Thanks to all who joined us at Burlington Foundation’s Happenings 2017 for an inspirational evening featuring global keynote speaker, Spencer West, as well as stories of giving closer to home. With the evening kickstarted by video vignettes sharing how community members and organizations are coming together to make change happen right here, attendees were given a front row seat to see how, through all stages of life, our giving of time, talent, and treasure together is making an important impact in our community. Following our local stories, Ron Foxcroft, Board Chair of Burlington Foundation welcomed our celebrated ME to WE speaker, Spencer West and Spencer began sharing his incredible lessons. And through the evening’s moving global and local storytelling, we were all able to see and feel how people’s collective determination, perseverance and giving spirit really can make change happen.
As our CEO, Colleen Mulholland noted, whether supporting others a world away, or right here in our community, we all have the power to create a fantastic ripple effect of change by coming together. Now that’s brilliant!
A bit about Spencer’s story: At five years old, Spencer West lost his legs from the pelvis down. Today, our keynote speaker’s amazing achievements have included climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to bring the world’s attention to the devastating drought affecting Kenya. And within Canada, Spencer completed an epic 300 km trek from Edmonton to Calgary to raise awareness and money for Free The Children’s clean water projects. As a much sought after international speaker, including as a celebrated ME to WE keynoter, Spencer West inspires us all to Give brilliantly.
