The beginnings of the Virden Area Foundation Inc. started in 1988 as the Thomas Fund Board; when $600,000 was bequeathed to the Town of Virden in memory of Murray Thomas, and his wife Jean. With the advice from Winnipeg and Killarney foundations, the Virden Area Foundation Inc. was formed in 1992. The foundation’s first grants were dispersed in 1993.
Since then, over 300 grants, totaling $1,020,095.66, have been given to charities, foundations, and groups in Virden and area. The Virden Area Foundation Inc. also awards two scholarships yearly to two Virden students for $1,000 each.
The now, Tundra Oil & Gas Arena, has received the largest of all the grants awarded to date. A cheque for $150,000 was granted to the Virden Regional Multi-Purpose Recreation Facility in 2010; the funds aided in the construction of the arena complex Even earlier, in 1994, a cheque for $40,000 was given to the Virden Community Recreation Centre and was used towards the waterslide at the pool. In 2005 $25,000 was donated to the Virden & District Health Auxiliary towards a central monitoring system.
The foundation, particularly board member Alex Renard, is working with a Virden Collegiate Institution teacher on a project “Youth in Philanthropy” (YIP) . The start date of this project is set for September. The Virden Area Foundation Inc. intends on donating $3,500 yearly to the youth committee.
YIP is a volunteer youth advisory committee made up of students from who want to be actively involved in supporting their community’s vibrancy. With the support of adult advisors, each YIP works to raise money and build endowment funds, but primarily to make grants to projects in their local community. Because they are best placed to understand the needs and concerns of other youth in our communities, it’s a good fit for advising their local community foundation on youth grant-making.
The Virden and Area Foundation currently has ten members: Pam McLeod – Chairperson, Doug Heritage – Vice Chairperson, Fran Bayliss – Secretary, Shiela Byers – Treasurer, Glenda Hayward, Glen Grieve, Alex Renard, Michelle Piwniuk, Ray Cochrane, and Foster Whyte; and staff Teresa Markarchuk – Community Relations Officer.
