Over a million dollars is being donated to the residents of Bridgewater.
It comes from Stephen Sander, a Vancouver real estate mogul who got his start as a gym teacher in the town in the 1960s.
Two hundred thousand dollars will go to build a new playground for Bridgewater Elementary.
The remaining million dollars will build a minimally invasive surgical suite at South Shore Regional Hospital.
$1.2 million being donated by Vancouver millionaire to SSRH and Bridgewater elementary pic.twitter.com/TEJXbD3PxJ
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) June 13, 2018
Sander’s daughter, Karen, says it’s her father’s way to thank the town for sponsoring his immigration.
She says the 84 year-old never forgot the community that brought him to Canada.
“He’s always had a very special place in his heart for Bridgewater, and what the community did and how they welcomed him. He’s Sikh and he’d left India only a year or two before.”
Sander says they wanted to support projects that could be completed quickly.
“The idea is something that will have a big impact for as many people as possible and especially with the school community, it was really important for us to do something there.”
She hopes her father can see the results of his generosity as they plan to make a trip to Bridgewater this fall.
The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore aims to get going right away.
Arleen Stevens says they will be speaking with architects and hope to begin construction in October.
Stevens was pleased to get a phone call from Karen Sander almost eight months ago.
“That conversation just began with a phone call from Karen saying, ‘Do you know my father’s name? We’d really like to talk to you about making a significant donation to the hospital.’”
Stevens says the Health Services Foundation had plans to sponsor the Minimally Invasive Surgical suite but the Sander’s donation will get that suite into use much faster.
Because of the donation, Bridgewater Elementary School students will get their new playground by September.
Teacher, Marcy Rogers says they began raising money a year and a half ago but were left scrambling after the existing structure had to be torn down last summer due to rot.
Roger says despite a lot of support from the town they faced an uphill battle.
“We’re looking at trying to fund raise a $450,000 project by doing fundraising projects that earn anywhere from $1,000 to maybe $2,000 dollars.”
Rogers says it would likely have taken the committee five years to get the money together to build the playground.
Bridgewater Elementary playground fundraising now totals $370k thanks to $200k donation from former teacher Stephen Sander @ssrsbbes @SSRCE_NS pic.twitter.com/Gbhb8AEA3s
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) June 13, 2018
**Photo of Karen Sander contributed by Town of Bridgewater
Reported by Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
