The CAMROSE BOOSTER, May 20, 2014 – Page 4
MS Bike Tour checks in at CRE June 7, 8
Community advisors add another $16,200 to BRCF administrative endowment fund
By Murray Green
This year’s edition of the MS Bike Tour will be travelling from Leduc to Camrose and back on June 7 and 8. The bikers leave Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers at 7:30 a.m. and travel about 185 kilometres over the two days. You can still join the 2014 Johnson MS Bike Tour – one of Canada’s largest MS Bike events. Beginning in Nisku, you can cycle along scenic rural roads between Leduc and Camrose. Checkpoints will be stocked with food and beverages. In case you break down, volunteers will provide mechanical support and first aid to keep you safe. Upon arriving at the Camrose Regional Exhibition Grounds you can enjoy a massage, dinner, beer gardens, dancing and an inspiring evening program. You can camp right on site at the CRE. Wake up for a hearty breakfast Sunday morning before heading back to Nisku. Indulge in a packed finish line barbecue with your supporters and celebrate your accomplishment. Bikers are encouraged to make it a team event by bringing friends, family and coworkers. For more information regarding accommodations contact tour organizers at 780463-1190 or 1-800268-7582.
Community advisors who made donations to Battle River Community Foundation’s administrative endowment fund last week are: (left to right, front) Dave Chamberlain, Sun Life; Norm Mayer, Central Agencies; Cindy Cook, RBC Investments; Janice Zimmerman, H&R Block; Holly Weiler, BMO; Karen Busch, Scotiabank; Glen Bulger, Vision Credit Union; Garrett Sereda, BMO; (back row, left to right) Ken Drever, past chair of the BRCF; Dave Horner, Business First Financial Solutions; Greg Joyce, Kroeger Joyce; Brandon Kroeger, Kroeger Joyce; Larry Johnson, Knaut Johnson Francoeur; Grant Burgess, Grant Thornton; Grant Nahirniak, Investors Group - Edmonton; Doug Tien, Grant Thornton; Tim Vant, Camrose Capital Planning; Darren Daniels, Central Agencies; Wayne Throndson, Fielding & Company; Corey Kudrowich, Investors Group; Dan Cunningham, Camrose Insurance Services, The Co-operators; Jon Stolee, Farnham West Stolee; and Greg Wood, Harberg Nikiforuk Wood. Those who contributed but were unable to attend were: Scott Farnham, Farnham West Stolee; Mike Kelemen, Camrose Insurance Services, The Co-operators; Anna Harder, Anna Harder CGA; Linda Norman, Linda Norman Professional Corporation; Lawrence Dufresne, Lawrence Dufresne CA; Larry Lewsaw, Kroeger Joyce; Brian Harberg, Harberg Nikiforuk Wood; Martin West, Farnham West Stolee; Debbie Orcheski, Orcheski Wealth Management BMO Nesbitt Burns; Brian Kroeger, Kroeger Financial; and Don Howden, Raymond James Ltd. By Dan Jensen
Camrose’s professional advisors added another $16,200 to the Battle River Community Foundation’s administrative endowment fund during a May 15 luncheon at the Camrose Heritage Railway Museum. “This is our best advisors’ luncheon ever with over thirty-four donors,” said BRCF board chair Blain Fowler in expressing appreciation to the advisors for the support. “We are humbled by your continued and growing support of this event and our mission. We thank you for your commitment to the cause.” Battle River Community Foundation’s goal is to see the administrative endowment fund earn enough interest to totally support the administrative budget so all of its fundraising efforts can be devoted to the community service account. The Foundation had $836,887 in the fund at the close of business in 2013. The total amount raised for the administrative endowment fund by the advi-
sors’ luncheon over its thirteen year history is nearly $171,000. Appeal for assistance
Fowler appealed to the advisors to assist with the evolution of the Battle River Community Foundation’s (regular) endowment funds, which totalled $9,251,347 at the close of business on December 31, 2013. “We are certain that when someone comes to you seeking advice on personal philanthropy that you will recommend consideration of the Battle River Community Foundation,” he said. Battle River Community Foundation has set a goal of reaching $10,000,000 in endowments by the end of this year. “Each member of our board is tasked with going out and raising $25,000 before the end of the year by knocking on doors, telling our story and encouraging others to buy into our vision,” said Fowler. “We have two Community Builders’ dinners scheduled for this fall, one in Camrose and one in Killam.” Battle River Community
Foundation received $797,132 from 660 unique donors in 2013, one being Zetsen Master Builders, which gave more than $100,000 after completing a charity build. Wise use of funds
The funds BRCF receives from community minded individuals to create endowments are invested with the Edmonton Community Foundation, which now has total endowments of some $300 million managed by ten individual investment firms. “With the earnings from our endowments we allocate one per cent to our own administration, top up all funds in accordance with the change in the cost price index in the province of Alberta in the previous year, and then pass on the balance in accordance with the donors’ wishes,” said Fowler, adding that earnings on investments in 2013 totalled $1,303,129.55.” Battle River Community Foundation has granted a total of $2,297,514 in its 18 year history, including $563,777 last year to worthwhile projects throughout the geography it serves.
Options for investing
Battle River Community Foundation is able to receive and issue receipts for a wide variety of assets, including cash, securities or insurance as current gifts or as part of an estate plan. “One avenue with which we have been enjoying a fair amount of success lately has been the conversion of obsolete life insurance policies to the benefit of the Foundation,” said Fowler. “Rather than dropping a policy that is no longer required to provide for a family or obligation, individuals can change the beneficiary to the Foundation and reap tax benefits in a variety of ways.” The Foundation also offers the benefits of pooled investments regarding fees and returns and whatever level of anonymity or recognition is preferred. The Battle River Community Foundation serves an area that stretches from Camrose west to Gwynne, south to Bashaw and Alliance, east to Hughenden and north to Highway 14.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS FUNDRAISER
Murray Green, Camrose Booster
The Staples Awareness kickoff for Special Olympics in Camrose was launched with a barbecue on May 10. Mayor Norm Mayer and manager Tony Metivier of the Camrose Staples store went up on a lift to encourage people to support this worthwhile cause. Camrose Special Olympics athletes, from left to right, Dennis Sturrock, Nicole Wegden, Dustin Lindberg, Chris Hoecherl and Jessica Enns explained to Staples customers about the local programs.