s Hospital that resulted in her son being properly diagnosed and treated for a rare condition.

Like Colton Lewis, the other individuals being celebrated on this day admit to being uncomfortable in the spotlight. Pat and Bob Steele (Outstanding Philanthropic Family) see their work helping such organizations as the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured as reward in itself.

“The way we look at it, if there’s somewhere we see a need,” Bob Steele shyly tells event co-host Dave Kelly, “we just keep our mouths shut and kick it into gear.”

Then there’s Suzanne West, the Doc Seaman Individual Philanthropist for 2016, who came up with an innovative way to raise funds for local charity Inn From the Cold. On her birthday each year, she spends nine hours at the Crescent Road staircase, running up and down. She invites Calgarians to join her, pledging on their behalf $1 to charity for each flight of stairs climbed.

“It’s my favourite day of the year,” she explains with a laugh of the fundraiser that this year raised $30,000. “It’s so inspiring to see people give pain in service to other human beings.”

Linda and Mike Shaikh smile after being honoured with the Lifetime Philanthropist Award during the Generosity of Spirit Awards at the BMO Centre Tuesday November 15, 2016. 

Mike and Linda Shaikh, who gracefully accept the Lifetime Achievement Philanthropist award, have given their time and money over the decades to such organizations as Calgary Urban Project Society and the Calgary Public Library.

“Learn, earn and return,” says Mike, is the mantra his father taught him and he took to heart. “Success, for me, is definitely beyond money and things,” says Linda. “It’s being part of a rich and growing community, being embraced by the community and being able to contribute and grow together.”

Choosing love over hate, hope over despair and courage over fear — while they come from all walks of life, it’s the one thing Colton Lewis and his fellow 2016 Spirit of Giving award recipients share, in a time Calgarians need it most.

vfortney@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/valfortney

No doubt, times are tough in our beautiful city by the Bow.

Good jobs are disappearing, bills are high and many of our friends and neighbours are suffering.

The economic dark cloud that hangs over Calgary is real: there’s double-digit unemployment, a growing number of defaulted debts, business closures and a general uncertainty that 2017 will bring any relief.

Add to this the ever-existing layer of poverty, abuse and mental health issues that plagues every major city on the planet, and it is easy to come to the conclusion that the need has never been greater.

Calgarians, however, have always proven to be tougher than any tough time.

So, it is in that spirit that we call on you once again help make a difference in your community.

Today, we launch the 26th year of our Calgary Herald Christmas Fund.

Over the past 25 years, you have helped raise more than $24 million for city agencies that form the front line against poverty, addiction, mental illness and abuse.

Every nickel raised goes directly to the selected agencies.

This is my first full year as part of this great charity and, as a good immigrant boy from Forest Lawn, it is a humbling and inspiring experience.

Herald employees past and present have always been proud of the Christmas Fund and its modest roots.

More than a quarter century ago, a group of journalists wanted to do something to give back to the community. Something that would make a difference.

They asked then-publisher Kevin Peterson if the paper would be interested in forming a fund to help local charities.

Peterson, a former reporter himself, didn’t hesitate and the Christmas Fund was born.

From that day on, it grew to one of the city’s top charitable fundraising initiatives.

A few years ago, we were honoured to have the fund recognized as the top local corporate philanthropic effort. The Christmas Fund campaign has also been acknowledged as the world’s best in corporate philanthropy — a humbling recognition that would not be possible without you.

Your generosity has helped more than 80 worthwhile charities bring hope to those who need it most.

This year, we have selected 12 charities we believe are worthy of your support. They are:

Alpha House

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

Calgary Food Bank

Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS)

Canadian Mental Health – Calgary Region

Cornerstone Youth Centre

Distress Centre Calgary

Hospice Calgary

Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre

Silvera for Seniors

YWCA of Calgary

Representatives of the 2016 recipient agencies and Calgary Herald staff gather for a group photo at the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund 2016 launch at Heritage Park on Tuesday, November 22, 2016.

Over the coming weeks, you will learn more about these charities as we profile them in the hopes of giving you a glimpse into what they do and why they’re needed.

Our city is no stranger to boom-and-bust cycles. We will battle back from this most recent downturn as well.

We are hopeful we can count on your support as we embark on a new season of fundraising in the face of record hardship.

You can donate securely online at heraldchristmasfund.com, or by clipping out the donation form in the print edition and mailing it with your donation to the attached address.

You can also call 403-235-7481, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For the past 11 years, I’ve been proud to call Calgary home.

I arrived at the beginning of one of our famous booms, in 2005. Life for many Calgarians and Albertans was great! Work was plentiful, corporations were generous to the less fortunate, and iconic institutions like Heritage Park enjoyed the support of many Calgarians, companies and philanthropists.

Fast forward to 2016. Things have changed. What was once a bustling, prosperous downtown has become quiet and empty. Construction of new office and residential towers is almost at a standstill and people are worried about their futures. Many of the thousands of people who flooded our city a few years ago with aspirations of well-paid jobs have now returned home.

It’s a stark reminder of how quickly life as we know it can change. I’ve been told by many longtime Calgarians that although the boom-and-bust cycle is common in Alberta this time it’s different.  

Alida Visbach, president and CEO of Heritage Park, is a guest columnist for the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund 2016 campaign. Photo courtesy of Heritage Park.

The signs are obvious: Calgary’s unemployment rate has risen to double digits, something not seen in 30 years, and the number of homes for sale is the most I’ve witnessed in my time here.

