When Mark Wynnyk was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident at just 27 years of age, the Barlett/Wynnyk family decided it wanted to honour Mark’s memory, while meeting the needs of the community in an ongoing, sustainable way.
The family has done so for more than 15 years with the Now I Can Children’s Fund, held at the Burlington Community Foundation (BCF).
“The Burlington Community Foundation was able to provide a comprehensive infrastructure, as well as handle all the administrative duties with a talented board of directors and support staff,” said Nancy Barlett, Mark’s mother. “They were able to assist our family in providing the means to honour Mark’s memory and ensure his legacy lived on.”
The Now I Can Children’s Fund focuses on empowering disadvantaged youth through community programming that offers skill development and educational opportunities to help youth build confidence and fully realize their potential. The fund’s commitment is to help make the future brighter for young people who are struggling to identify their path in life.
Throughout the years, the fund has supported youth through grants and bursaries awarded to charitable organizations, including the Eva Rothwell Centre (Hamilton), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton Burlington, Halton Learning Foundation and My Friend’s House (Collingwood).
The family has also decided to leave a planned gift to BCF in its will.
Mark’s older brother, Dan, believes the money will be put to better use if it is going to the Now I Can Children’s Fund, administered by BCF.
“The fund will be there forever and there will always be young people in need of help,” he said.
“Mark would be proud that his family has honoured him in such a way.”