Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation

There would be no one more disappointed that the Bob Jefferson Memorial Golf Tournament presented by IG Wealth Management was missing from the 2020 calendar, than the tourney’s namesake himself. Bobby J was a man who enjoyed a good party and, more importantly, he was steadfast in his commitment to fundraising for the Selkirk and District Community Foundation through his annual tournament.

Annual tournament in memory of Bobby J postponed to 2021Michael Buhr, Senior Financial Consultant with Buhr Blaylock and Associates, IG Private Wealth Management, said as much as Bob would have been disappointed he would have agreed that postponing was the right move. “Obviously Bob’s commitment to the community is legendary and his commitment to the Foundation is indisputable,” Buhr said. “Certainly, if Bob was still around and the tournament wasn’t on, he would still personally write his cheque which he did every year and I believe everybody would agree with that.”

Jefferson, a lifelong Selkirk resident and one of the city’s biggest cheerleaders, passed away in December 2013. His annual golf tournament had been raising funds for the Selkirk and District Community Foundation since 1998 and had topped more than $90,000 at the time of his passing.As of last year,it had raised just over $135,000. Jefferson ran the tournament through his Century 21 Real Estate company, and after his death, IG Wealth took over and continued it in Jefferson’s memory.The tournament was postponed this year until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Buhr said it wasn’t a tough decision to put the tournament off, for a couple of reasons –concern for everyone’s safety, and concern for supporters who’ve already been hit hard by the pandemic.

“The reason why it wasn’t (a tough decision) was we didn’t know what social distancing rules would be in place, I mean you can’t decide two weeks in advance you’re going to go ahead with it; we had to make this decision a few months ago,” Buhr said. “And, there are some of our sponsors and supporters who had to close their businesses or were off work for weeks or months, and to go to them and ask them if they could help us out I just didn’t feel was fair. So actually,it was an easy decision to take a rest for the year.”

Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson, a close friend of Bobby J’s, said he knows Bob would be thrilled if those who are able could make a donation in his name even though there isn’t a tournament this year.“That would put a big smile on Bob’s face,” Johannson said. “Everyone knows that Bobby J loved Selkirk and he loved this tournament. Postponing until next year was the right thing to do, and Bob would agree with that, but he’d be very grateful if people would make a donation in his memory this year.”

Buhr agreed. “Just because we’re not able to have the tournament this year and recognizing that there’s been many economic challenges to people in our community, for those that are able, any contribution in Bob’s memory would be celebrated and appreciated.

”If you’d like to donate to the SDCF in Bob’s honour you can do so by making an online donation at endowmanitoba.ca and clicking on ‘Make a Gift to My Foundation’. Or you can call the SDCF (204-785-9755) and someone will assist you with your donation.

Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation

strong winds blew away shelters set up at Betel Home in Selkirk to accommodate visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, they also whisked away precious family time for residents. But all the huffing and puffing Mother Nature can muster won’t be able toblow down the new shelter erected thanks to a grant from the Selkirk and District Community Foundation through the Emergency Community Support Fund, funded by the Government of Canada.

“We got the new shelters built and they’re perfect,” said Betel Recreation Director Matt Mutcheson.“We have them all set up now, the residents love them, and thefamilies love them. Even if it’s raining we can continue to have our visits outside, if it’s 30 degrees and the sun beating down, wecan have visits outside because they’re well protected now.”The home was on lock down for about two months dueto COVID-19 and Mutcheson said the outdoor space was really the only chance people had to visit.

“We had originally purchased some shelters and with all the big winds that we had those didn’t last long, they got torn up and battered and blew away,” hesaid.“After that happened we were without shelters for quite a while.”