But, Calgarians rally when times are tough. Whether it’s helping those devastated by the 2013 floods or those who lost their homes and livelihoods to the wild fires in Fort McMurray earlier this year, Calgarians and Albertans stepped up and gave generously — even those with little to give.

Recently, we heard that the shelves at the Veterans Food Bank were almost empty. Within a week, people had donated food, money and time, filling shelves with enough to, hopefully, get them through the next few months. And this story is not an isolated one.

The Calgary Herald Christmas Fund is proof of the generosity of the people of this great city. Each year for the past 25 years, its fundraising goals have been reached or surpassed. This year, more than ever, the need is great for the 12 agencies that are the recipients of this fund. The people they assist are the ones who need it most.

So, as you look forward to your own celebrations this holiday season, set aside some time and thought for those in need of help this year.

I recognize that for many, asking for help is not an easy thing to do. So, before someone has to ask, please offer. Contribute to this campaign, so generously established and run by the Calgary Herald. Buy a gift for a child who may not otherwise get one. Give to the Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign. There are volunteers with kettles located all over the city, including at Heritage Park. Buy admission for a family to enjoy some of the traditional holiday festivities, like the Calgary Zoo’s Zoolights, Heritage Park’s Once Upon a Christmas, Theatre Calgary’s A Christmas Carol or the Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

What may seem small to you can make a world of difference to someone unable to afford these luxuries. Not only are you providing an experience for someone who’ll remember it for years to come, you’ll be supporting one of our city’s beloved cultural charities.

In my time here, I’ve learned that living in Calgary means being an active and contributing member of a community that stands together. Helping one another and supporting our charities are part of the DNA of being a Calgarian.

Remember, hardship can strike anyone at any time, so think about how you might feel if it happened to you. Be generous and kind to your neighbours and to strangers in need this year; it will be the best gift you can give to yourself and to them.

Alida Visbach is president and chief executive officer of Heritage Park Historical Village.

Too young to remember all the details, Anna does, however, remember feeling lost.

Sadness and confusion filled the child’s life when her father died in a car accident when she was six years old. Barely understanding what death meant, the girl struggled with separation anxiety for two years before help arrived in the form of a Big Sister.

“I was in a bad spot. I needed someone to look up to, a new support system,” said Anna Pheby, now 14.

“My dad’s girlfriend made a promise to always be around for me, but after a while she wasn’t. For awhile I felt let down, but Cheri has taken that spot.”

For two years, Anna’s mom, Jackie Anderson, watched her daughter try to sort through complex feelings before realizing they both needed help. She turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area to find a positive person whom Anna could relate to, have fun with and turn to when overwhelmed with her loss.

“She knows Cheri is going to be here,” says Anderson. “She’s made this commitment and that’s important to understand. There’s consistency and commitment for her. And support for me also.” 

Big Brothers Big Sisters, one of the 2016 Calgary Herald Christmas Fund recipients, has a 40-year history of matching children with mentors. Last year it served 2,057 children and youth through programs in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River and Okotoks. Besides the regular matches like Cheri Miles and Anna, there are other programs meeting specific needs, such as teen mentorship, empowering youth, girls only and one that develops relationships between youth and police. 

Proceeds from this year’s fund will support Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring as well as In-School Mentoring and Between Generations, which pairs elementary school-aged children with adults over 50.

There is a big demand for all of its programs with 163 youth on the wait list for community mentoring. Another 37 children and 13 schools are waiting for In-School Mentoring, including the Between Generations program. 

Anna Pheby, 14, and her mom Jackie Anderson, right, with Anna’s ‘Big Sister’ Cheri Miles in Calgary Nov. 16, 2016. After Anna’s father died when she was six, her mom turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters to find a mentor for her daughter.

Mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters must commit to a match for one year. Cheri and Anna have been together now for five. They share a love of crafting, volunteering, cooking, theatre, hockey and watching the Calgary Roughnecks play. They used to meet once a week for the first year or two, but as the relationship grew, and Anna’s circle of friends and school work increased, they now get together two to three times a month.

They make the most of it.

Hearing the laughter and seeing the playful camaraderie as they fill Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoeboxes for charity, it’s hard to believe they aren’t real sisters. Even with the 43-year age difference.

“She was a little lost without her father,” said Cheri, a retired Montessori teacher, who has two grown children of her own and a grandson.

“She didn’t talk much about it, but she was looking for that adult figure. Now, she’s matured immensely and her confidence has increased. I can see her relationship with her mom is stronger, too.”

Jackie agrees: “I think just having the extra supports. We’re really close, but sometimes she might feel more comfortable talking to Cheri. She’s an only child, so there’s no other role models.”

Cheri stresses she gets as much out of the relationship, as Anna keeps her feeling young. They do some volunteering together because they feel a need to give back what they’ve been given through Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“I told her she’s stuck with me for life,” said Cheri. “We’re friends. We’re family. It’s forever.” 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area is a recipient of the 2016 Calgary Herald Christmas Fund. You can help its work continue by going here to donate to the fund. 

It’s not as easy as it looks. And ‘it’ would be competing in a dance competition-without having had years of formal training.  The annual Dancing With Calgary Stars features well-known Calgarians being partnered with young dance competition students for an evening of fun and philanthropy. Brain-child of Calgary Dance Academy’s Dawn Litzenberger, Dancing With Calgary Stars has seen the likes of yours truly (Bill “Terror Tango” Brooks) and Alfred “Bull Fighter” Balm, to name but a few, take to the stage with our learned dance partners to dazzle guests with our dance routines perfected after hours and hours of rehearsal. Dazzle and perfected may be a bit of a stretch. And I can tell you from personal experience, it really is not as easy as it looks on television.

