The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta is grateful to have received a generous donation from Vern and Joan Simaluk to establish the Redcliff Legacy Fund. The original donation to this fund is never spent, rather, the investment income earned each year will be distributed back to initiatives that will directly benefit the citizens of Redcliff.
“I grew up in the town of Redcliff and have always appreciated the sense of community and belonging – that we were all in the same boat and looked after each other. Even in my youth, I always thought that I wanted to come back and help build opportunities for young people here”. -Vern Simaluk
Chris Christie, Interim Executive Director, presents Vern and Joan Simaluk with Heritage Club pins.
Vern kept that promise initially in 2000 when his Golden Group of friends established the Redcliff Scholarship Fund for Advanced Education. Keeping true to his word, Vern, with his wife Joan, have once again taken the lead by making the initial donation to establish the Redcliff Legacy Fund.
The Redcliff Legacy Fund prioritizes grant funding for the Redcliff community including:
- Programs that support youth, the elderly, and the severely disadvantaged
- Arts and Culture programs
- Education (including the Redcliff Scholarship Fund that Vern Simaluk also helped initiate); and
- Cost-sharing with the Town of Redcliff and other funders on a major/capital project that supports the Donor’s priorities
Joan and Vern Simaluk sign the Redcliff Legacy Fund agreement in the presence of Chris Christie, Interim Executive Director
As an open endowment fund held within the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta, donations to the Redcliff Legacy Fund can be made by anyone. Donations over $25 are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
“Thank you, Vern and Joan, for establishing the Redcliff Legacy Fund. Your foresight will have a tremendous positive impact on the residents of Redcliff for decades to come! We hope this fund will appeal to many donors who have appreciated Redcliff as their home. “ – Chris Christie, CFSEA Interim Executive Director