More than a dozen local charities were the beneficiary of a staggering $22.5 million in money donated by the Weber Foundation during an event at the Midland Cultural Centre Tuesday afternoon.
The list of charities included:
* Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe - $250,000
* CLH Foundation - $2,000,000
* Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre - $500,000
* Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation - $3,333,333
* Huronia Transition Homes (Rosewood) - $500,000
* Midland Cultural Centre - $2,000,000
* Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation - $3,333,333
* Royal Victoria Regional Health Care Foundation - $3,333,333
* Salvation Army - $500,000
* Shelter Now - $4,000,000
* Warm & Cozy Children’s Charity - $250,000
* Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre (Friends of Wye Marsh) - $500,000
* YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka - $2,000,000
The day was also a celebration of philanthropist Reinhart Weber.
When asked how he felt having impacted so many lives, Weber simply said: “I feel good about it.”
To the knowledge of the Weber Foundation, the announcement was one of the largest, single-day, single-donor philanthropic giftings made in Central Ontario to date.
Leading up to the cheque presentations was a brief biography of the philanthropist from host Fred Hacker. He garnered special applause from the 250 attendees when it was noted that Weber had emigrated from his homeland of Germany to Canada, landing on the soil 70 years ago to the day.
Previous recipients of the generosity of the Weber Foundation took turns at the podium to share how the lives of the community had changed for the better due to the kindness of Weber and the foundation.
Weber took to the stage, sharing that he had a script but would instead speak from the heart.
“The potential here is so great,” said Weber. “It takes an unbelievable amount of labour, love, and money. With the money … we are going to supply some,” he added to the laughter of the attendees.
Each recipient received a handshake and a large cheque beneath the projection of their amount. Following the third of the three hospital donations, Weber was asked to hold a cheque which reaffirmed that $10 million had been gifted to the three facilities.
“The Weber Foundation has had a profound impact on health care across our region over the past 20 years,” said Matthew Lawson, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Georgian Bay General Hospital.
He added: “This gift of $10-million, shared between GBGH, OSMH and RVH, will continue to transform the lives of patients at our hospitals for years to come, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to be included in the legacy of The Weber Foundation," said Lawson.
That was a sentiment echoed by Jill Tettmann, CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.
"Today's generous gift from the Weber Foundation will continue to ignite the potential in the lives of youth in Midland and at YMCA Camp Kitchikewana, providing transformative leadership experiences for years to come," Tettmann said.
Established in 1997 by Reinhart and Alexandra Weber, the Weber Foundation had donated more than $28 million to local charities over the past 27 years. Such donations included the Midland Cultural Centre, which provided nearly all of the $11 million locally-funded construction costs for the facility, and the Hartog House and Weber House construction costs for supportive housing.
“Mr. Weber feels it’s time to begin to wind down the foundation,” Hacker said, “so tonight we’re donating $22.5 million to 13 local charities.
“This is a very significant evening, and frankly I’m most excited for my friend Reinhart Weber. This is a culmination of a long lifetime of giving and caring, so tonight we’re going to pay tribute to Reinhart but we’re also going to pay tribute to his generosity.”
Hacker told the crowd that since the foundation was beginning to wind down its philanthropy, some recipients would have funds set aside and invested by the Weber Foundation for them to ensure they would receive annual support.
To conclude the event, Reinhart was asked to return on stage for a surprise, being given a large seat as he was serenaded by Holly Archer’s rendition of My Way by Frank Sinatra, after which he was given an additional standing ovation.