This year, the 5th annual, held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre, raised funds to support young Calgary dancers vying for a position on the podium at the 2017 Canadian Ballroom Dance finals as well as to help vulnerable families and children in our city by supporting CUPS programming. A perfect pairing if there ever was one.

Calgary stars and their fabulous young dance partners taking to the stage this night included: Chad “Ready to Rumba” Robinson; Counc. Andre “Jumpin’ Jive” Chabot; Counc. Sean “Samba Man” Chu; Kathy “El Toro” Hays; Irene “Waltzing Wonder” Besse; Pat “Rumba Queen” Moore; and Michelle “Cha Cha Cutie” Cameron. Audience participation determined the winner and the decision was unanimous-all the competitors were winners this night.

Guests in attendance cheering on their favourite star included: Laureen Harper and Ann McCaig; Patti and Larry O’Connor; CUPS’ Carlene Donnellly, Dean Schroeder and Prab Lashar; Calgary Public Library Foundation vice-president Brent Buechler and his wife Vicki; Pat “Rumba Queen” Moore’s husband Sherrold and their daughter Anstice’s Cynthia Moore; Rocky View Development Council board member Nancy Calvin; Sen. (Ret.) Dan Hays; Michelle “Cha Cha Cutie” Cameron’s family comprised of husband Allan Coulter, daughter Grace Coulter and mom Jacqueline Cameron; Calgary Stampede Foundation vice-president and previous dance competitor Sarah Hayes; past dance competitor Alfred Balm and his wife Phyllis Balm; YWCA Calgary’s Deanna Holt; outstanding philanthropists Don and Ruth Taylor; Counc. Sean Chu’s cheering section-daughters Sienna and Jasmine Chu; CUPS board chair Michael Lang;  and others pictured at right.

The 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars gala held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre was the most successful to date and raised funds for both CUPS and the Calgary Dance Academy. Pictured are Laureen Harper (left) and dancing star Kathy Hays.

Pictured, from left, at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars gala held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are Patti and Larry O’Connor with well known Calgarian and dancing star this night Irene Besse.

 Pictured at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars gala held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are Rocky View Development Council member Nancy Calvin with Anstice’s Cynthia Moore. Moore’s mom Pat was one of the dancing stars this night.

 Pictured at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars gala held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are the Coulter family. From left Allan Coulter, daughter Grace Coulter, Olympian Michelle Cameron Coulter and her mom Jacqueline Cameron. Michelle was one of the dancing stars this night.

The 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars gala held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre was the most successful to date raising funds for both the Calgary Dance Academy and CUPS. Pictured are CUPS’ Dean Schroeder and Carlene Donnelly.

 Vicki and Brent Buechler were among those in attendance at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre.

 Pictured, from left, at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are Calgary Stampede Foundation vice-president Sarah Hayes with legendary philanthropists Don and Ruth Taylor. Hayes was one of the dancing stars at last years’ competition.

 Pictured at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are dancers Denis Lvov and Iveta Milciute. The talented duo have placed first in numerous categories in many a dance competition.

 Doing her best paso doble pose for the lens at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are Kathy Hays and Fred Balm. Hays performed the ‘bull fighter’ dance this night while Balm performed the number in the competition’s first year.

 Pictured at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are Olesya Dmitrieva with dancing star CUPS’ board vice-chair Chad Robinson.

 Andre Chabot is not only a dedicated Councillor , but a heck of a dancer as well- evidenced by his performance at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre. Joining Chabot is his dance partner Shawni Northrup.

 Pictured at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre are the Calgary ‘stars’ with their professionally trained dance partners. The evening was not only a ton of fun but philanthropic as well with proceeds raised benefitting the Calgary Dance Academy and CUPS.

 Sean Chu is not only a dedicated Councillor but an impressive dancer as well evidenced by his performance at the 5th annual Dancing With the Calgary Stars dinner and dance competition held Nov 30 at the BMO Centre. Joining Chu are his daughters Sienna (left) and Jasmine.

Over 40 years ago, we moved to Calgary with little in our pockets, buoyed by the hope and promise of the city’s many opportunities.

Mike had left his home and family in Pakistan a few years before, and Linda left her home and family in Florida after we met and married. We were young, on the way to starting our family and this city made anything seem possible. This is where we wanted to put down roots.

We’ve been fortunate in the four decades since. We’ve raised three talented, kind and generous daughters, welcomed three wonderful sons-in-law to our family and been blessed with seven grandchildren. We’ve built a home and had many successes in business.

Our roots in the community are deep, and none are stronger than the ones we have with community institutions. We’ve proudly given to many organizations because giving further deepens our roots here. It connects us to people who share our values and, like us, want to be part of solutions, growth and innovation.

Most of the time we Albertans take for granted the quality of our lives. Even with so many of us struggling in the current downturn we still live lives that, by comparison with many other places in the world, are almost charmed.

Compare our lives now with what they would have been like a century ago. Take health, for instance: somewhere between 20 million and 40 million people died in the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, which is often cited as the most devastating epidemic in world history.

