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A Brief History and Mission of the CBCRFM – 2021 

The Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum (CBCRFM) is located at the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser Rivers, on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh. We strive to preserve and highlight the interrelated nature of Railway and Forestry industries in North Central BC as well as their impact on the local landscape and people. The CBCRFM has been able to grow and develop, in part with the support of The Prince George Community Foundation’s Endowment Fund.

The Museum grew from the efforts of six local residents who undertook the restoration of a wooden 1903 Russell railway snowplow, which belonged to Northwood Pulp and Timber Ltd and formerly the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE).  It was then discovered that there was a considerable amount of railway equipment of historical value that was about to be discarded by the Railways.  It also seemed that this equipment would be of interest to local residents and visitors alike, and there was sufficient community support for a railway museum.  

Since the CBCRFM’s incorporation on March 22nd 1983, our membership and assets have grown rapidly. We have seen many changes to the museum over the last decade, the addition of asphalt pathways, and ramps to heritage buildings assists in providing greater accessibility for visitors. The construction of a train playground adds another element of excitement for youth visiting the park. An Urban Orchard planted in 2015, consists of over one hundred fruit trees, and three hundred fruiting shrubs. This project fits nicely with the many gardens we have onsite, and dove broadly into why train stations would have had gardens. Much of the produce is donated to food shelters in Prince George, while some is enjoyed by visitors as they tour the park and facilities.

Until the early 2000s, apart from summer help the CBCRFM had no paid employees. Members performed all the work on a volunteer basis. Today, the CBCRFM has four permanent staff positions, and is still heavily reliant on support from our amazing volunteers. The support of the Prince George Community Foundation and endowment fund assists the CBCRFM to continue moving forward in our objectives, and continues to be an organization that provides meaningful, positive impact in the community of Prince George.

The CDC’s endowment fund with the Prince George Community Foundation was started by a generous attendee of the CDC’s annual Kris Kringle Luncheon fundraiser. They had won the 50/50 pot and made the selfless decision to give that money back to the community. Other’s added to the pot and the fund was born. The fund supports the many services that the centre provides families in our region, including: physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, family resource support, and supported child development. 

Most of the services the CDC provides are intended to improve quality of life and prepare children to successfully enter the school system. 

By committing to making a financial contribution to the Child Development Centre’s endowment fund, you will be helping provide children in the region with: 

• Timely access to comprehensive developmental supports and services
• Specialized equipment that makes everyday life easier and more fun
• Physical and emotional skill development needed to succeed in school and beyond 
• Support for parents, families, and caregivers of children with disabilities and developmental delays
• Advocacy for child’s success in the broader community, including referrals to and collaboration with medical specialists 

The Community Arts Council of Prince George & District (“CAC”) was established in 1968 to respond to a growing need to expand the reputation of artistic endeavours throughout the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. The CAC has been a vital component of the Prince George district for over 50 years. Since its founding, the CAC and its members have been providing a wide range of services and programs that have helped contribute to the spirit of innovation, ingenuity and open-mindedness that defines the Prince George district. As of this year, the CAC is the umbrella organization to 245 members, comprising professional and emerging artists, performers, ensembles, artisan guilds and cultural organizations, all living and working in an area covering more than 51,000 km². The heart of our organization has been at Studio 2880, situated on the traditional unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, since 1976. These facilities have become a destination for people who wish to purchase locally created artworks, and access and benefit from the unique educational programs and services offered there.

The Prince George Community Foundation and the CAC have enjoyed a long history together. Studio 2880 was the original home of the Foundation and our two organizations enjoyed working side by side for approximately a decade. In 2006, the CAC had the privilege of starting an endowment with the Foundation. From an original contribution of $15,000, the Foundation has successfully doubled the value of our endowment in the past fifteen years. The result of their success has ensured the continuous availability of project grant funds, accessed by a wide range of group types, including arts and culture. Funds from the Foundation were instrumental in allowing the Arts Council to help initiate the Northern Indigenous Arts Council. Other arts educational programs for children and youth have been supported over the years by the Foundation. We were even able to help engage the community in the new art of podcasting with financial assistance from the Foundation. In 2018, the Foundation was a funding partner in a range of activities to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, including publishing a book and the creation of a video. We wish to thank the staff, board, volunteers, and financial investors of the Foundation with all our gratitude and appreciation for an amazing relationship over the past twenty-five years, with success and great accomplishments for many more years.

