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HELENE MACKENZIE was a charter member of the Quota Club of Hamilton and served as their President. Helene was the First Governor of District 18 when she took over on short notice when District 18 was established. Until that time, Ontario Quotarians had been members of District 17. It was the general concensus of Quotarians both in the United States and Canada that she was the most competent person to start the new District. She was a dedicated Quotarian and did considerable organizational work within the District.
At the time of her death in the mid seventies, her very good friend, Dorothy Milligan started an " In Memorium" fund to honour her memory. Donations were given for several years to this fund.
In 1982, the present trust Fund entitled THE HELENE MACKENZIE AND PAST GOVERNORS OF QUOTA DISTRICT 18 TRUST FUND was established, trustees appointed and guidelines were set.
The HMTF provides bursaries to students who are enrolled in the ASL Interpreter Program as well and those students enrolled in the Deaf Blind Intervenor Program. Students from across Canada apply annually. Applicants must fall within the guidleines of the bursary application. Consideration is also given to organizations who serve the needs of the deaf and deaf blind within Canada.
In 1989-1990 we distributed $10,000.00 to the Canadian Hearing Society for the production of the signing videos in the Vista Program. We have in the past given to Canadian students studying at Gallaudet College in Washington D.C. Donations are made to deaf seniors and youth, to the Rumball Camp for the Deaf, the Bob Rumball Long Term Home for the Deaf, and Mayfest in Toronto. In the past few years we have mostly concentrated our efforts on our Bursary program of donating five, one thousand dollar bursaries to second year and up students in the interpreter programs of accredited colleges.
We sinerely thank those who have provided continued support to the Helene Mackenzie Trust Fund. You have helped us make a difference in the lives of a deaf person.
Monetary gifts should be sent to the Helene Mackenzie Trust Fund, in care of the Treasurer, and all correspondence should be addressed to the Suzanne Prosser, Past Canada Area Director, 4435 Burnside Line, P.O. Box 20056, Orillia, On L3V 7X9.
