Best Buddies Canada honoured with largest donation in its 15-year history

Steven Pinnock, Executive Director, Best Buddies Canada announced today (June 3, 2009) that it had received a $500,000 donation from the James Raymond Cowling Foundation, reflecting the largest single donation ever made to the charity.
 
Best Buddies Canada is a national non-profit dedicated to creating friendships between student volunteers and individuals with intellectual disabilities. The program was established more than 15 years ago, and has chapters in more than 175 high schools, colleges and universities across Canada.

Raymond Cowling, a retired food broker, created the James Raymond Cowling Foundation and its donation is instrumental in launching Best Buddies $10 million Legacy Campaign, designed to support the important friendship programs undertaken by the organization. 

To commemorate the donation, Best Buddies recently awarded Cowling with the “Spirit of Friendship Award”. Cowling was born and raised in Toronto and after working for Nestle Canada, he established the Cowling Group of Companies in 1965. Formed in 1994, the James Raymond Cowling Foundation supports a wide range of charitable organizations, including Casey House, Princess Margaret Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, and the Humane Society.

“Raymond Cowling has been a strong supporter from launch of our charity,” said Daniel Greenglass, founder and co-chair of Best Buddies Canada. “He has supported us for the past 15 years and his support has been instrumental in the success of the organization.”

“In my 35 years of business, I have always tried hard to make the right decisions in order to succeed and I believe that my contribution to Best Buddies reflects another wise decision and an investment to help secure the longevity of one of my favourite charities”, said Cowling.

“Despite economic conditions, Best Buddies has demonstrated that hard work and perseverance pays off. Today, the support of Mr. Cowling shows that people are noticing our success,” said Best Buddies Executive Director Steven Pinnock.

Best Buddies will devote a portion of the funds to develop a scholarship for program volunteers and develop online training opportunities. “We want to use this as an opportunity to recognize our volunteers,” said Pinnock. “Our students make our program what it is.”