We’re not even into December, but that didn’t stop the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation from playing Santa Claus.
A cheque presentation to celebrate the first round of donations from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation to local organizations took place at Banff Elementary School on Wednesday (Oct. 30). Student representatives and school principal Dean Irvine were present to accept a $10,000 donation for Banff Elementary, with funds going towards programs such as mountain living and young naturalists.
Students at Banff Community High School will also receive a donation of $15,000 for outdoor education programming, while a donation of $5,000 is also being made to the Banff Child Care Centre.
“The intent of this is giving back to the community and getting kids and students outside – living in the mountains and the mountain life,” Irvine said on the donation. “We’re ecstatic about the donation. We are pleased and honoured and privileged that we have someone in the community who is supporting the growth of students and kids who live in this community and continue to have that partnership with them – it’s just nice to have that support from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation.”
According to the newly-launched foundation, the goal, “is to support projects that contribute to a more active, vibrant and happy community of Banff.”
Wim and Nancy Pauw, of Banff Lodging Company (Banff Caribou Properties) had a desire to give back to a community where they have had success and feel fortunate.
“Wim and Nancy Pauw built their business here, built their lives here and really wanted to give back to the community and this is one of the first opportunities to do just that,” said Cathy Geisler, Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation fund director. “The foundation is just up and running, but we did do a donation after the flood through the Banff Community Foundation in summer, but other than that this is the first time we’ve committed donations to local organizations.”
The Pauw Foundation’s goal is to partner with community organizations that wish to create opportunities for all residents and connect people with Banff’s mountain environment.
For more information, contact fund director Cathy Geisler, at [email protected].