In 2016, some 150 Canadians are expected to be taken by this year’s flu strain. Many of those deaths, unfortunate as they surely are, might have been prevented with a flu vaccination.

While we live a life that our ancestors would envy, there are still many opportunities to make life better in our community, even one as prosperous as Calgary.

In its simplest form, philanthropy is an expression of compassion or generosity. It can be very basic and personal, like helping out a neighbour, or something more involved, such as starting a charitable foundation. Relatively few people in any community are capable of taking on complex projects that can affect large numbers of people.

Still, the charge, the satisfaction one gets from a smile and handshake after helping a neighbour or from handing over a big cheque is priceless.

We are social beings and we are all connected. Anything and everything we do, large or small, affects each and every one of us. When we reach out in a positive way, mindful of goodness for all, we build that loving community to make our world better place.

Mike and Linda Shaikh are longtime Calgary philanthropists.

The current total of the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund is: $310,461.88 from 901 donors

Girls in a remote Afghan school will no longer have to play volleyball on a rubble-strewn court if a Cochrane charity run reaches its fundraising goal on New Year’s Eve.

The event – the seventh annual run organized by Canada’s “Marathon Man” Martin Parnell – hopes to raise $5,000 in order to haul away debris, buy a new net and resurface the outdoor court at the Markaz Girls’ School in the town of Bamyan.

Parnell, who became famous across Canada in running 250 marathons in a single year, played volleyball on the dilapidated court himself in early November as he visited Bamyan as part of a group of international runners taking part in the secretive but successful Afghanistan Marathon.

Now he wants to repay the hospitality shown by the town and its youngsters – many of whom took part in a 10 km race that was part of the marathon festivities – by making the girls’ high school the focus of this year’s charity run in his hometown of Cochrane.

“We’re looking at completely resurfacing the volleyball court – it’s an outside court and there’s rubble all around it. With $5,000 we can get a few things done and make a facility the girls can use. Sports is new to them, so let’s at least give them something useable rather than just rubble,” said Parnell.

This is the seventh such event Parnell has helped organize in Cochrane and each year a different charity benefits. About 18 months ago the 60-year-old racer wasn’t sure if he’d ever lace up another pair of running shoes after a blood clot was discovered in his brain.

However after intensive medical treatment he is now symptom-free and back running various challenges to raise money for charity.

“Every year I wonder if it’s the last one then something comes up, some cause. I think there will always be a cause. It’s good to focus on doing something specific, so people who donate can see there is a concrete outcome,” he said.

During his time in Bamyan Parnell was amazed at the enthusiasm the teenage girls had for sport – something new to many Afghan females who have often been banned from taking part.

“These young women are amazing. Many from the school took part in the 10K and enjoyed themselves. In some ways they are the face of a new Afghanistan,” he added.

All money raised will be passed along to the Free to Run charity, which is heavily involved in bringing sport to youngsters in parts of the world lacking suitable facilities.

In the Dec. 31 event the various race distances start at different times, so most runners or walkers finish approximately together. The marathon starts at 9 a.m., the half marathon at noon, the 10 km at 1:30 p.m., the 5 km at 2:15 p.m. and a 2 km at 2:40 p.m.

All races begin and end at the Spray Lakes Sawmills sports centre in the town. Anyone can register on the day starting at 8 a.m. with a donation to the charitable cause.

“There are no medals or T-shirts but everyone is guaranteed a great time and a chance to do something to promote sport for girls in Afghanistan,” said Parnell.

Ross Glen knows about doing business like, well, nobody’s business.

For half a century, RGO Office Products has been providing equipment for Calgarians, and Glen has made sure the product is a worthy one.

“And having the service to back it up,” he added emphatically. “Service is really important. I have a service background so we want to do it right the first time and, if we don’t, I want to get it fixed as quick as we can. I think our company does that. We’re all on the same wavelength there. There’s nothing that drives customers away faster than bad service.”

Thanks to that longevity and attention to detail, Glen was in 2016 inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame, along with three other titans. In an understated way, he talked about how much it meant to him.

“It was a good honour,” said Glen, one of this city’s major philanthropists along with his wife, Shirley. “Calgary has always been our town. I’m a local guy, we started RGO 50 years ago and we’ve done a lot of good things for the city. But we’ve always been interested in supporting health and education and theatre, those are our big focuses. I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t expect it. I was in pretty illustrious company, wasn’t I?”

Glen was inducted alongside the late Ron Southern, Cal Wenzel and Mac Van Wielingen.

RGO began with three people in 1966 and has grown to a staff of 270 employees in Calgary, Edmonton and Canmore.

Glen attended Sunalta Elementary as a child and moved on to Western High School. These deep roots are instrumental in where his donations go today.

“Anything pertaining to Calgary, like Heritage Park, the zoo, Stampede,” he said. “We grew up here; that’s what makes the city tick. We do our share to make things better for people and I think that’s important.”

Homelessness in Calgary continues to be a grave issue, but Suzanne West is taking big steps toward tackling the problem.

West, president and CEO of Imaginea Energy, is the brains behind Steps to End Homelessness, created in 2010, which has since raised more than $103,000 for Inn From the Cold.

The premise is simple: each year on or around her birthday, West invites individuals to climb the staircase on Crescent Road, to raise money for charity. It’s a nine-hour day she relishes, and is already looking forward to April 25, 2017.

“It’s literally my favourite day of the year,” said West. “One day I saw a colleague doing 50 sets of stairs with his friends to celebrate his 50th birthday. I thought, that’s a cool thing to do on your birthday. So I thought I’d do 45 sets for 45.

