Windsor – The Essex Region Conservation Foundation celebrated its donors and supporters at its Annual General Meeting on March 27.
“There’s no question that thanks to our partners and supporters, 2018 was a fantastic year,” said Susan Stockwell Andrews, President of the Foundation. “After launching our 3-year Place for Life fundraising campaign in June 2017, I’m delighted to share that thanks to all of you, more than $800,000 of the $1million goal has been pledged.”
Stockwell Andrews went on to recognize the University of Windsor Alumni Association, Enwin Utilities, Enbridge Inc, the Friends of the John R. Park Homestead, Swim Drink Fish and the W. Garfiled Weston Foundation, Caesars Windsor Cares and the Solcz Family Foundation as just some of the many partners and donors investing in projects to make the region’s environment more sustainable.
The Chase family was recognized with the 2018 Clifford Hatch Award for Outstanding Individual Contributions. In 2017, they created the Dennis B. Chase Smile Smile Walk at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area to honour the memory of their husband and father and support greening efforts in the region. Dennis was a valued member of Essex Region Conservation Authority staff for more than two decades.
In just two years since the event launched, the family has raised nearly $22,000 through their significant efforts.
“Our family decided to create the Dennis B. Chase Smile Walk to continue Dennis’ legacy of optimism and conservation, and to make our corner of the world a bit brighter and greener,” said Jeannette Chase. “We are very excited to support tree planting while honouring an incredible husband, father, friend and conservationist.”
The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) was presented the Essex Region Conservation Foundation Award for Outstanding Corporate Contribution, in recognition of its longstanding partnership in helping to make our region the Place for Life. In addition to supporting many environmental projects over the years, the Club served as the lead donor to the Place for Life campaign, with a remarkable contribution to create the Rotary (1918) Centennial Hub. This critically important section of trail bring our community’s long-time vision of a region connected by trails to reality, and serves as a legacy of the Club’s 100th year of service.
“What a true gift to the community that will allow us all to connect with nature and each other for generations to come,” said Stockwell Andrews. “Rotarians truly live their motto of service above self.”
Since 1977, the Essex Region Conservation Foundation has been enriching our region as the Place for Life.
