NEWS FILE PHOTO Medicine Hat College is seen in this file photo.
Those seeking to make a legacy donation to contribute to the education of future generations should look no further than the Medicine Hat College Foundation.
“We are an in-house shop at Medicine Hat College for all kinds of giving,” explained Tonielle Pavlovic, MHC’s community relations officer.
“We work with donors and community partners in southern Alberta and beyond – largely within the Medicine Hat community – to award scholarships, bursaries, program enhancements, sponsorship and partnerships to Medicine Hat College.”
Much of their work centres on providing students with assistance to ensure their post-secondary education is affordable, Pavlovic added.
She says the foundation is “quite heavily” dependent on donations from the members of the public, but that’s not the sole reason for its community involvement.
“Community engagement is a big part of what we do. It’s not strictly bringing money in, because we really like to have that active community component and work within the community that way, but a big part of our work is bringing money in to support students and the bulk of that comes through scholarships and bursaries,” said Pavlovic.
She says there are a few ways donors can contribute to the foundation.
Scholarships and bursaries are a “popular choice,” but contributions can also be made via the New Pathways: Student Life Enhancement Fund, which provides students with “immediate access to financial resources when they’re faced with emerging and difficult situations in their life, which we’re all privy to at some point or another.”
“It really helps to keep them in the classroom and not have to drop out because they can’t pay a utility bill or child care bill, for instance,” said Pavlovic.
“We do try and help them beyond the classroom and beyond tuition fees too, but a lot of our donors do like to give towards academics, I would say.”
Overall, she says legacy giving is a great way to take what you’re passionate about and make an impact on somebody else’s life.
“It’s kind of an opportunity to perpetuate your values to leave a lasting impression,” said Pavlovic. “You might not be here to witness it, but that legacy will live on.”
