donor recipients

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We are very pleased to announce our donation to the Sea Smart School Society, a Vancouver based Charity Founded and led by Dr. Elaine Leung, a Marine Biologist with a passion for "getting youth excited about our oceans and empowering them to be environmental champions". Our donation, generously matched by the Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures, will provide a bursary for up to 16 children to attend a one week summer camp in 2024. 

Sea Smart’s summer camps encourage children to explore nature in a safe and fun outdoor environment. From developing scientific skills and identifying cool critters, to conducting research projects - their engaging and friendly Ocean Educators will help them learn about different marine ecosystems and the impact human activity has on them. They’ll walk away with new friends and knowledge, and will be able to help advocate for and protect our oceans so that the next generation can enjoy them, too!

Chris spent hundreds of hours beach combing as a child and he would be so pleased to know that this donation is providing an opportunity for 16 children next summer to explore and learn about our oceanside ecosystem.

In conjunction with The Victoria Foundation, we are pleased to announce our donation to "Athletics for Kids" a Charity that enables young people who require financial assistance to get outside and play. 

Athletics for Kids Financial Assistance (B.C.) Society, known as A4K, was the brainchild of four like-minded businessmen, including A4K Past-President and current A4K Director Craig Knapton, the charity was federally registered and established in 2002.

Since then, A4K continues to grow and thrive every year, and through its history has helped over 12,500 B.C. kids get active in sporting activities.

Together, with the help of individual donors, companies and foundations, they have provided over $2.5 million through over 12,500 Sport4Life Grants. This has enabled thousands of kids to participate in over 55 eligible sports.

In 2022, they served kids in 33 communities across BC with a strategic focus on neighbourhoods like Surrey, Delta and Coquitlam where child poverty rates are high and access to sport is low.

The support of A4K is available province-wide for children ages 5 to 18 who are currently enrolled in school. Basic registration fees are paid for a multitude of approved sports, up to an annual maximum of $450 per child (which is considerably higher than other sport funding charities).

Kidsport Greater Victoria provides grants to children under the age of 18 to help them cover the costs of registration fees and help them to play a season of sport. 

"So all kids can play".

Chris loved to play hockey.  Our donation to Kidsport Greater Victoria in Chris’s memory will be used to reach several local children in financial need and provide them with the opportunity to play recreational hockey.  These are kids who without help, would be limited to the sidelines.  

Parent & Son Experience

“My son is very active, busy, capable, fun AND a little crazy!  He is all boy!  Sports is such a huge part of who he is.  He has natural athletic abilities when it comes to anything involving his body.  His 2 sport of choice are hockey and baseball and his involvement in both are beneficial in so many ways at many levels.  The interaction with energetic kids, the fundamentals of team sport, sportsmanship and the positive influence and role modelling of the great coaches experienced is AMAZING.”

“Hockey has been a passion of mine since a young age. For the last five years all I’ve done is try to convince my parents to let me play and now, finally, thanks to KidSport and their donors I can!”.

We are very pleased to announce our donation to Ocean Ambassadors Canada.

Ocean Ambassadors Canada is a not-for-profit company that is turning the tide of marine pollution by getting students to the ocean, educating them about the threat of plastics and the importance of ocean health, and empowering them to make real change. They provide students in both Victoria and the Lower Mainland of BC with inspiring educational experiences in "on-the-beach" programs. 

The Chris Allan Legacy Fund donation is specifically targeted to underwrite Ocean Camp full day programs for grade 5-7 students in Victoria BC who otherwise would not be able to afford the program. They will spend half of their day learning to paddle and padddling and the other half learning about marine pollution and ocean health on the beach.