Endowment Fund History

Early in the development of the Cranbrook Hill Greenway it was recognized that there would be a requirement for ongoing maintenance funds. While it was recognized that the majority of future maintenance would be undertaken by volunteers there would always be the need for funds to purchase supplies and equipment. In 1996 the Greenway Society was given the opportunity to host the annual Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival. This festival presented on an annual basis provided a small but welcome revenue stream for the Greenway Society. With the revenue from the first Film Festival in 1996 the Greenway Society decided to establish a maintenance endowment and in all subsequent years to put any revenue from the annual Film Festival into this endowment. Initially, the Greenway Society was going to enter into an agreement with the Vancouver Foundation to manage the funds but fortunately, at the same time, the Prince George Community Foundation was being established so negotiations were started to invest in our local Foundation. In addition to revenue from the Film Festival the Greenway Society also established a fundraising program called Buy a Meter the proceeds of which would also be invested in the endowment. Negotiations with the Prince George Community Foundation were concluded with the signing of an agreement in the fall of 1999. At that time the initial investment in the endowment had reached over $10,000. 

With the annual revenue from the Film Festival, the Buy a Meter program and other donations as of 2020 the capital in the Cranbrook Hill Greenway Endowment was close to $100,000.

Use of Endowment Revenue

In November of 2000, the first grant from the endowment in the amount of $1,274 was received. It was decided that at that time and for the foreseeable future any revenue from the endowment would be returned to the Community Foundation to be reinvested and increase the capital of the fund. In 2020 the Greenway Society decided to start receiving the annual grant and using the money for maintenance work. However, the endowment continues to grow with revenue from donations, Buy a Meter and the Film Festival. 

The Campaign aims to:

• Top up the PGSO Endowment Fund to $500,000
• Raise money for small capital investments like instruments and equipment for the orchestra
• Increase our annual operation capacity to include more musicians, more services, and more community and education programs.

For more information on the Legacy Campaign, visit https://www.pgso.com/legacy-campaign 

• Elizabeth MacRitchie (Legacy Fund Committee Chair)
• Ken Hall (Executive Director)

Following successful productions in 2016, 2017, and 2018 Anne clearly remembers when the Community Foundation reached out. “Having just closed our third production, Noreen Rustad contacted us and wrote, ‘If you are interested in doing all this hard work again next year I wonder if you would like to consider creating an endowment in the Prince George Community Foundation with the funds raised. That way the income generated keeps giving year after year.’ With a strong belief in the value of endowments and having created an endowment for Theatre North West with the Foundation some 12 years earlier, Anne and Ted were happy to meet.

Following a May meeting with Noreen and President of the Foundation Al LeFebvre a decision was made to donate the next play to create a new endowment for the community. Ted remembers how well it all went. “Our good opinion of the Foundation predisposed us to saying yes. But then what clinched it was how eager they were to learn about our wishes regarding the possible purpose of the endowment.” In short order it was determined that that winter’s production would create The Children of Prince George Fund. Annual interest and investment earnings would be distributed to local organizations assisting children with their most essential needs: food and nutrition, clothing, care, medical equipment, health, literacy, physical and psychological therapy. 

That winter Miracle Theatre produced the play Halfway There and launched The Children of Prince George Fund with a donation of $84,036. The response to both the play and the cause was so encouraging that the decision was made to also donate the next play to The Children’s Fund. The goal was to increase the fund by at least another $65,000.

On Valentine’s Day, 2020 Miracle Theatre opened The Birds and The Bees. It was the most successful production to date and the financial goal was easily exceeded. This time the donation to The Children’s Fund was an additional $106,265.

