The Drayton Valley Community Foundation has been a part of the community for 20 years.
For the first 14 years the Foundation was guided by the steadfast hand of a volunteer board and a volunteer Executive Director. In 2009 the Community Foundation employed an Executive Director first on a part-time basis and then on a full time basis. As the Foundation continues to grow so do operations. Through generous donations both in-kind and financial the Community Foundation has been able to keep operation costs low.
By donating to the General Operating Endowment Fund your donation will help in supporting the operation of this community based organization from now until eternity. Your donation is never spent but the interest generated will help with the day to day operating expenses of the Community Foundation:
The Joneson Family first moved to Tomahawk April 1922 driving a team and a wagon from Chipman, Alberta. Levi and Stella Joneson settled on a quarter section West of Tomahawk at that time Levi had, seven horse, a sulky plow, disc, harrows, two wagons and fifteen dollars in his pocket. Not long after their only son Henry was born. Henry started in registered Polled Shorthorn cattle in 1957. Over the years the Joneson family farm grew and 1972 the Jonesons bought the J.A. Buchanan far; expanding their total acreage to 960 acres.
In the early eighties Henry met his wife Jane. Jane moved up from the United States to be with Henry. She was a school teacher by trade and would later become the principal of Lindale School.
Henry was predeceased by his wife and died shortly after. The legacy Henry and his wife Jane leaves is, the one his family has built in Tomahawk. The Henry and Jane Joneson Endowment Fund is a designated fund with grant to serve the Community of Tomahawk.
Amy Blais was an active member of the community when she was suddenly stricken with cancer. The Blais Family established this fund in her memory in November 1996 with the interest being forwarded to the Cross Cancer Research. A community inspiration – her memory lives on.
A fund established in 2009 in memory of Rob Feddema Sr.
Our daughter Lindsay Ann Gray left us January 25 ,2007 in a tragic vehicle accident at the age of 22 years. The out pouring of generosity and love from family, friends and acquaintances was moving. Many included with their sympathy card a monetary donation to go where our family would like. I was given Jeanette Vatter’s name as a contact with the Community Foundation.
Several months had passed and I met with Jeanette as she had some ideas on where we could donate the funds in Lindsay’s name. Jeanette and I met in her office and one project was the Irente Orphanage in the town of Lushoto, Tanzania. I had explained to Jeanette that the week after Lindsay had died she was making a trip to Kenya to volunteer with a group that would be visiting several orphanages.
Jeanette described that Irente House was an orphanage for babies and children up to the age of two, whose families could no longer care at that time but with hopes of being reunited. The orphanage had built a building that they hoped to use as a school to educate the young ladies that helped care for the children. Jeanette and I discussed donating the money in Lindsays memory to this building to finish & equip it with desks , school uniforms for the girls etc.
I wanted to discuss this with Dean and see what he thought. So Jeanette proceeded to print a picture of the building for me. I must admit she was muttering to herself about her copier not working again. She printed the picture and the picture had printed out completely in PINK. What I hadn’t shared with you up to this point was that Lindsay’s favorite color was pink. She didn’t just like it, she loved it. Her car was even pink. So here I have in my hands this beautiful pink picture and Jeanette asking if she should print another? Absolutely not!
That was all it took, we had Lin’s blessing. The group from the Irente Orphanage gave us a lasting gift of naming the building Lindsay’s House. They even painted the class room pink. Dean and I along with some family went to Lushoto in 2009 and presented them with a picture of Linday which hangs in the class room today.
The community Foundation has been a wonderful vehicle for us to continue to contribute to the Irente Orphange as well as support our own community. We truly appreciate the guidance and compassion they have given us. Helping to keep our daughters memory alive. Monies from this Fund will be granted to Lindsay’s House in Lushoto.
We sincerely thank your generosity and kindness: Dean, Susan Gray and Family
This fund will provide local persons, families or organizations with financial relief during a time of crisis. Established December 12, 2012
The Fund will provide financial assistance to international communities in need. Established December 12, 2012
In 2014 this fund granted $3029.74 to the Awaso Canadian Academy Foundation for the purchase of a plow to aid in the farming development that will come to support the students of the Awaso Canadian Academy.
Funds with gifts directed to specific need in an important area of the community:Education
The Eugene “Dene” Meraw fund was established by Kathleen Meraw as a legacy & tribute to her husband, affectionatly known as Dene. He worked in the oilfield and was an owner of Meraw & McGee Well Servicing.
Kay noted the interest her husband had in education. He was one of the founders of the St. Anthony Catholic School and served on the Board for over 18 years. He was a family man and knew the importance of educating his children.In 2012, $1600 was granted from the Dene Meraw Fund to St. Anthony School Reading Program.
The Education and Scholarship Fund will assist local students with their education by way of scholarship or in education programming. Established December 12, 2012.
In 2013 this fund granted $5575 toward educational pursuits for local students.
In 2014 this fund granted $750 to the Pembina Crisis Connection Society to assist with the delivery of their programming surrounding Bullying Awareness Week in schools in November.
The Jennifer Mulligan Fund was established by The Mulligan Family in November 1999 in memory of their daughter. This fund is designed specifically to help students requiring academic assistance – her memory lives on by “Helping the Youth of Tomorrow”.
The General Community Endowment Fund is an unrestricted fund where monies donated can be used to meet ever changing community needs. During the granting process we evaluate all aspects of community well-being- arts and culture, education, environment , health and social services, and youth. The flexibility of the unrestricted fund and gift going to this fund it that it makes the Community Foundation possible to respond to the community’s most pressing needs, today and tomorrow.
