Community Impact Stories

Regina & Area Sexual Assault Centre

We are joined by Lisa Miller, Executive Director and Brianna Taylor, Counsellor at Regina & Area Sexual Assault Centre. They received $2,500 from the South Saskatchewan Vital Community Fund in 2022 and we caught up with them to hear about the impact their program is making.

George Butt Supporting the Heart of Arcola

In 2008, George Butt created an endowed Fund through SSCF to benefit his hometown of Arcola for generations to come. Each year, the George Butt Foundation Fund provides support to Prairie Place Hall, Arcola Curling Club, St. Andrews United Church, and Arcola Cemetery.

Because George’s gift is endowed, it will continue to grow over time. This means his donation will continue to provide stable and consistent yearly funding to his hometown, forever.

Knight Archer Insurance's Commitment to Community

Giving back to community has been engrained in Knight Archer’s culture for many years. Community giving is in every employee’s individual plan, staff are given paid days off to volunteer, and one of Knight Archer’s five pillars is Community Partnerships. Tracy Archer says that opening the Funds at SSCF is a way of growing that pillar and making sure it’s a core part of Knight Archer’s business.

Knight Archer Insurance supports children, mental health, and inclusion and diversity in Regina and the 17 communities they serve across the prairies, including Humbolt, Lumsden, Craven, Pense, Yorkton, and several other municipalities.

The Saros Cowasjee Small Animal Fund

Throughout his life, Saros Cowasjee (1931-2019) was very generous both in his support, the time for students as a Professor and his passion for helping small animals. The Saros Cowasjee Small Animal Foundation Fund was established in 2008 at SSCF. The income from this Fund was often donated to Humane Societies throughout southern Saskatchewan.

Since his estate bestowment in 2020, the Fund was able to give back $62,657 in 2021 and $114,965 in 2022. His estate donated over $2.2 million to the Fund and the impact of granting from his Fund increased from $12k per year to over $100k per year – and it will only keep growing and giving.

Gary Hyland: From Dream to Reality

Gary Hyland wanted to help others dealing with an ALS diagnosis even after he was gone. Today the Gary Hyland ALS Fund at the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation helps support individuals with ALS in the Regina-based area and across the province through the ALS Society of Saskatchewan. ALS is a debilitating disease which can sometimes progress rapidly. There is no known cure. Eighty percent of those diagnosed only live for two to five years. Equipment such as canes and motorized wheelchairs are vital supports. With necessary equipment ranging from $100,000 to $150,000, the Gary Hyland ALS Fund provides essential financial assistance to supplement the ALS Society equipment loans fund.

Ritenburg Family Fund: Planting the Seeds of a Heartfelt Home

The Ritenburg Family Fund at SSCF was started in 2013 and has since bestowed more than $170,000 to various charitable organizations which are close to the family’s principles. In addition, the family has a Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance for students at their alma maters, the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan. While Isabel passed away before being able to see much of the Fund’s great work, it was gratifying that Lorne witnessed and guided on a number of important outcomes.