Purposes for use of a grant funding include, but are not be limited to, the following:  

• preschool experiences
• music or art therapies
• sport or art or music experiences
• camp experiences
• special daycare needs
• swimming lessons/ experiences
• technical support or assistance

I got the idea for a community foundation in the fall of 1994 after watching a televised presentation to Richmond City Council by the Richmond Community Foundation Board. I hadn’t realized the extent of the community foundation movement across the country. I was excited and suggested to city manager George Paul that perhaps Prince George could create such a foundation. George along with Bill Kennedy came back to me a few months later with a well developed proposal for the establishment of a community foundation and suggested, if the idea met with my approval,  the next step would be to organize a meeting of volunteer community leaders. From that point on an incredible amount of work was done until the following October when The Prince George Community Foundation was incorporated.

I had announced that I would not be running again in the next election and some of my supporters organized a tribute roast with close to 1000 people in attendance at the new Civic Centre.  $76,000 were raised and became the first major dedicated fund for the Prince George Community Foundation. 

The income from the fund is designated by me to the Prince George Public Library, the trails system and street youth programs. 

I chose these designations for the following reasons:

• I believe that the public library is the heart of the community and always needs money for special projects. (Once a librarian, always a librarian)
• In a city located in an area of hills, forests and rivers an integrated trail system is a priceless asset.
• Programs aimed at helping street youth are historically underfunded, I hoped that another funding source would be of some assistance. 
• I brought forward the idea for a community foundation, however I didn’t do the work to make it a reality. Over the years Board members and other volunteers have worked to make the Prince George Community Foundation the positive force it is in the community. It has been a resounding success, a perfect fit for a “can do” city like Prince George.

John Backhouse 

A real focus for both Barbara and Don Basserman were the various opportunities to volunteer in Prince George, including being involved with the Prince George Community Foundation. As a result, the Bassermann Family fund was established along with finding ways to attract donations to funds for a variety of additional endowments such as ones supporting the Rail Museum, Exploration Place, the Prince George Symphony and the Prince George Art Gallery.

Further adventures included our son's partner Nikki joining our family with her little son who has been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. This encouraged our family and friends to establish an endowment supporting families with autistic children. A goal of $10,000 was established and it was intended to achieve this by creating and selling ornamental animal planters …. one hundred planters at $100 each!  With the enormous support of friends and the community, this was readily achieved. Additionally, son Rob's employer, Prince George Ford, chose to add $15,000 to this endowment for a total in excess of  $25,000!

In 2007 they decided to establish a family fund with the Prince George Community Foundation. Knowing the history of the community foundation and the various avenues of support available to donate to, it seemed like a natural fit with the Davy’s philanthropic wishes. 

The creation of this fund has allowed them to present donations to organizations close to their heart. Now with a growing family, they are able to model to 
their young children the importance of giving and sharing as an important part of being an active citizen in our society. The oldest two children are now at an age where they can participate with their parents in deciding where this year’s donations should go. 

One of the benefits of having a fund like this is that their original gift to the fund is held in perpetuity with the annual returns being available to disburse through grants. By involving themselves and their children in the process of deciding where the grants will go, the Davy’s are creating a meaningful family legacy for their children to inherit. 

As a result, the Davy Family Endowment Fund will be able to contribute to worthy causes forever. The Davy’s hope their example will encourage other 
families to think about how they might make a long-term investment in their community. 

Following Ryan's sudden passing, at the very young age of 27, Ryan's family and friends created a fund that would honor his love of the great outdoors. As an avid outdoor enthusiast who often could be found hiking on Mount Robson, or camping near the many area Lakes, his life was truly enriched through what nature could offer. 

In a partnership with the Prince George Community Foundation the proceeds and earned interest from the capital donations received are granted in his memory to the Family Y's Aurora Youth Leadership program. This program is dedicated to providing encouragement, support and financial assistance and helping young people aspire to and achieve greater individual accomplishments. 

Annually Sheila and Carl Arnett, and their family host a Bar-B-Que at their family cabin on Canada Day, which coincides with Ryan’s birthday on July 3rd, and his passion and love for Canada and the holiday he enjoyed most. The more Ryan travelled, the more he came home saying that Canada was the best, most beautiful country in the world. He was a proud Canadian. At this event friends and family continue to support the fund. As a family they feel so blessed to have continued love and support from so many people over the years.