After two months of absolutely no visitors it was important that family members could connect with their loved ones again. When the original shelters were ruined, Mutcheson said they tried to have outside visits without shelter and asked visitors to bring umbrellas and hats to help shield residents from the hot sun. But now, the new shelter is in place and it’s a hit. Immediate Release August 21, 2020–When strong winds blew away shelters set up at Betel Home in Selkirk to accommodate visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, they also whisked away precious family time for residents. But all the huffing and puffing Mother Nature can muster won’t be able to blow down the new shelter erected thanks to a grant from the Selkirk and District Community Foundation through the Emergency Community Support Fund, funded by the Government of Canada.Betel Home residents are able to visit with family members again under new shelters erected outside the building.

“It’s secure, it’s anchored to the cement, it’s a good size so it’s been perfect for us. ”No longer on lock down, Betel is allowing some visitors, but Mutcheson said only those providing care to their loved ones, such as meal assistance or emotional support, are allowed inside. “There’s very few that are coming in, most are continuing to visit outside,” he said.“Most of them respect that COVID is still around and it’s best if they stay outside of the building, it’s the safest for everybody.”

Aaron Martyniw said being able to help provide grant dollars through the Canada Emergency Community Support Fund has proven crucial to many charities and non-profits serving vulnerable populations.

“The shelter at Betel Home is a perfect example of the good this funding does,” Martyniw said. “With the Emergency Community Support Fund and the Community Foundations of Canada we were able to bring families together during the pandemic and that’s a real feel good story that everyone at the Foundation is proud to be part of.”

In total, six projects shared in $40,000 in funding, including$3,950 for Betel’s shelter and $1,000 for a portable oxygen generator;$10,000 for Nova House for an outdoor play and learn space; $10,000 for tablets for Inclusion Selkirk;$750 for communication support for Canadian National Institute for the Blind; $10,000 to help the Selkirk Food Bank, who was supported in its application by the City of Selkirk, to provide safe and continued food distribution during and beyond COVID 19 pandemic; and $4,300 for Growing Years Family Resource Centre, supported in its application by Selkirk Friendship Centre, to provide food security and personal health/hygiene items for vulnerable families with children between ages zero to six.

Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation

Lifelong Selkirk resident Brian Gilhuly died in September 2017 and made the kindest of gestures when he left the Selkirk and District Community Foundation one of the largest willed donations it had ever received.

Part of that donation was a set of gemstones and those very stones were up for auction. The online auction, hosted by Kaye’s Auction House, ran from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, and while that in itself is not unique, the items for sale and the journey they’ve taken to get there certainly are.

“It’s an incredible story when you think about it,” said Bev Clegg, Executive Director of the SDCF. “Mr. Gilhuly was a private man who cared deeply about his community and made the decision to make an amazing gift which included these gemstones. People often think that money is the only gift you can make to the Foundation, but this shows there are many ways you can contribute.”Long-time friend and neighbour Jean Oliver said Brian was a dedicated sports fan –golf was his favourite along with his cherished Winnipeg Blue Bombers –and he cared deeply about his community. His grandfather owned and operated Gilhuly’s Drug Store on Eveline Street for years; his father became a pharmacist as well and took over the family business.

The store is still there today as Super Thrifty. Mr. Gilhuly became an accountant.“The stones were of obvious sentiment to Brianand it’s heartwarming that he would entrust them to the Foundation with the knowledge that they would one day contribute to the betterment of his home town,” Oliver said.The SDCF held an auction for an extensive collection of sports memorabilia willed to it by the late Bob Jefferson. Bobby J –as he was known far and wide –had a collection of sports jerseys, photos and everything and anything that was adorned by a team logo from the Winnipeg Jets to the Detroit Red Wings.

“We have an incredible community and there’s so many people who consider us in their day to day lives and those who make a gift as part of their estate,” Clegg said.“These stones that will be up for auction tell a story, that there’s so many different ways to give and to support your community. All of us at the Foundation are honoured to be a part of this journey and to ensure that Mr. Gilhuly’s wish to support his home community in perpetuity is granted. We appreciate his gift and his enduring desire for a better community.”

For more information or to participate in the online auction, visit kayesauctions.com