Symington Endowment Fund
In October of 2009, Vivien Symington, founder and owner of Club Aviva was proud to announce the establishment of the Symington Endowment Fund. Vivien established the fund to empower children with autism and other motor impairments, youth-at-risk, and high performance gymnasts to access programs encouraging healthy physical and emotional development. The fund provides financial support, in the form of bursaries or grants, to youth residing or training in the Tri-City area. The primary target of the fund will be supporting intensive one-to-one camp experiences for children living with autism or other mobility challenges. Although, elite gymnasts and charitable organizations offering gymnastics programs may receive support as well.
Dedication
The Symington Endowment Fund has been established in honour of Dr. David C Symington and his wife Evelyn Symington. Dr. Symington is a world-renowned specialist in rehabilitation medicine who received many awards for his dedication to disabled populations around the world. Dr. Symington is a very unusual man; he is a practical visionary, a tireless worker, a cock-eyed optimist who is deeply admired by all who know him. Dr. Symington is a Professor Emeritus of Queen's University, founding their School of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Physical Therapy and their School of Occupational Therapy. He is a Past President of Rehabilitation International and was also the Chairman of its Medical Committee. He was a member of the World Health Organization (WHO), serving on their expert advisory panel on rehabilitation.
Evelyn Symington has been his staunch supporter over the years, a loving mother for their six children and ten grandchildren and an advocate for disadvantaged children around the world. In June of 2011, Evelyn passed away peacefully in Kingston, Ontario after battling Alzheimers for several years.
Currently Dr. Symington resides in Kingston, Ontario.
Launch
On November 8, 2009, the Symington Endowment Fund was launched at Rodos Kouzina during the Tri-City Movement Therapy Society Fundraiser. An initial contribution of $10,000 was presented to the Coquitlam Foundation with the help of children living with autism and other mobility challenges.
Currently
As of December, 2011 the Symington Endowment Fund has dispersed over $12,000 to the following organizations:
- Tri-City Gymnastics Society
- Tri-City Movement Therapy Society
- Pocomo Youth Services
Goal
The Symington Endowment Fund has already provided financial assistance to children in need and hopes to continue providing assistance for generations. Our goal is to raise as much funds as possible to provide a substantial amount of ongoing support for children in need.
Donate
Click the link below to donate to the Symington Endowment Fund. Donations are processed through CanadaHelps.org and the Coquitlam Foundation.
Be sure to choose the Symington Endowment Fund under the Fund/Designation drop down menu.
Thank you to all of our donors for their generous contributions, this fund obviously couldn't exist without you.