James Culbert Fund
 Photo: Back Row: Catherine Newman, Heart & Stroke Foundation; CFPD President Ernie Shwaluk; Liz Kovach, Heart & Stroke Foundation; Jan Hills, Portage District Hospital Foundation. Front row: Joy Letkeman, Lung Association of Manitoba; Diane Stevenson, Trinity United Church; Margaret Clark, Lions Prairie Manor Foundation. |
In April, 2007, CFPD received the first installment of the James Culbert estate. The final amount came in late fall, and in December CFPD announced the creation of their largest fund to date. A designated fund was established and named the “James Culbert Fund” valued at $313,002. Mr. Culbert wished to help certain organizations in the community and requested that the following five charities benefit from this Fund:
Portage District General Hospital Foundation
Lions Prairie Manor Foundation
Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation
Trinity United Church – Portage la Prairie
Lung Association of Manitoba
James (Jim) Culbert farmed in the Rossendale district for 40 years. In 1973 he retired from farming and moved to Portage. For several years he sold real estate. Jim was dedicated to his family but also led a very active life as a volunteer and a sportsman. He served on several boards including Rossendale Church Board, Rossendale Community Club and Herman Prior Senior Services Centre. He joined the Oddfellows Lodge in 1974 and was chairman of the Oddfellows Provincial Bonspiel for a number of years. Jim passed away in 2003 at the age of 84.
CFPD is currently required to disburse a minimum of 3.5% of the value of the Fund per year. Grants will be awarded to the five organizations annually in December. This year the amount available for disbursement was $5,250 and each charity received a cheque for $1,050. In 2008 the Fund will generate $10,955, which will result in a grant of $2,191 for each group.