The genesis of Family & Friends Community Foundation Inc. can be specifically traced to the generosity of Jean and Mary Welke, the Elliot sisters originating from the community of Ingleside, south of Marchwell. Jean and Mary married two Welke brothers, both of whom had predeceased them. Having a significant estate, but no children and few relatives, they wondered how to distribute their estate. When they learned that community foundations were a means to create endowments in perpetuity for the benefit of local charities, they found their answer.
Their generosity ignited an interest that led to the creation of Family & Friends Community Foundation. With the involvement of community leaders, a Founders Program was initiated with recognition given to those who gifted either five thousand, one thousand or five hundred dollars. The success of this program was quickly augmented with a large transfer of funds held by the Sunrise Health Region, funds that had been raised by a levy in the hopes of building a new hospital in Langenburg.
A Gala evening held February 28, 2004 brought together the three communities of Spy Hill, Churchbridge and Langenburg with the Vice Regal attendance of Lieutenant Governor Dr. Lynda Haberstock. The celebration was marked with the locally produced performance We Are. Soon the Welke sisters spirit caught on. George Layh, a retired bachelor living in Langenburg, gifted $300,000.00 to the Foundation to be granted to the Langenburg Arts Council to refurbish the local theatre.
Within a year of its inception Family & Friends Community Foundation had become a recognized and visionary charitable organization that would indefinitely serve the needs of three communities, granting gifts to further health care, education, arts, sports and culture.
Family and Friends Community Foundation would like to thanks the following for their support by creating new funds in 2021:
Mervin & Ann Kendel Fund
Support projects for the beautification within the town of Langenburg
Langenburg Central School Leadership Fund
To promote and enhance school leadership within the SRC organization
Rosemarie & Earl Walz Memorial Fund
To maintain and care for St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery Langenburg
Christ Lutheran Cemetery - MacNutt
To maintain and care for cemetery
To start a new fund $5,000 or more is required. All donations of $20 or more to any fund will receive a tax receipt. Thank you to all donors for your continued support.
www.familyandfriendsfoundation.com
Laying Cornerstones for the Future
Family & Friends Community Foundation Inc. • Box 800, Langenburg, Saskatchewan, S0A 2A0 • ckotzer@sasktel.net