It’s time to break out a new calendar, and we wonder where the year has gone. It has been a busy year for the Ladysmith Community Fund.
We were sorry to receive the resignation of director Laurel Lawson. Laurel stepped down from active involvement for personal reasons but stays in touch with us. We wish her well, and hope we may again draw on her considerable experience in community foundations in the future. LCFS has begun a search for new people to build the strength of our board, and add new expertise and enthusiasm.
As part of the not-for-profit community in Ladysmith, the Ladysmith Community Fund Society wanted to provide an opportunity for people thinking about volunteering, but were not sure where, with community organizations that rely on volunteers. In April, LCFS hosted a Volunteer Fair at Aggie Hall.The response to this event was very positive, and it was very rewarding to see those connections happening. Feedback for the event has suggested that we should run it again in 2025—we’ll keep you posted. Thanks to our Secretary Lynda Baker who organized the event, and to Ladysmith Rotary for their financial contribution, and Country Grocer for in-kind support.
We were very pleased to assist our partners at the Nanaimo Foundation in hosting an Estate Planning Seminar here in Ladysmith in November. Over thirty people registered for the seminar, and we quickly received lots of good feedback. Tammy Leslie, a familiar face at volunteer events in Ladysmith, and a partner in Palmer Leslie Chartered Accountants in Ladysmith, covered a range of topics for those who are planning an orderly exit—when the time comes. Tammy covered pitfalls to be avoided, and the pros and cons of various ways to minimize government taxes, and maximize tax receipts for charitable gifts as part of an estate plan.
Tracey Brown, Director of Philanthropy at the Nanaimo Foundation, also provided additional information on the opportunities for planned giving. This is more than just cash donations, and might include securities, insurance policies, real estate, and more. There was welcome input from participants, and our Vice-President Joan Phillips, a retired Notary Public, also contributed expert advice. The strong message throughout the seminar was to seek professional advice.
We plan to follow this seminar in the spring with a second session, featuring Ladysmith attorney Martin Sanderson, who will provide a more in-depth look at legal considerations around wills, executors, and powers of attorney.
2023 was the year we inaugurated our grants program, and we were able to do even more in 2024. After issuing a call for proposals, our Grants Committee decided to disburse our available revenue in three grants.
The Community Circles Restorative Justice Society received a grant of $600.00 to host workshops on how residents can address harm and conflict in their communities.
The Community Fund granted $300.00 to The Other Guise Theatre Company, for their evening of short plays presented by local professional performers, as part of a larger program to seek out and assist local emerging performers.
The Ladysmith First United Church was given a grant of $200.00 towards the renovation in the kitchen of the church hall—an important amenity for the parish, and one that is also used by many community groups in Ladysmith.
It’s a good feeling to know that the Ladysmith Community Fund is now established, and will continue to give grants in the community every year in perpetuity. We would, of course, like to be able to do more. To do that, we need to continue to build the fund. We are grateful to all our donors, and hope you will spread the word to others you know who may wish to join you in supporting us. For more information about how to donate to the Ladysmith Community Fund, please visit the donations page.
For those of you who are members of the Ladysmith Community Fund Society, it’s also time to renew your membership. If you have not yet officially become a member, we’d love to welcome you. Membership fees help us cover operating costs so we can continue to build the endowment fund.
We are very pleased to acknowledge the Ladysmith and District Credit Union as our first corporate member this year. LDCU has been a strong supporter from the very beginning.
For complete information about membership visit the “Join” page on our web site:
We’re looking forward to the days getting longer. It’s a sign of brighter days ahead, and a time to celebrate our good fortune. We wish you a happy and prosperous year ahead.
Regards,
Bruce Whittington
President