by Rubin Kataki, Advancement & Alumni Relations Officer
On Wednesday, November 15th, 2023, United College celebrated National Philanthropy Day. This Canada-wide event celebrates gift-giving and recognizes those who contribute to building a better, healthier, stronger, and more equitable world. On this day, United College celebrated the contributions of donors and supporters, all of whom have and continue to make the college campus community. Celebrated since the 1980’s, National Philanthropy Day recognizes the testimonies of philanthropy and the ways it can transform lives, people, and communities.
This year, United College features a special testimony on how life-long friendships are fostered at United College and can be a cause for celebration and philanthropic support.
On a serendipitous move-in day on September 7th, 1972, United College alum Bill Watson (BA’76) met Marcia Cappell, friend of United College and partner to United College alum, John Capell (OD’74). Bill, John and, through proximity, Marcia, have maintained a close bond and friendship spanning over half a century.
In a recent visit to United College in 2023, Marcia shared “there are good bones here [at United College]”. Through life’s most challenging and celebratory times, the friendships formed as United College students to alumni can serve as a source of joy, support, and foundation in celebrating life’s milestones, mourning the loss of friends and loved ones, and yes, even birthday celebrations! To commemorate over half a century of friendship, Bill decided to make a charitable gift to United College’s Residence Experience Fund on behalf of his friendship with Marcia on Marcia’s birthday.
The United College Residence Experience Fund supports activities and wellness initiatives that bring joy, and growth to the United College community, such as: women’s basketball booster club, the reading room project, musical instruments, art supplies, intramural teams, and student leadership opportunities. Marcia and Bill’s friendship serves as an inspiration and reminder of the importance for the next generation of United College students to stay connected and create community outside of school and work. Making a gift to United College on behalf of a friend or fellow alumni’s birthday is an opportunity to foster a sense of community, support future generations, preserve shared memories, strengthen alumni networks, encourage a culture of giving, and is a unique and thoughtful way to celebrate a special life milestone. On National Philanthropy Day, United College honours testimonies of philanthropy and celebrates how small and meaningful gifts between life-long United College friends can have lasting impact.
