Honey Family Foundation donates $80,000

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — The Honey Family Foundation has once again come through for five different area organizations, donating $80,000 through the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF).

Ryan Solcz, a director for WECF, took the podium and announced the donations.

“Mr. Honey has great affection for the Leamington area,” said Solcz. “He set up this fund to benefit organizations in the town of Leamington.”

Solcz said that the Honey Family Foundation focuses on the environment, nutrition and overall mental health of area residents.

He then announced the recipients and presented them with cheques for their portion of the donation.

The Southwestern Ontario Gleaners, represented by Tina Quiring, received $10,000. The South Essex Community Council, represented by Carolyn Warkentin, received $10,000.

The recipients of the Honey Family Foundation donation gathered at the Leamington Municipal Building courtyard on Thursday, August 19.

SUN photo

The Leamington Arts Centre, represented by Chad Riley, received $15,000.

Maryvale Children’s Mental Health Treatment Centre, represented by Connie Martin, received $20,000.

The largest amount was reserved for the Municipality of Leamington, represented by Mayor Hilda MacDonald, which was $25,000 earmarked for a soon-to-be-built splashpad at Mersea Park.

Mayor MacDonald spoke briefly to those gathered and was grateful to the Honey family.

“Can you imagine what it feels like to improve someone’s quality of life,” she asked. “Thank you to WECF and the Honey family for their generosity and understanding.”

This donation is one of many made throughout the years by the Honey Family Foundation.

In 2018, they donated $100,000 to the fundraising efforts of The Bank Theatre to help bring that organization’s dream to reality.

They had previously donated another $75,000 to The Bank Theatre’s green room.