In 2012, Bruce Burrows lost his wife, Laurie, to acute myeloid leukemia. Laurie had received her diagnosis in early February of that year, but her valiant fight against the aggressive form of cancer ended too soon, in March. A year after her passing, family and friends expressed a desire to keep Laurie’s zest for life […]
Oakville Community Foundation celebrates 30 years, planting 300 trees
By Ben Brown- Originally published on Oakville News The Oakville Community Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary on May 30, 2024, planting 300 trees with Oakvillegreen at Valleyridge Park. Among those in attendance were Acting Mayor Marc Grant, Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) CEO Wendy Rinella, and Oakvillegreen President Karen Brock. As a 360-degree granting organization, the […]
Meet James Hodgson, Owner of Nish Tees and maker of the Debwewin Oakville t-shirts!
James Hodgson is the owner of Nish Tees and the designated t-shirt supplier in support of Debwewin: The Oakville Truth Project. A member of the Anishinaabe Loon Clan, James has a special connection to Oakville and understands the importance of recognizing the original inhabitants of the land we call home. As an Indigenous ward of […]
Why Blair and Sharon Richardson chose to create a Bequest Fund with The Foundation
When Blair and Sharon Richardson were in the process of revising their Will, they sat down with their two kids to have a talk about what they were thinking of doing: creating a Bequest Fund with the Oakville Community Foundation. They wanted to leave their kids some money but also wanted to continue to give […]
Remembering Gerry Wilson
“We were all fortunate and better off for knowing her” Lisa Helsdon recalls her mother with great fondness, love and wistfulness. There are both tears and laughter when she speaks about the woman who she describes as generous, fun loving and a great humanitarian as well as a beloved mother and grandmother. Gerry Wilson passed […]
Oakville-based Windmill Microlending recipient shares her experience
Megan Badenhorst moved from South Africa to Oakville in January 2020 with her family and a plan; to get settled, to requalify in Ontario as a lawyer and to be back in legal practice within a year. What she didn’t account for was the global COVID-19 pandemic that locked down the province, delaying and cancelling […]