“I emailed all my friends. Guess how many said yes? Zero. Then I thought, what if I put it together for charity? For every set I will give $1 for charity. Then I got a lot of responses.”

For this endeavour and giving in general, West was this past year presented with the Doc Seaman Individual Philanthropic Award.

That sense of giving back was born at an early age.

“I come from a lower middle class, we didn’t have much,” she said. “We went to the Middle East to live, my dad was a payroll administrator. That was the first time I’d seen abject poverty, people who had nothing. I remember getting my head screwed on tight when I was 10 years old — like, listen, you have more than most of the people on this planet. Be grateful for everything you have and don’t worry about what you don’t have.”

Through her charitable foundation Power of One, West donates to various groups, the SPCA being a favourite, and also has six foster children around the world. But it’s the stair-climbing — by pregnant women, septuagenarians, even blind folk — that thrills her.

“It’s one thing to write a cheque,” she said, “but it’s another when people donate pain for strangers.”

The Herald unveils its annual list of 20 individuals making their mark on our city, and who are worth keeping an eye on in the year to come and beyond.

Read more about each Calgarian in the links below.

Dr. Paul Arnold | Child psychologist and researcher

Marg Baker | Mercy Ministries

Kimberley Cooper | Artistic director, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks

Jeff Fielding | City manager 

Ross Glen | Businessman and philanthropist

Rita Khanchet Kallas | Syrian refugee, entrepreneur

Jinhee Lee | Chef

Colton Lewis | Philanthropist

Rev. Ray Matheson | Pastor, First Alliance Church

Greg McMeekin | Lawyer, advocate for people with disabilities

Tate McRae | Dancer

Bo Levi Mitchell | Stampeders quarterback

Hayley Muir | Musician, DJ 

Mike and Linda Shaikh | Philanthropists

Faye Stenning | Spartan Racer

Dr. Ardythe Taylor | Medical director, Breast Cancer Supportive Care

Ken Uzeloc | Deputy fire chief, Calgary Drop-In Centre chair

Suzanne West | CEO and philanthropist

Erica Wiebe | Olympic wrestler

Darby Lee Young | Advocate for people with disabilities

It seems like cookies are the secret to success.

More than $46,000 was raised in Sunterra Market’s first-ever #LuckyStarsCookie Campaign, with 100 per cent of donations going to Calgary non-profit Inn from the Cold.

“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Inn from the Cold, and we always know funds channelled in their direction are put to great use,” said Glen Price, president of Sunterra Market. “Quite often retailers will ask for donations at the till, so our team got together and said why don’t we do something a bit different?”

Different came in the form of more than 28,000 Lucky Stars cookies baked by Sunterra chefs in-house over the month of December. Decorative packages of three cookies were sold for $5, with all proceeds going to Inn from the Cold.

Price said while his expectations were high for the fundraiser, even he was surprised by how well the inaugural event did in Calgary.

“This surpassed our expectations for sure,” he said. “Our team did a great job and it’s always great when our targets were exceeded for such a good cause.”

Lynn Cox with Inn from the Cold said they were both surprised and thrilled with the success of the fundraiser. Seeing an 18 per cent drop year after year in cash donations to the Inn’s emergency shelter, Cox said the organization is grateful for the unexpected influx of funds.

“It was outstanding, no one thought this campaign would raise that much money,” Cox said. “These funds really help because we can use them to operate our shelter for anything we may need for families — it’s really good to have those undesignated funds.”

The #LuckyStarsCookie Campaign operated in both Calgary and Edmonton, with Edmonton proceeds going toward local charity E4C. A total of around $53,000 was raised for the Alberta campaign aimed at helping local charities that provide care and support to individuals and families in need.

abrooks@postmedia.com

Christmas came twice for 12 invaluable charities. December 25, of course, and then again Jan 31 as proceeds raised through the 2016 Herald Christmas Fund were given out at a mid-morning reception held at the Calgary Herald. The 2016 fund raised nearly $1 million thanks to the outstanding generosity of scores of individuals and corporations. The fund raised $965,595- meaning each charity received a cheque in the amount of $80,466.25.

The Calgary Herald Christmas Fund was created in 1991 by Calgary Herald employees to provide Herald readers with the opportunity to respond to the needs of the city’s social agencies. The philanthropic spirit Calgarians are known for has seen the Christmas Fund raise more than $25 million in its 26-year history.  More than 80 charities have benefited from the Christmas Fund and the lives that have been changed for the better number in the tens of thousands. That the Calgary Herald covers all administrative costs ensuring 100 per cent of all dollars raised are shared equally amongst the selected recipients is something to be proud of indeed.

Charities each receiving $80,466.25 from the 2016 Christmas Fund include: Alpha House; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area; Calgary Catholic Immigration Society; Calgary Food Bank; Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS); Canadian Mental Health (CMH)-Calgary Region; Cornerstone Youth Centre; Distress Centre Calgary; Hospice Calgary;  Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre (SKAC); Silvera for Seniors; and YWCA of Calgary.

Representatives from each of the charities joined forces with Herald editor Jose Rodriguez, deputy editor Monica Zurowski, Christmas Fund editor Valerie Berenyi, Fund administrator Laura Linnell and other Herald writers and staff to celebrate the success of the 2016 campaign.

