Andrew Dunn Foundation Gives Back
Community support enables battle against mental illness to continue
Bird’s Hill Park Ranch now has a tree and granite memorial stone honouring the young man who, through his battle with depression, inspired the Andrew Dunn Foundation.
Judy Dunn and Brenda Balinski handed over a cheque to the HSC Foundation, money raised through the first-ever Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run (above, right). Pictured are, from left: Judy Dunn, Brenda Balinski, Robert Dunn, and F. Lynn Bishop.
Brenda Balinski of the Andrew Dunn Foundation snapped these two photos of students receiving the foundations awards. Anjelique DaCosta (far left) was honoured at Springfield Collegiate Institute’s graduation ceremoney while Dani Petras took home the honours at Royal Elementary School in Charleswood.
They used to say behind every great man there’s a great woman and, although the expression has generally fallen from grace these days, there are still certain circumstances where no expression could possibly be more appropriate.
Ask anyone who knew and loved him and they’ll proudly tell you the late Andrew Dunn was a great man and his mother, Judy Dunn, holds an equally special place in many hearts. She stood behind her son establishing the Andrew Dunn Foundation and organizing the Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk. Working together with dear friend Brenda Balinski, the two were finally able to witness the first fruits of their labours over the past month.
“On June 20, we were delighted to hand the HSC Foundation a cheque for $13,465,” Dunn explained, noting the money was raised through the first annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run earlier this year. “It was an emotional day, both elated at the success of our first effort and yet devastating at the knowledge of how it all came about. However, with my son Robert and my dear friend Brenda at my side, I made it through one more day and continue keeping my promise to Andrew.”
Dunn went on to detail some of the other work the Andrew Dunn Foundation has been doing, including awarding special honours to two exceptional students who are making a difference in their communities. One student was a Grade 6 graduate of Royal Elementary School in Charleswood, a school the Dunn family is very familiar with.
“We were able to award a sweet little girl, Dani Petras, a teddy bear with a gift certificate and a plaque for her caring and compassion towards her fellow classmates and others at the school - the same school that I attended, as well as Andrew and Robert,” Dunn explained. “Louise Burton, the boys’ Grade 1 teacher, was also in attendance to help present the award. An additional $100 cheque was also handed over to the guidance office and we are hoping to work with them to start an education and awareness program for students, as well as their parents and the teachers, on the devastating affects of depression and learning to spot the signs to successfully treat this disease.”
Balinski noted Petras accomplished a lot during her time at the school.
“Dani never gives up and works very hard. She is fully engaged in school activities, including all the sports and music activities.” Balinski explained. “She was a patrol and a member of the student leadership. She took the baby-sitting course and volunteered during school events to baby-sit small children.”
Less that 24 hours later, it was Anjelique DaCosta’s turn to receive the Andrew Dunn Foundation’s accolades.
“We attended Springfield Collegiate Institute’s graduation ceremony at the Winnipeg Convention Centre and, with Robert at my side and Brenda on camera duty, we were delighted to hand over a cheque for $500 and a plaque to Anjelique DaCosta,” Dunn explained. “The recipient of the award also met the criteria of being caring and compassionate to their fellow students and was chosen by the teachers.”
Balinski was equally impressed with DaCosta.
“Judy and I were both emotional when we heard as Anjelique has been dealing with depression and was brave and honest enough to talk to Manitoba Moments,” Balinski said. “Staff did not even know this. She is an amazing lady. She also helped us at the social by working the door all night with her family - actually, her entire family is amazing!”
Dunn said the emotional experience was only a tiny step but is overjoyed knowing all these tiny steps are moving her in the right direction. She went on to say the Andrew Dunn Foundation has agreed to participate in a radio-thon with the HSC Foundation in November and, also in the last few weeks, honoured Andrew with a special addition to Bird’s Hill Park.
“We just planted Andrew’s tree at the Bird’s Hill Park Ranch, along with a beautiful granite memorial marker donated by Cropo Funeral Chapel,” Dunn said. “The ranch is the location we have decided to go with for our annual walk so as to properly accommodate walkers, joggers, and bicycles, roller blades, even dog walkers, as well as horseback and buggies. With these wonderful facilities in our area, it would be a shame not to take full advantage of them every year.”
The work is satisfying for Dunn and everyone else involved with the Andrew Dunn Foundation but little means more than community support.
“After the SCI ceremony on June 27, I came home with so many feelings, emotions, and thoughts running through me only to have one more moment of tears,” Dunn began. “A lovely young woman came to my door and handed us a generous donation from the Hazelridge Women’s Ball Hockey Team and, yes, we will continue to take any and all donations, great or small, on behalf of the Andrew Dunn Memorial Fund because the battle has only just begun.”
Photos and story by Ryan Crocker, copyright SUN MEDIA