In conjunction with the Family Y, and TrueSport, this fund will embark on an exciting program which will see the funds used in a manor that will not only honor Ryan, but will assist marginalized Youth lead productive, healthy and an active lifestyle.

The Voneugen family fund was established to honour Dick Voneugen, a tireless supporter of this community.  Dick is the one and only person to be awarded the distinction of the Prince George Citizen of the Year twice. The first time was in 1995 when the event, at that time, was sponsored by the Rotary Club and the second time was in 2007 under the current event sponsorship of the Prince George Community Foundation.

Words from Kris's son, Kieran:

Dad was the best and most supportive father. I am very grateful to have had him be such a big part of my life. From a young age he was always rooting for me in all my activities and having my back during difficult times. Through the years we had many great adventures and made many memories up to recent years developed a closer father and son bond as an adult. He was always happy to assist when you needed a hand or if you just want to have good conversations. He wasn’t just my dad but one of my best friends. I know he will always be cheering for us. Love you and miss you lots dad. 

Words from Kris's son, Aiden:

I couldn’t be more grateful to call, who many people know as Kris, as my Dad.  Reminiscing about him I can pinpoint times when I was in a hole and he was always kind and loving to me no matter what. I’ve seen this kindness through his work where he would always be present and willing to do whatever he could to help because he truly cared for everyone he was in service of. Stories people have told about his cycling spoke about how he was inclusive, making everyone feel welcome, staying behind and talking to people, with his smile. Races he was in where he slowed down so he could pass through finish lines together with his fellow racers showed true sportsmanship. It is very important for me to keep his legacy alive with words and with actions. This foundation puts into action a way to remember everything he’s brought to the world and to raise awareness for Coronary Artery Disease.  We hope to help limit the  circumstances this disease has put our family through for others and bring awareness that this could happen to anyone even if there are no signs to indicate so. We will keep riding on and hope to “crush it” for you, my Dad Kris Yip.

Jack Blair was born and raised in Fort St John. He arrived in Prince George in 1966 to start a teaching career that spanned 32 years. He was an elementary school teacher and Principal while teaching in seven different schools. (Harwin, Spruceland, Hixon, Glenview, Blackburn, North Nechako and Seymour). He became involved with those students and communities and enjoyed every day of his teaching career because of this involvement. Jack married, and with wife Marilyn raised four children (Trent, Allison, Glen and Gary) who, as adults continue to live, work, and raise their families while continuing to volunteer and support community activities and projects.

Jack liked kids, and always found time to encourage and support them in every way; modelling life skills, sharing knowledge, and fostering a safe and supportive learning space for all.  Over the years, students have said that “Mr. Blair was always fair, friendly, fun and sometimes funny!”

Jack knows the value of giving personal time, talent and resources to a community so it can be a great place to raise children and foster a rich community life.  Giving back to the community through time and funds via the Prince George Community Foundation is another way to enrich our community supports.  

Jack served as a director of the Prince George Community Foundation and during his term, he helped establish a Youth Advisory council called HYPE (Helping Kids Progress Endowment) so youth could participate in the workings of the foundation. This project developed a Youth Endowment Fund and involved youth in practicing and learning about philanthropy and service to their community.  At this time a Blair Family Fund was established to help support this Endowment program in order to “give something back” to a community that has been good to him.

With the success of Brownridge Insurance, Brian and Jacy Brownridge felt fortunate to be able to share their good fortune with others ….giving back to their community. In particular, this included UNBC, the Prince George Community Foundation, Spirit of the North, the Cancer Society and BC Children’s Hospital.

Brian’s community involvement extended beyond the monetary, sitting on numerous boards and fundraising committees, and with his extensive contacts and personality, was ensured success in those roles. Brian Brownridge was one to leave an impression on you. It might have been because of his boldly shared opinions, his politically incorrect sense of humour, or perhaps it was his well-known fashion sense, but he was also known for more significant principles in both business and in life….like honesty, loyalty, and striving to be the best.

