Wednesday, October 19, 2016
COQUITLAM – The Coquitlam Foundation and the Friends of Mundy Park Heritage Society have established a new donor-advised fund designed to support projects and activities promoting or enhancing the conservation of the Coquitlam park system’s crown jewel, Mundy Park.
Seeded with an initial contribution of $15,000, which the Friends accumulated through its annual Christmas-tree-chipping program, the Friends of Mundy Park Heritage Society Fund will award grants or bursaries to an eligible student, educational institution or community organization residing or located in Coquitlam for projects supporting the fund’s aims.
A ceremony formalizing the establishment of the fund took place at Lost Lake on the east side of the 176-hectare park, one of the largest urban forests in the Lower Mainland.
“An important aim of the fund is to encourage children’s involvement in the park,” said Friends president Jack Trumley. “We hope the fund will allow future generations to enjoy the unique forest experience offered by the park—to discover the energizing effect a green space can have on a person. As naturalist Henry David Thoreau said, ‘I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.’” Friends treasurer Nancy Tinari added, “We can’t wait to get students involved.”
In noting that the fund is the foundation’s 24th donor-advised fund, foundation chair Janet Toddington said the Mundy Park fund epitomizes the foundation’s commitment to helping local individuals and organizations bring their charitable aspirations to life.
“We are honored to be able to continue to serve the community in so many meaningful ways,” says Toddington. “Whether it’s helping a group like the Friends of Mundy realize its philanthropic goals, or supporting students with grants and bursaries, we are extremely pleased that we continue to have a positive impact on Coquitlam.”
The Coquitlam Foundation manages $2.8 million in 29 foundation-directed and donor-advised funds. The foundation always welcomes donations to any of its donor-advised or foundation-directed funds, which can be made through its website, www.coquitlamfoundation.com. The Coquitlam Foundation is registered with Canada Revenue as a charitable organization, No. 890762347 RR0001.