Couple donates $1M to hospital foundations
Longtime philanthropists Bob and Heather Williams, of real estate company Swancoat Investments, have donated $600,000 to the Health Sciences Centre's Operation Excellence campaign. It focuses on tech investments and facility upgrades.
The couple has also given $400,000 to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba's Better Futures campaign, which funds infrastructure improvements, programming and pediatric research.
SUPPLIED
'Heather and I have always been inspired by philanthropy and volunteering. We're lucky and excited to be able to donate this money to foundations that make a difference for so many people,' Bob Williams said in a release Wednesday.
'We know that the government can't do it all, but these foundations, who are on the front line, know how to make a positive difference in our health care.'
Bob and Heather's first donation to HSC was in 2007. Bob is a member of the HSC Foundation's Bannatyne Legacy Circle, a group of donors who include a gift to the foundation in their estate after they pass away.
Heather, a former nurse, was the past president of the Children's Hospital Guild of Manitoba and volunteers at Nearly New, a volunteer-run thrift store that donates all of its proceeds to the Children's Hospital.
'It's truly humbling to see how philanthropy can create change in our health-care system,' Stefano Grande, CEO of the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, said in the release.
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Jonathon Lyon, CEO of the HSC Foundation, said it is 'incredibly grateful' for the couple's support.
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