Brian passed away in July of 2018, leaving the next generation firmly in place in the business and the community to continue the traditions and commitments learned by his example. Their sons, Gord and TR continue to grow the business and know the value of involvement in the community. While some of their focus differs from their parents, the Prince George Community Foundation will always be a constant.

Brian Brownridge was named a Life Member, posthumously, of the Prince George Community Foundation.

Bud and Sylvia Cooney were married and moved to Prince George in 1961.

They were married 41 years until Bud passed away in 2002 as a result of a heart attack.

Sylvia has continued to live in Prince George for over 60 years. She is recognized for her active community volunteer work, as a 20-year member of the Good Cheer Club, and the White Cane Club since the early 1980s, volunteering as the treasurer. Sylvia volunteered with the Prince George Community Foundation for many years at the annual golf tournament as the ‘greeter’ during the award ceremony events. She has always worked hard to give back to her community and recognizes the important work of the Community Foundation. Sylvia said, "The people at the Foundation are a great group of volunteers and they are all nice people to work with. I love Prince George, it is my home.

Sylvia and Bud Cooney’s family appreciates the ongoing work of the Prince George Community Foundation and the assistance from Kathy Nadalin in telling the story of Sylvia and Bud Cooney’s life in her book and newspaper column. Thank you.

I lived in Prince George for more than 70 years and, during that time, I watched it grow from a small community with dirt roads and wood sidewalks to what is now being referred to as the northern capital of B.C.

Although I no longer live in Prince George, I still believe the people who live there are a special group who appreciate the benefits of living close to the outdoors and how volunteering creates a strong community.

During all the years I lived there, together with my husband, Svend, and four children, I also volunteered for many community organizations including school associations, minor hockey, the Spruce Kings, soccer, many seniors’ organizations and, of course, the Prince George Community Foundation. Those years of volunteer commitment made me very aware of how difficult it was for volunteer organizations there to raise money, especially when we were competing with larger cities for whatever grants were available. I was also elected as a school trustee serving from 1994 to 2002 where, again, I saw how volunteers struggled to raise money to transport students to sports and cultural events in distant communities.

I was a reporter at the Prince George Citizen for 23 years where, again, I was made aware of the hard work being done by hundreds of volunteers who all struggled to obtain the financial help they needed to maintain or improve the programs that enhance the lives and health of residents of that area.

After I became associated with the Prince George Community Foundation, I also learned that some former residents of Prince George who’d prospered there were making donations to the Vancouver Foundation. Although the Vancouver Foundation has always been very generous when making grants to organizations outside the Lower Mainland, I really thought we should join the growing Canadian Community Foundation movement so local residents could decide who should receive grants raised through the investment of their donations.

Although I no longer live in Prince George, I still think of it as my ‘hometown’ and defend it mightily whenever it becomes necessary. I follow the activities there, especially the work of the Prince George Community Foundation, which will always be the recipient of my main annual charitable contribution. I am proud of my association with that organization and look forward to its continued success.

The Prince George Community Foundation, with encouragement from the Vancouver Foundation, established a Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The Vancouver Foundation gave a $5000.00 donation to begin a Prince George Community Foundation Youth Endowment Fund. A YAC was formed from a group of volunteers from various High School Student Councils and the Prince George Youth “HYPE” Council was created. These concerned and dedicated youth are between the ages of 13-25 and represent a cross-section of the youth population in Prince George. During a workshop to study the purpose and meaning of Philanthropy and some brainstorming, the council developed the HYPE acronym for their YAC. HYPE stood for Helping Youth Progress Endowment. Their role was to recommend grants from a permanent Youth fund after assessing local youth needs, and be involved in fund development, fundraising and support systems for involving youth in philanthropy.

The Mission Statement from HYPE read as follows: 

The Prince George Community Foundation’s Youth HYPE Council is dedicated to “Youth Helping Youth by Giving Something Back” to make our community a better place for all. In pursuit of this mission, the council believes in:

1. Creating a permanent Youth Endowment Fund 
2. Financially supporting youth-oriented programs and projects 
3. Encouraging service, volunteerism and philanthropy in our community. 

The HYPE council continued for several years, meeting regularly, and working on projects to support these mission statements. 

