The first luncheon of the fall session was held on Wednesday, September 16 at The Gates on Roblin.  Once again, the chefs at The Gates are to be commended for the delicious lunch.

At the start of the luncheon, Ray Louie presented the Certificates of Scholarship to this year’s three recipients.

Even with the challenges facing the graduating class of 2020, the Chamber still received several applications for our Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Scholarships.  All applicants are to be congratulated and all were deserving of receiving the scholarships.  It was a very difficult decision for the Scholarship Selection Committee to have to only select three!

Tristan Mackid graduated with Honours from  Westwood Collegiate.  Tristan received the Westwood Drama Cash Award, took part in the student council, curling, golf and film club, served as the Open House speaker and the Youth Meth Symposium school rep.  Tristan has started several businesses, including a window-washing business, roadside vegetable stand and a tape-to-digital video business.  He is also employed part-time at Breezy Bend Country Club.  Tristan has been an active volunteer, giving his time to the Cheer Board hamper assembly, Children’s Hospital Ice Crystal Gala, the CancerCare production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat as well as working at the Headingley Recreation Association canteen and being a flag football assistant coach.  He is studying management and entrepreneurship at the U of M Asper School of Business.  Tristan is a resident of Headingley.

Alyssa Moon graduated on the Honour Roll from St. Mary’s Academy.  She received the Bob Richie Award for Academic, Leadership and Community Involvement and took part in the Yearbook Club, Mission Club, Track team and Leadership Council.  She served, and is still serving, as the Senior Editor of the St. Mary’s Yearbook and also emceed the St. Mary’s 150th birthday event.  She also works part-time at Shelmerdine Garden Centre and T & T Seeds.  Alyssa has volunteered for many years with the Winnipeg Optimist Athletics Club Track and Cross Country,  been a minor hockey timekeeper for 4 years, helped with the Winnipeg Harvest Food Drive for 3 years, been an assistant coach for Special Olympics Track for the past 2 years and has  been involved with the Headingley Fire Department Run for Wishes.  Although she originally planned to attend the UND College of Business and Public Administration and run track at the NCAA Division One level, due to COVID-19, she is at the U of M and has applied to the Asper School of Business.   Alyssa is a resident of Headingley and the daughter of Steve Moon, owner and President of King’s Services, a Chamber business member.

Alyssa Wiebe also graduated on the Honour Roll from Westwood Collegiate.  She received the St. James Assiniboia School Board Cash Award, was part of the Grad Committee and Westwood Gym Riot and served as the 2020 Grad Committee Treasurer.  Alyssa works part-time at The Gates on Roblin as a banquet server, hostess and service assistant.  Alyssa has been very active in the Ukrainian Dance community.  She has participated in the Manitoba Ukrainian Dance Festival for 6 years, the Canadian National Ukrainian Dance Festival for 3 years, and has danced for multiple years at the Ukrainian Pavilion at Folklorama.  For the past 10 years, Alyssa has been a dancer and assistant dance teacher at Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School.  She participates in the Spruce Up The School event at St. Charles Catholic School on an annual basis.  She is studying education at the U of W Integrated Education Program, Faculty of Education.  Alyssa is a resident of Headingley.

The Headingley Chamber of Commerce has been able to present scholarships to our youth for over 20 years.  The amount of the scholarship has grown from one $100 scholarship  to the current 3 –  $1,000 scholarships.  In latter years, the scholarships have been funded from the proceeds of the Annual Headingley Community Golf Tournament.  Although our tournament had to be cancelled this year, we were still able to grant the three scholarships due in part to the generosity of The Gates on Roblin and Fast Plumbing & Heating.  Their continued support and sponsorship of the scholarships is gratefully appreciated.  Both companies have been major sponsors of the scholarship at the golf tournament in past years as well.

The featured guest speaker was Paul Franzmann.  Paul is the Treasurer of the Headingley Community Foundation.  The HCF was established as a registered charity on August 28, 2015.  The goal was to be able to support causes and agencies within Headingley.  By giving to the community, it helps to improve and sustain the community, thereby benefitting all residents and the community’s future.

The HCF is managed by the Winnipeg Foundation.  For a very modest less-than-1% management and administrative fee, the Headingley Foundation receives an almost 8% return on 5-years and an almost 9% return on 10 years.  The Winnipeg Foundation manages over $900 million in funds from their own Foundation and several community Foundations.  Currently, there are six different funds managed by the HCF.  There are 3 dedicated funds where the grants are designated funds and will be directed to a specific area, such as the Headingley Chamber of Commerce Youth Scholarship Fund.  The other two designated funds are the Headingley Library fund and the Charleswood Kinsmen Fund.  The other undesignated funds have flexibility to grant money to other causes.

The HCF has been able to support several community non-profit organizations.  Grants have been allocated to Bright Beginnings Child Care, Grand Trunk Trail Association, Headingley Historical Society, Headingley Library, Headingley Phoenix Recreation Centre, Headingley Senior Services and Jim’s Vintage Garages, Headingley Heritage Centre.

Through the continued growth of the Foundation, they are able to help many community organizations each year.  Any non-profit community organization may apply for a grant.  A committee will review all applications to ensure they qualify and meet the required criteria.  The grants for these applications will come from one of the undesignated funds.

Why support the Headingley Community Foundation?  Your donations will help build a strong community  and support local recreational, social and family needs that are not always otherwise funded.  You will also have access to a local work force and raise the profile of business in the community.

There are several ways to support the HCF.  Businesses or individuals can make a one-time donation, donate in memory of a lost loved one, contribute to an existing fund or, if there is sufficient need, create a new fund.  More information on the Headingley Foundation can be found by going to www.headingleyfoundation.ca