The family of the late John (Jack) Stanley Edwards has established an endowment fund in his memory to provide support for full or part time employees of the H.J. McFarland Memorial Home in Picton who wish to take additional education through Loyalist College. The endowment fund will provide an annual bursary to assist individuals who are registered in full or part-time studies, in a Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities approved certificate or diploma program at Loyalist.
The endowment was announced at the H.J. McFarland Memorial Home today by the family, Mrs. Bernice Edwards, daughter Judi Edwards, and John Chisling. In making the announcement to the staff and residents, the family cited the wonderful care that Mr. Edwards had received while a resident at the Home.
“We will always remember the gentle, compassionate and professional care that Jack received from all of the staff while he was a resident of the H.J. McFarland Memorial Home for the Aged. In gratitude, the bursary in Jack’s memory will enable the staff, their children, grandchildren or high school students from Prince Edward County to attend Loyalist College and pursue their ambitions.”
The endowment fund has been established by the family’s donation of $22,000, which has been matched through the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) program, creating a total endowment of $44,000. The family has pledged to increase the endowment to $100,000 in the future. The funds are administered through the Loyalist College Foundation.
H.J. McFarland Administrator Ellen Gervais thanked the Edwards family, noting that, “the demand for ongoing education and training is becoming more prominent as it pertains to long term care. The H.J. McFarland Memorial Home as a long term care provider must not only strive to ensure that high quality and varied educational opportunities are readily available but that employees are encouraged and supported in their efforts to pursue continuing education. The staff bursary fund established in memory of John (Jack) Stanley Edwards now makes it possible for our staff to embrace such opportunities.”
Loyalist President Maureen Piercy and College Foundation Chair June Surgey added their thanks. “Generosity such as that of Mr. Edwards’ family allows individuals in our community to gain a post-secondary credential and achieve their potential. We want to sincerely thank the Edwards family for their commitment,” said President Maureen Piercy. Foundation Chair June Surgey commented that, “The endowment fund announced today will make a difference for many in Prince Edward County, as they are able to access more training and education with financial assistance from the J&B Edwards Enterprises Fund. It is a wonderful gift for now and for the future.”
For information about the J&B Edwards Enterprises Limited Bursary, please contact Joanne Farrell, Awards Officer at Loyalist College at 613-969-1913, ext. 2202, or Ellen Gervais, Administrator, H.J. McFarland Home for the Aged at 613-476-2138, ext. 132.
Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, Loyalist College, 613-969-1913, ext. 2235; e-mail: dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca