Les Green Fund
Spurred on by the Community Foundation of Portage and Districts “Drive for Five”, Les Green asked the question, “Do you want my money now or after I’m gone?” He made special provision in his will to give the Foundation $5,000. The answer: giving to the Foundation now would give Les the opportunity to see his money at work in the community. The decision was made to establish the Les Green Fund. As two previous gifts in memory of his first wife Shirley and second wife Gwen were undesignated, the dollars were added to the Fund to create a balance of $7,000.
Les Green is very well known in the community not only for his weekly column in the Herald Leader but for his volunteerism. For many years he was involved in Scouts in a big way as Portage District Cub Master and Assistant District Commissioner. In 2004 he received the Arts and Culture Person of the Year Award for the work he did and continues to do in connecting the public to the history of Portage through his storytelling. His woodworking skills have kept the Portage Arts Centre and the Library in good repair. The Douglas Campbell Lodge was also on his list of place to receive his help.
Born in Portage la Prairie in 1926, Les spent 43 years as an underwriter for the Portage la Prairie Mutual Insurance Company. He and Shirley had three children and now is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren and one great grandson.
The Les Green Fund will be undesignated and benefit all areas of the community. He said, “This will be for no particular purpose (for the Fund) other than to bolster–up your campaign (Drive for Five) and the Foundation in general. So keep up the good work. ”