The aim of establishing the Youth Endowment Fund was to give a place for donors to support the Community Foundation through targeted youth projects. The Youth Advisory Council involved students and supported them in gaining skills and knowledge of philanthropy, service and volunteering while learning to give back to their community of Prince George. Through your donation to the Youth Endowment Fund, you can “give something back” to provide the opportunity for Youth Helping Youth to become a reality. 

This award is established in memory of Andrew and Joan Peasgood who were long-time teachers at McBride Secondary and McBride Elementary. Andy and Joan met in Prince George after immigrating from the UK to teach in 1965. They met at one of the many new teachers' social events and married in 1967. In 1972 they moved to McBride where Andy taught high school and eventually became vice principal and Joan taught at the elementary school. It was not uncommon for a student to have had them both be their teacher during their school years. Both Andy and Joan were active volunteers in the community with the schools, local hospital and library all benefiting from their dedicated service. They had three children who remember fondly the community that they were raised in. Joan passed in 1995 and Andy passed in 2021. 

Although gone, their love and commitment to education, family and community will never be forgotten. Andy is remembered for his keen interest in trades training, community service and wonderful sense of humour. Joan is remembered for her kind heart, commitment to family and gentle support for struggling students. This award is available annually to a Grade 12 student at McBride Secondary who intends to pursue post-secondary training in the 
vocational, technical, or trades related areas.

The College of New Caledonia and the Prince George Community Foundation have had a long and beneficial association.

During the inception of the Prince George Community Foundation, CNC was among the first major institutions in Prince George that came on board to help raise the profile of the Foundation.

CNC provides multiple Scholarships and Bursaries from this fund every year.

Amanda died tragically on January 7, 2022, as a result of a ski accident near Nelson. Amanda was living and working in Nelson for the Ministry of Forests as a Silvicultural Systems Researcher. She embraced the Nelson community with its fabulous outdoor recreational opportunities. She loved both winter and summer sports of all kinds. She played with the Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team for 15 years and she was most proud when the team won a silver medal at the Pan Am Games in 2015. She also played NCAA hockey and softball, as well as CIS hockey for two years with the UBC Thunderbirds Women’s Hockey Team. 

Amanda was born and raised in Prince George, B.C.. She attended Brown University where she obtained a B.Sc. in Human Biology. She went on to graduate school at UBC and she obtained a Master of Science and then a Ph.D. in Forestry. She worked with Dr. Suzanne Simard (her Supervisor and Advisor) on the “Mother Tree”, “Intelligent Trees”, and other projects. Amanda’s research was focused on kin selection in trees and their communication in underground mycorrhizal fungal networks. 

Amanda is survived by loving family, friends, and teammates around the world. This is such a tragic and unexpected loss. She was full of life and our lives will never be the same without her. Her utterly amazing legacy will live on in the memories of all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace Amanda Bear.

The purpose of the fund is to create a lasting legacy in the name of Amanda Asay with the creation of two memorial awards. One award will be allocated to a student attending post-secondary school from School District 57 in Prince George, British Columbia and one from School District 8 in Nelson, British Columbia. Preference will be given to female students, going on to post-secondary education, who participate in hockey, ringette, baseball or softball. An award will be disbursed to each School District annually. 

A wildly dedicated family man, Josh Cinnamon was a humble, hard-working, honest, and accomplished hockey player, traveler, endurance athlete, lawyer, counsel, husband, father, brother, son, uncle, and friend. Unparalleled in every way, everyone who knew Josh was better for it.

Funded by those who loved him, this award intends to help Valemount’s next generation of learners while reminding us all to go out and sprinkle a little Cinnamon in the world and share a bit of Josh: call an old friend, be kind, make someone smile, be better.

This Bursary provided an ongoing legacy in the name of Joshua Cinnamon, and will be awarded each year to a student of exceptional character, graduating from Valemount Secondary School, who is pursuing post-secondary education or trades training.

The LINDA WILBUR MEMORIAL BURSARY was established following her death on March 10th, 2017 at the age of 68. The Wilbur family established the bursary as a legacy honouring the life of a wonderful woman - a woman who was kind, strong, funny, talented, and loving. She was a person whose love and kindness touched the lives of many people and none more so than the children she taught over her forty-four year teaching career. Linda’s love of teaching and her dedication to students was superseded only by her love of her family.  

