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KACL staff surprise retiring Director, Jim Retson, with $30,000 for his Endowment Fund

Photo by Cory McCrindle, Northern Exposures Photography & Communications

Photo by Cory McCrindle, Northern Exposures Photography & Communications

If you were driving past the Discovery Centre June 12th, you probably noticed an overwhelming number of vehicles. Many co-workers, family, friends, and even a slew of bagpipers, all gathered there to wish Jim Retson a bitter-sweet farewell, as he ventures out into retirement.

Organized by his staff at the Kenora Association for Community Living, the evening featured touching speeches and many tears from Jim’s colleagues over the past 29 years, where he acted as Executive Director to the Association.

Jim especially believed in equality and loved to support his community however he could. So, naturally, he reached out to the Kenora & Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation. He, with KACL, started their own endowment fund that continues to provide financial support, year after year, to the Association.

For his retirement, his staff really wanted to demonstrate their appreciation for his hard work and kind heart. Two things popped into mind; fundraising and endowment fund. They had one year to do this and boy did they ever fundraise. Friends, family and staff raised over $30,000 towards his endowment fund!!

Representatives, Don Parfitt and Darlene MacGillivray, were on hand from the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation and had the pleasure of presenting Jim with this stunning gift.

The Community Foundation would like to thank you Jim, and all those friends, family, neighbours, and staff involved in going above and beyond for your community!

 

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