Community Makes You. You Make Your Community.
The above seems a simple statement, but it’s true. In fact, many people say you get out of your community what you put into it.
The above is also the simple message at the heart of a new “anthem to community” campaign to be delivered by 191 members of the Community Foundations of Canada across the country. The campaign’s goal: to celebrate the way our communities shape who we are, and to recognize the role we have in giving back to those communities.
The campaign will introduce Canadians to dedicated citizens from those communities and in the Bow Valley, Banff Community Foundation Chairman Carsten Sorensen is one of many.
“I think it’s a great project,” he said. “It puts faces to the names of foundation members and celebrates members of the community who do so much.”
Sorensen has been a member of the Banff Community Foundation since its inception as part of a Millennium project; in one capacity or another. Currently BCF chairperson, he said the local foundation, “started with a strong board at the time, which got it off to a good start. It’s a real treat for me to give back to the community.”
Giving back to the community comes naturally for Sorensen, as his parents led the way in setting an example. His parents helped out with the Legion and were credit union board members. “They always helped out and volunteered and when you grow up with that, I think it’s a natural transition. My mom still works with seniors.
“For myself, when my kids were in daycare, I was on the board. I’ve sat as a member and president of Rotary and I’ve coached various teams in hockey and basketball at the high school.”
Sorensen alludes to a Churchill quote as one he embraces – “You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.”
“In Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Lake Louise … there are many, many people that volunteer and so many people in our communities give their time, and money, to causes.”
Ian Bird, president of Community Foundations of Canada, said, “We want to ignite the passion we know Canadians feel for their communities. We’re not asking for anything except awareness – and hopefully engagement.
“This campaign has been powered by community champions every step of the way – it’s remarkable how many people have contributed to this launch. Hundreds of people have already donated their time, lent their voice, and told their story to help us remind Canadians about the reciprocal relationship we all have with our communities.”
The Community Foundations of Canada manage more than $3.3 billion in assets and invested more than $143 million in Canadian communities in 2012 alone.