We are excited to announce our final donation for 2021 to Scouts Canada - 21st Capilano Scout Group. Chris’ eight-year-old nephew Hudson is a member of the 21st Capilano Scouts and regularly meets with other youth from the Upper Capilano area of North Vancouver, BC. Hudson has been involved with Scouting for 4 years and continues to thrive in an environment that promotes healthy, active living, socialization, leadership and environmental education. At a recent camping trip, Hudson and his peers participated in a canoeing exercise at Alice Lake near Squamish, BC. A highlight of the trip, the canoeing adventure requires additional resources for future scouters. Our donation will enable the 21st Capilano Scouts Group to specifically acquire a brand new canoe, adorned with the Chris Allan Legacy Fund logo, as well as some new paddles and accessories. As a family, we have fond memories of paddling with Chris through Algonquin Park in 2015 and know that he would be thrilled to support his nephew and other Scouts who are learning and exploring in the great outdoors.

The RCAF Foundation Student Scholarships are offered to Canada’s next generation of leaders, and explorers in science and space. Also designed to meet Canada’s rapidly growing demand for skilled people, the scholarships are intended to encourage Canadian youth 25 years of age or younger for studies in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or flight that could lead to future careers in Aviation or Aerospace sectors.

Jeremy Diamond, Founding CEO of the RCAF Foundation said submissions from young Canadians across the country spoke strongly about career aspirations, contributions to these fields of endeavour and to a vision for the future of aviation and aerospace. “Tremendously inspiring,” he said.

WHAT WE DO

Project Canoe provides youth with opportunities to build self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-love through the power of educational and therapeutic outdoor programming. Leveraging the inherently therapeutic power of outdoor spaces, our programs are intentionally designed to support youth in recognizing and building on their own unique strengths, forming meaningful social connections, and raising their perceived limits of what they are capable of. 

Our core program offering is our summer wilderness canoe trip program, which is complimented by programs in Toronto throughout the year, which help youth build upon and carry forward the skills they learned and the friendships they made. 

Project Canoe was founded by Dr. Herb Batt in 1977 and has served over 4000 youth.

OUR IMPACT

A canoe trip provides significant benefits to its participants.  In fact, many of our youth credit their time on canoe trips with making them the people they are today. Youth on trip build environmental awareness, discover new strengths, find greater hope for the future, learn outdoor skills, practice teamwork, and much more."

We are very excited to announce our final donation for 2020 to The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) CPAWS Southern Alberta. CPAWS is Canada’s voice for wilderness. Since 1967, CPAWS Southern Alberta Chapter has led conservation efforts to protect areas in Banff National Park, Kananaskis, the Whaleback and the Castle. They are also a leader in environmental education, offering award-winning programs to help build the next generation of environmental stewards. Our donation is specifically directed to their outdoor education programs which are so important in today's Covid-19 environment.

We are very pleased to announce our heart-felt donation to the Captain Kevin Hagen Memorial Fund. Kevin was one of Canada’s Royal Canadian Air Force pilots who lost his life in the helicopter crash in the Ionian Sea in April 2020 while on a NATO mission. His family in conjunction with his RMC Class of 2011 have established a fund in his honour with the 848 Royal Roads Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron where Kevin was an active member in his youth. The recipient of this annual scholarship will be a cadet from the Squadron with a passion for aviation and the funds will help them further their skills and training in an aviation career. 

Chris would be 100% behind the opportunity to help another young Canadian pursue their dreams in the world of aviation while at the same time honouring one of his fellow pilots in the RCAF.

In these trying times, the Chris Allan Legacy Fund is very pleased to announce a donation to the Cold Lake Food Bank. Cold Lake, Alberta was more than a ‘posting’ to Chris. In true form, Chris embraced all that Cold Lake had to offer, and quickly settled into his new community.  Quick to identify when someone needed help, Chris always took the time to actively listen and support his neighbours where he could. As COVID-19 has swept through the world, our country, and our communities, its devastating impacts have left some more vulnerable than others. The Cold Lake Food Bank has helped so many families on a continual basis in the short time that it has been operating in Cold Lake. The vast area in which it operates and the various initiatives it has spearheaded with many of the local supermarkets and organizations is so impactful. We feel that it is a wonderful initiative to support. 