Others in attendance included: Silvera for Seniors CEO Arlene Adamson with board chair Kelly Ogle; SKAC CEO Bonnie Johnston with colleagues Alex Davloi and Emily Synnott; Calgary Catholic Immigration Society CEO Fariborz Birjandian with colleagues Patricia Gallagher, Rachel Fowler and Sunny Delaney-Clark; CMH-Calgary Region’s Debbie Wiebe and Laureen MacNeil; CUPS’ Mina Demian and Darryn Werth; Distress Centre Calgary board chair Leslie Weekes with colleague Diane Jones Konihowski; and YWCA of Calgary’s Jan Damery, Joanna Domes and Tonia Rodgers.

Heartfelt thank you to all who so generously supported the 2016 Herald Christmas Fund. It simply doesn’t get any better than helping those in need.

 The 2016 Herald Christmas Fund was an enormous success and raised nearly $1 million for 12 invaluable charities. Each charitable organization received a cheque in the amount of $80,466.25 at a reception held the morning of Jan 31 at the Calgary Herald. Pictured representing recipient Silvera for Seniors are board chair Kelly Ogle and CEO Arlene Adamson.

 Pictured, from left, with more than 80,000 reasons to smile are Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre’s (SKAC) Alex Davoli, CEO Bonnie Johnston and Emily Synnott. The SKAC was one of 12 invaluable charitable organizations sharing in the $965,595 raised through the 2016 Herald Christmas Fund

 The 2016 Herald Christmas Fund raised an impressive $965,595 which was shared equally between 12 charitable organizations. Pictured, from left, representing recipient organization Calgary Catholic Immigration Society are Patricia Gallagher, CEO Fariborz Birjandian, Sunny Delaney-Clark and Rachel Fowler. The Fund has, in its 26 year history, raised more than $25 million for myriad organizations thanks to the invaluable support of scores of individuals and corporations who have given so generously over the years.

 Pictured at the 2016 Herald Christmas Fund cheque presentation reception held Jan 31 at the Calgary Herald are Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)-Calgary Region’s Debbie Wiebe and Laureen MacNeil. CMHA was one of 12 charitable organizations sharing equally in the $965,595 raised through the 2016 Fund.

 Christmas came twice for 12 charitable organizations that shared equally in the $965,595 raised through the 2016 Herald Christmas Fund. Pictured at the cheque presentation reception held Jan 31 at the Calgary Herald are CUPS’ Mina Demian and Darryn Werth. CUPS was one of the 12 organizations presented with a cheque in the amount of $80,466.25

 Distress Centre Calgary was one of the 12 charitable organizations sharing equally in the $965,595 raised through the 2016 Calgary Herald Christmas Fund. Pictured at the Fund cheque presentation held Jan 31 at the Calgary Herald are Distress Centre’s Leslie Weeks and Diane Jones Konihowski. Since 1991, the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund has raised more than $25 million for myriad charitable organizations.

 YWCA of Calgary was one of the 12 charitable organizations sharing equally in the $965,595 raised through the 2016 Calgary Herald Christmas Fund. Pictured at the Fund cheque presentation held Jan 31 at the Calgary Herald are YWCA of Calgary’s Jan Damery, Joanne Domes and Tonia Rodgers. Since 1991, the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund has raised more than $25 million for myriad charitable organizations.

A young Calgarian is one of 10 nominees for a new national award honouring Canadian women who give back to their communities.

Sheliza Kassam, 20, will be recognized as one of 10 Women of Worth at a red carpet gala March 8 in Toronto hosted by actress Blake Lively. All 10 will received $10,000 grants from L’Oreal Paris for their charities but have the chance to win an additional $10,000 if selected in a public vote as the national honouree.

Four years ago at age 16, Kassam created Children’s Birthday Miracles, a charitable organization that hosts monthly birthday parties at Brenda’s House for underprivileged kids, providing everything from presents and cake to dress-up characters and goody bags.

She began the program at Inn From the Cold, where she volunteered with friends every year on her own birthday but has expanded the initiative to homeless shelters in four cities across Canada. The organization has also held celebrations for cancer patients in hospitals.

Since inception, Children’s Birthday Miracles has benefited more than 4,000 children, from two-week-old babies to eighteen-year-olds spending their birthday in a shelter.

Kassam, who is in her second year at the U of C’s Schulich School of Engineering, is one of 350 nominations the Women of Worth program received in its first year running in Canada. Each entry was judged on the impact of their cause, the nominee’s ability to meet an unmet community need, as well as the passion and innovation to effect change. The 10 nominees include one each from Calgary, Winnipeg, Nova Scotia and Montreal, and six from Ontario.

“We have been inspired and awestruck by the hundreds of Women of Worth nominations we received about extraordinary Canadian women who are selflessly volunteering their time and talents to make Canada a better place,” said Stephanie Binette, general manager, L’Oréal Paris in Canada. “Our first Canadian Women of Worth are advocates for refugees and the homeless, and champions for women and youth in need, among many other important causes.”

Kassam has been volunteering with various causes since high school. She has collected 1,500 pairs of used eyeglasses for her initiative Sight Night, which distributes them to third-world countries. She volunteers with Youth Central Calgary, and has chaired and co-chaired several committees. In 2012, she was named one of Volunteer Calgary’s Leaders of Tomorrow and, in 2013, was honoured with a Youth Philanthropist Award, a Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award and a city community achievement award. In 2015, she was given a Daughters Day award for her work on women’s rights.

