
When J. Laurie Johnston was studying to be a pharmacist, he was worried he was going to have to drop out because he didn’t have enough money for tuition. A family friend gave him $200 – equivalent to $2,800 today – with a condition: “Do this for someone else some day.”
That day has come.
Today, Johnston announced a $1 million gift to be split evenly between Misericordia and Riverview Health Centre Foundations.
Johnston, a self-described child of the Depression, is still haunted by images of his mother feeding the homeless who knocked at his back door in Regina when he was growing up.
Johnston has always given as generously as his circumstances would allow, but wasn’t convinced that was enough. About 35 years ago he decided to quietly build a special legacy fund.
When he reached his $1 million goal, he began a search for a suitable charity. He found he couldn’t choose just one, so Johnston chose two!
“I have put my trust in the PRIME program at Misericordia and the palliative care program at Riverview,” said Johnston. “PRIME, a day health centre for seniors, is designed to keep an aging population healthy and in their own homes.
“Riverview’s excellent palliative care program exemplifies something I have always believed in, a comfortable and dignified death.
That day has come.
Today, Johnston announced a $1 million gift to be split evenly between Misericordia and Riverview Health Centre Foundations.
Johnston, a self-described child of the Depression, is still haunted by images of his mother feeding the homeless who knocked at his back door in Regina when he was growing up.
Johnston has always given as generously as his circumstances would allow, but wasn’t convinced that was enough. About 35 years ago he decided to quietly build a special legacy fund.
When he reached his $1 million goal, he began a search for a suitable charity. He found he couldn’t choose just one, so Johnston chose two!
“I have put my trust in the PRIME program at Misericordia and the palliative care program at Riverview,” said Johnston. “PRIME, a day health centre for seniors, is designed to keep an aging population healthy and in their own homes.
“Riverview’s excellent palliative care program exemplifies something I have always believed in, a comfortable and dignified death.