RCMSAR KIDS DON'T FLOAT PROGRAM CHRIS ALLAN LEGACY FUND 

The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue’s newest Kids Don’t Float PFD Loaner Station located in Port Renfrew at Pacific Gateway Marina is funded by the Chris Allan Legacy Fund held at the Victoria Foundation. Families can enjoy a day on the water together knowing their children are safe having free access to nine loaner lifejackets in their community thanks to your generosity. 

Your Contribution 

Chris Allan Legacy Fund’s charitable donation towards building a new Kids Don’t Float PFD Loaner Station provides children with free access to nine lifejackets located at a busy marina in Port Renfrew popular with many tourists and visiting families. 

Parents and guardians who do not own lifejackets, or do not have appropriately sized PFDs for their children, can simply grab a loaner lifejacket and return it to the Loaner Station at the end of the day so other kids can use them and be safe too. Families can enjoy a day on the water together knowing their children are safe, thanks to you. 

According to the World Health Organization drowning is among the top causes of death for children worldwide. Since its inception in 2003, the Kids Don’t Float (KDF) PFD Loaner Stations across British Columbia have helped to reduce children drowning deaths in our communities. We are proud to include Chris Allan Legacy Fund as partners in water safety. 

Your gift couldn’t come at a better time. 

COVID-19 Impacts on Recreation 

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people in our communities are venturing out on the water and enjoying time in nature. As a result, search and rescue organizations have reported their busiest years on record responding to the public’s calls for help. This is also true for most of our 31 RCMSAR marine search and rescue stations. 

RCMSAR has continued to promote water safety programs like Kids Don’t Float in our local communities during the pandemic and will continue to do so for years to come, thanks to generous partners like you. Having access to water safety equipment like lifejackets allows families to be more active on the water today which will serve to establish a healthy lifestyle for years to come. 

We are grateful that you chose to honour the memory of Chris Allan with a Kids Don’t Float PFD Loaner Station in Port Renfew known for its breathtaking ocean views, majestic beaches and relaxing fishing experiences – a place incredibly meaningful to Chris. 

Project Timeline November 2019 

Charitable Gift is made 

A gift is made by the Chris Allan Legacy Fund through the Victoria Foundation to build a Kids Don’t Float PFD Loaner Station to honour Chris Allan’s memory in a place where he cherished. 

December 2019-January 2020 

Sourcing location 

RCMSAR Headquarters contacts Pacific Gateway Marina in Port Renfrew and engages RCMSAR Station 37 volunteers in Sooke to support the build of a new PFD Loaner Station. 

February-September 2020* 

COVID-19 Impact on Build 

The COVID-19 pandemic closes the Pacific Gateway Marina for a significant period of time and causes intermittent communication access with marina staff; Pacific Gateway Marina under new management. 

October-December 2020* 

RCMSAR Headquarters contacts Pacific Gateway Marina to confirm specific site of Kids Don’t Float PFD Loaner Station. 

January 2021-April 2021 

PFD Loaner Station site confirmed; new Kids Don’t Float sign designed and printed with Chris Allan Legacy Fund’s logo; building materials sourced and acquired. 

May-June 2021 

Chris Allan Legacy Fund’s PFD Loaner Station construction takes place over three site visits and is completed on Friday, June 4, 2021. 

PFD Loaner Station Location 

Approximately 110 KM from downtown Victoria, B.C., your Kids Don’t Float PFD Loaner Station is located at the Pacific Gateway Marina in Port Renfrew which is home to some of the best fishing on Vancouver Island. According to Pacific Gateway Marina, during the summer this popular marina receives up to 1000 visitors a month, many of them families with small children. Hundreds of children visiting this community will have access to lifejackets thanks to the Chris Allan Legacy Fund. 