Kassam is already planning how to make the best use of the L’Oreal winnings.

“We want to be able to create more chapters of Children’s Birthday Miracles across the country. It would help us one hundred per cent,” said Kassam. She also said she’s focused on expanding the Party it Forward program which encourages children to donate their birthday presents to the less fortunate.

The public can vote until March 7 to select one of the 10 nominees to receive an extra $10,000 grant for their charity. Go to www.womenofworth.ca for details about each nominee’s cause and to vote.

mjarvie@postmedia.com

What started as a chat over coffee has evolved into a hugely successful golf tournament. Like-minded individuals felt the need to support less-advantaged kids in our city and decided to start the Business Fore Kids annual golf tournament 12 years ago. Since it’s inception, more than $2 million has been raised for the benefit of organizations the likes of Hull Family Services, EvenStart, and Between Friends, to name but a few. That the tournament founders pay all the expenses results in 100% of funds raised going towards the charitable organizations.

The 12th annual tournament, held recently at the Glencoe Golf and Country Club, saw 152 golfers take to the links and succeed in raising $277,500 for  YMCA Strong Kids  Program, Distress Centre and Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter. Kudos to title sponsor Western Materials Handling on stepping up again this year. The tournament would not be the success it is were it not for your outstanding support.

Golfers having a wonderful day on the links this day included: tournament founders Joe Klassen, John Fitzsimmons, Tim Morgan, Allan Payne, Rob Rakochey, Jerry Roy and Pat Ottman, to name but a few; philanthropist extraordinaire, Gary Nissen; Len Bellingham; platinum sponsor, Lumina Management Consultants team Bryan Krause, Darryle Hawkings, Jason Braun, Kyla Lawson, Eric Inthof, Aaron Gill, Sonja Sage and Deanna Ott; tournament chair Tasso Chondronikolis and his team of  Dale Orton, Darren Shaw and Tyler Theberge; platinum sponsor Red Dog Systems team Russ Howden, Peter Aldrich, Dave Howden and Joey Greco; Peter Smed; Lorne Peterson; Kelly Morstad; past tournament chair David Elzinga; longtime tournament supporter, Global’s Gord Gillies; Cory McLean; Mike Jamieson; Darren Plausteiner; Jack Gordon; Gerry Wood; and Randy Mowat.

You’ll want to mark your calendars for the 13th annual tournament which is scheduled for June 4, 2018.

 Pictured, from left, at the annual Business Fore Calgary Kids golf tournament, held recently at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, are Peter Smed, Lorne Peterson and tournament founders Joe Klassen and Tim Morgan.

 Pictured, from left, at the Business Fore Calgary Kids annual golf tournament held recently at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club are platinum sponsor Lumina Management Consultants team Bryan Krause, Darryle Hawkings, Jason Braun, Kyla Lawson, Eric Inthof, Aaron Gill, Sonja Sage and Deanna Ott. The SRO tournament raised an impressive $277,500 for Inn from the Cold, YMCA Strong Kids Program, Distress Centre and Calgary Emergency Women’s Shelter.

 Pictured, from left, at the annual Business Fore Calgary Kids golf tournament, held recently at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, are platinum sponsor-Red Dog Systems’ team Russ Howden, Peter Aldrich, Dave Howden and Joey Greco.

 Having a great time at the annual Business Fore Calgary Kids golf tournament, held recently at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, are Kelly Morstad and past tournament chair David Elzinga. This year’s tournament raised an impressive $277,500 for selected charitable organizations.

 Pictured, from left, at the hugely successful Business Fore Calgary Kids golf tournament, held recently at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, are Jack Gordon, Gerry Wood, Randy Mowat and tournament founder Pat Ottman.

 Pictured, from left, at the hugely successful Business Fore Calgary Kids golf tournament, held recently at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club, are Cory McLean, tournament founder Jerry Roy, Mike Jamieson and Darren Plausteiner.

Calgary’s at-risk youth are set to benefit from a new partnership that will ensure continued operation of an innovative training program. 

Summer Cooks — an initiative of SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism meant to ignite a passion for cooking and learning in vulnerable youth — will benefit from a $2-million gift courtesy of the Joyce Family Foundation, ensuring the program’s continued operation. 

Announced Wednesday, $1 million will directly fund the Summer Cooks, Introduction of Cook Apprentice program — offering at-risk high school students motivation to continue their education while demonstrating the many opportunities that a professional culinary career offers. 

The remainder of the money will go toward bursaries meant to assist new students facing financial hardships. 

Founded as a pilot program in 2015 and aligned with the Calgary United Way’s All In For Youth initiative, Summer Cooks has already made a difference with city youth, with many program graduates choosing to complete high school and even pursue careers in the hospitality industry. 

Four high school students who previously took park in Summer Cooks are set to begin their studies this fall in SAIT’s professional cooking program — continuing their path toward promising careers as chefs. 

“It’s the best educational experience I’ve ever had,” said Travis Cornelius, one of the Summer Cooks graduates who returns this fall as a SAIT cooking student.

“All the skills I learned, I applied right away.”

The donation is the largest received by SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism.

The Joyce Family Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation dedicated to empowering and supporting youth. 

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @bryanpassifiume

There was a time our beloved city was ranked the most philanthropic metropolis in North America (on a per-capita basis). We’ve lost those bragging rights, but make no mistake. Calgarians are still among the most generous citizens on the planet. One need look no further for evidence than those individuals and organizations honoured with the Generosity of Spirit Awards at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 15 in the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Calgary and Area Chapter, the inspirational event has been saluting those who give of their time, talent and treasure for 21 years.