Linda was the consummate teacher. Like all superb teachers, she worked tirelessly to help her students. Her ability to help children learn, both the bright and talented and those who struggled, was admired by all who had the pleasure of teaching with her. Linda also mentored many student teachers over the years, generously giving of her time and knowledge to help them grow into professional educators. 

She began her teaching career in Yellowknife, North West Territories followed by a year of teaching in Delta. After her marriage to Dave Wilbur in 1973 and a move to Prince George, her career was spent teaching at Seymour, Spruceland, Malaspina, and finally, at Hart Highlands Elementary where she taught for seventeen years. 

Even after retirement, Linda continued to teach. One of her greatest pleasures during this time was working with Prince George Cougar, Slovakian-born Martin Marincin, helping him learn the English language. As always, her skill, laced with humour and respect, worked their magic with Marincin who has gone on to play in the NHL for Edmonton and Toronto. 

The Bursary reflects Linda’s passion for teaching ALL students, no matter their ability. It is open to students who attended Hart Highlands Elementary and who demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement and financial need. The Bursary can be disbursed prior to graduation to a student upon acceptance in SD57's Career Technical Centre program or after graduation, upon registration in a trades, vocational, or academic program.

The Career Technical Centre Program is a partnership between the College of New Caledonia and School District 57​ that allows high school students to have a unique opportunity to take their first year of trades training at CNC while earning dual credits, graduating ready to enter the workforce as an apprentice. This is a program very near and dear to Linda’s heart.

The bursary is a part of School District 57’s Springboard to Success Program, a partnership program between SD 57 and the Prince George Community Foundation and was a natural choice as a way to honour Linda as a loving person and an exemplary teacher. 

Criteria: Demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement with a minimum 70% average and who is from a one income family. Preference will be given to students who are involved in church or community activities. Student must have an excellent attendance and attitude. 

The story of Syd and Betty began in 1948 when Syd witnessed the town's new school teacher and her class of school children on a wild horseback ride down George Street. Their next encounter was at the Badminton Club when they finally met and so began the courtship. They married in Victoria in August 1949 and honeymooned all the way home to Prince George to begin their busy life. Together they took ownership of the River View Motel situated at the Cameron Street Bridge and the Hart Highway intersection (no longer standing) and Syd began his lengthy career in Hotel Management.

After their first 2 daughters were born they bought a farm on the Nechako River where they raised their 5 children and created their own pioneering adventure. Betty became a dedicated member of the Order of Eastern Star and Syd the Masonic Order. Kinsmen was a large part of Syds life and Betty the Kinettes. Betty served on the Hospital Board Committee for 10 years and was the Eagles Mother of the Year in 1981. They travelled abroad extensively and after the kids left home Betty substitute taught for 10 years, continued to sew, knit and paint as well as manage a huge garden every summer.

Through times of war and the depression, they joined their strong characters and created an incredible life together.

Our Mother loved music. From the farm days as they washed the evening dishes, she learned how to harmonize with her brothers and on the 2 mile wagon rides to school the sound of children singing could be heard for miles across the Prairie. Church going would always be filled with song and it was her magnet. Even though she had “a leftie” (one arm) she could play the piano better than most. Her greatest love and secret to a happy heart was to sing with the Knox United Church Choir and the Gospel and Rainbow Singers right up till her final days in 2004. Her desire to pass on the gift of music was the foundation upon which she created this bursary for an aspiring musician. She would be so proud that this award still lives thanks to the hard work and vision of the Prince George Community Foundation.

This award recognizes well-rounded deserving students who have demonstrated strong school service and leadership, maintained an overall average of at least 73% through their Grade 11 and 12 courses, as well as participated in school athletics and/or clubs. A letter of reference outlining school participation must accompany 
application.

The University of Northern British Columbia also agrees to match the $1000.00 (tuition waiver) for each of these awards upon the recipients’ enrollment and attendance in any UNBC program.