 We are very pleased to announce a donation to The Seymour Salmonid Society in BC. To say fishing was a hobby of Chris' would be an understatement; it was a core part of who he was and how he lived his life. From a young age, Chris would ride his bike to the north shore and visit the hatcheries, he scheduled his vacation days around optimal fishing conditions on the west coast, and he sought out some of his favourite authors to learn and share in their passions. Chris' fishing practices stemmed from his fundamental belief in maintaining and promoting healthy fishing populations for future generations, which is why supporting the Seymour Salmonoid Society is such a perfect fit. They enhance salmon populations and encourage the sustainable management of fisheries in the Seymour River through a variety of educational programs and volunteer opportunities. Gently down the Seymour provides students with a unique opportunity to expand their understanding of salmon lifecycles through hands on experiences and seeing first hand the role hatcheries play in salmon conservation. We are excited to be supporting these initiatives by promoting healthy salmon habitats and sustainable populations. 

 On this Remembrance Day, and as a tribute from our family to the men and women of 4 Wing Cold Lake, the Chris Allan Legacy Fund has made a donation to the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign to plant 4 trees.
The Tree Campaign is an initiative that aims to plant 2 million trees along a stretch of the 401 highway from Trenton to Toronto designated as the “Highway of Heroes”, a tribute to the men and women who fought for Canada in our wars, and a living memorial to 117,000 who lost their lives for freedom.
This donation is our family’s way to thank the men and women of 4 Wing, along with their families, for all that they do for our country.

November 11th, 2018
Lest we forget

 Angel Flight Society of British Columbia provides free air transportation for cancer patients requiring travel to access treatment at cancer clinics in BC. Volunteer pilots donate their time and their planes to support the effort and should be highly commended. Pictured are Jeff Morris, CEO of Angel Flight and David Allan, Chair of the Chris Allan Legacy Fund celebrating our donation at YYJ. Chris learned to fly at the Victoria Flying Club.

We are excited to announce one more donation from the Chris Allan Legacy Fund to finish our grant allotment for 2017. In selecting The Peninsula Streams Society we combined Chris’ love for fishing and his concern for environmental sustainability with the importance of children’s education. We ticked off a few boxes at once!
The Peninsula Streams Society is based in the Saanich peninsula, outside Victoria, where our family has had a recreational property for over 75 years and it was where Chris’ love of fishing began. Their goal is to “achieve healthy aquatic habitat that supports self-sustaining populations of native species in both freshwater and marine environments. We accomplish this objective through research, restoration, innovative projects, public education and private land stewardship.”
The donation from the Chris Allan Legacy Fund will be directed towards 3 elementary school education programs: Watershed and Salmon Life Cycle (gr 2/3), Connecting Kids to Nature (gr 5) and Creatures of Habitat (gr 6/7). It is a hands-on program that combines the classroom with the outdoors. As a young student in Vancouver, Chris’ grade 5 science class participated in a salmonid enhancement program that concluded with the students releasing the young fry into the local streams. He loved this unit. Perhaps this is where his love of salmon fishing began and our hope is that, in turn, more young kids will develop a love for the outdoors and fishing. We know Chris would be thrilled with this choice and we hope you are too!

The Chris Allan Legacy Fund was extremely proud to support Canada Company’s second annual National Transition exCHANGE on November 15, 2016. This event brought together 70 employer partners and over 200 members of the military community. Through their Military Employment Transition (MET) program, Canada Company supports CAF members transitioning to civilian life by helping them utilize their expertise and unique skill set to find jobs in Corporate Canada. 

On April 19th, the Military Employment Transition Spouse (METSpouse) program launched nationally, providing military spouses with the opportunity to develop and utilize their skill sets to find employment opportunities and career options.  Military spouses face unique challenges when seeking employment; from living in remote areas, to moving every couple of years, and to often being a single parent juggling a military work schedule. The METSpouse program aims to foster career development tools and connect local businesses with these members of the military community. We are thrilled to see the program in action and look forward to following its progression.