Windsor Spitfires Community Foundation Tops 200K in Funds Raised & Donated

Established in August of 2006, the Windsor Spitfires Community Foundation has supported charities, service organizations and social agencies in Windsor and Essex County under a simple but meaningful motto, "Enhancing Lives, Improving Our Community."

As it approaches its five-year anniversary, the foundation has surpassed the $200,000 mark in donations, thanks to the hard work of community volunteers dedicated to raising money for area charitable service providers. 

Organizations like the John McGivney Children's Centre, which provides a variety of services designed to help children with physical and mental disabilities reach their full potential, continues to benefit from money raised through events in the region's communities.

"These partnerships are critical. We can't do it alone," said Ilona Schentag, Director of Development at the JMCC. "The overwhelming generosity of the Windsor Spitfires Community Foundation is something we cherish. I can't even really put it into words. Seeing is believing what's happening here."

Some of the $203,547.96 the foundation has donated or helped raise to date has helped the JMCC directly offset capital costs related to upgrading service facilities.

Each year, the WSCF, in partnership with The Keg, supports a Christmas Dinner put on for families by Victim Services of Windsor & Essex County. 

VSWEC Co-ordinator Catherine Poisson says the event was a huge success this past holiday season.

"The day was truly magical. In the words of one family, 'I never thought I would be eating at The Keg, let alone have my only Christmas dinner their...and have my son getting a present I could not afford to buy him'." 

"This is a demonstration of what incredible things transpire when private and public agencies come together for the benefit of the community," Poisson added. 

Foundation Vice President Shannon Ricker says it's a result of community generosity and heart.  

“I’d like to thank everyone from the 10-year-old who has donated a five-dollar bill at a skate-a-thon, to ESHL’s 3-on-3 tournament, to the big corporations who have donated thousands of dollars to our foundation,” Ricker told windsorspitfires.com.  

The Windsor Spitfires Community Foundation is committed to continue partnering with the community in support of local charitable groups. New applications for assistance are encouraged. Remember, you must be a registered government charity in order to qualify for a Windsor Spitfires Foundation donation.

For more information on the Windsor Spitfires Community Foundation, to apply for funds, or to volunteer, visit windsorspitfiresfoundation.com.