This year’s 2017 Generosity of Spirit honourees included: Shell Canada (Corporate Philanthropist); Something2Wear (Small Business Philanthropist); Kinsmen Club of the Stampede City (Philanthropic Group); Jay Westman (Doc Seaman Individual Philanthropist); Sutton Olivia Garner (Youth Philanthropist); Fran and Andy Porter (Philanthropic Family); and Jim Gray (Lifetime Achievement Philanthropist). Other honourees included: Krista Moroz, who was presented with the Hazel Gillespie Community Investment Leadership Award; Tina Overwater was honoured with the Outstanding New Fundraising Professional Award; and Kathleen MacPherson, winner of the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award.

This select group of individuals and organizations have changed the landscape of our fair city for generations to come. Shell Canada, for example, has contributed a staggering $100 million in social investment and sponsorships for communities across Canada over the past 10 years. Something2Wear owners Debbie Patrick and Melanie LaBlanc created Fashion With Compassion, a fashion show and silent auction fundraiser that brings in as much as $100,000 annually for the Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation. Kinsmen Club of the Stampede City has supported myriad organizations since 1964 with one of its main recipients being the Association for the Rehabilitation for the Brain Injured (ARBI). Jayman BUILT chairman and CEO Jay Westman has given of his treasure, time and talent to organizations as varied as RESOLVE and the Mustard Seed to MS research, SAIT and the Haskayne School of Business, to name but a few. Sutton Gardner created the I Can for Kids Foundation at the ripe old age of 11, thereby ensuring Calgary children get the food they need during July and August. Fran and Andy Porter turned tragedy into triumph by sharing their incredibly difficult journey after their daughter Colleen died of a drug overdose in June 2010. The Porters channelled their grief into helping others in similar situations. And  Jim Gray’s philanthropic spirit goes back to the 1950s when he moved to Calgary and stayed at the YMCA. Gray has spent a lifetime giving back to the community.

Just imagine the positive difference we could make if we all did even a small fraction of what the aforementioned have done. Heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients. 

Sutton Olivia Garner, 13, was the recipient of this year’s Youth Philanthropist Award at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon held Nov. 15 at the BMO Centre. Joining the dynamic teen are her proud parents Bobbi Turko and Mike Garner.  Photos, Bill Brooks

Shell Canada was presented with this year’s Corporate Philanthropist Award. Pictured are United Way co-chair Mathieu Rae with Shell Canada president and Canada Country Chairman Michael Crothers.

A city is made great by the contributions of its citizens. Surely topping the list of those who give so generously of their time, treasure and talent is Jayman BUILT chairman and CEO Jay Westman. Westman was presented with the Doc Seaman Individual Philanthropist Award.

Legendary Calgary businessman Jim Gray was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Philanthropist Award at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon. Pictured with Gray is his proud daughter Christine Shields.

Kinsmen Club of the Stampede City was honoured with the Philanthropic Group Award for its phenomenal support of myriad charities at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon. Pictured, from left, are the club’s Kyle Crawford, Steve Havill, Mike Elphicke and club president Tom Maclean.

Something 2 Wear co-owners Melanie LaBlanc and Debbie Patrick were the Small Business Philanthropist honourees at this year’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon. The dynamic duo created Fashion With Compassion, a fashion show and silent auction that raises as much as $100,000 annually for the Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation.

The National Philanthropy Day luncheon was all about honouring those individuals and organizations that give much of their time, treasure and talent. Pictured re co-emcees Angela Knight and Dave Kelly.

Pictured at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon are Fran and Andy Porter, this year’s Outstanding Philanthropic Family honourees.

As head of wealth management at First Calgary Financial, with its portfolio value of $500 million, Hyder Hassan understands money.

It’s an understanding begun early, at age 15, when he and his mother got jobs with a burger chain to support the recent immigrants to Canada. “I was a fry boy and my mom was in front.”

With his dad remaining in Pakistan to fulfil engineering contracts, Hassan worked, went to school, and ensured his younger siblings were fed and schooled.

“It was training me to be good at budgeting,” says Hassan, Calgary’s Immigrant of Distinction (under 35) in 2018.

His father eventually joined the family in Ontario and Hassan entered university for a kinesiology degree, ready for some “me time.”

But, unable to find engineering work, his father left. Hassan quit school to, again, support the family.

He worked nights for a photocopying company and days as a bank collections officer. “I understood people in those tough situations and tried to offer them advice and win-win situations. I got thank-you letters afterward.”

With his father’s return, Hassan joined banking full time and completed his arts degree (management studies) two or three courses at a time. In 2017, the University of Waterloo gave him a young alumni award, noting Hassan attained six financial sector designations — while volunteering extensively.

Hassan worked for a number of Canadian banks — each time achieving promotion and each time recommended by someone met along the way.

In 2013, Hassan and wife Christina (accepted at University of Calgary’s law school) moved west.

While he organized life here, Christina was in Uganda as part of her master’s in public health studies.

The suffering of mothers and children there led the Hassans, in 2013, to establish FullSoul (a recipient of humanitarian awards) outfitting African hospitals with more than 65,000 medical kits for safe delivery of babies.

In 2019, Hassan intends to “scale up” FullSoul’s effect, while doubling mentoring efforts to ensure kids learn financial planning.