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Algonquin Alumnus of the Year Jason Blaine Raises $75,000 for Charity

Five years ago, Jason Blaine asked me to go lunch with him. The Canadian Recording Artist and Algonquin College Alumnus had a vision he wanted to share with me about setting up his own charity in his hometown of Pembroke.

He laid out the plan. It would be a two-day event that would include an 18-hole golf tournament and a concert. He was confident he could call in some favours and bring in other leading country musicians to be part of the event, but he wasn’t sure how much backing he would have in the community.

My first thought was “this is going to be a lot of work.” In fact, I told Jason I really needed to think about it. Another year went by and Jason contacted me again. Another lunch appointment generated a deeper conversation. It was clear, his idea wasn’t going away.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Three years ago the concept was tested when Jason held a nine-and-dine to announce his bigger plans. The tournament quickly sold out and generated a few thousand dollars that became seed money for the launch of the Jason Blaine Charity Golf Classic and Night With the Stars Concert in June of 2014.

With Gord Bamford and Kira Isabella performing along with Jason, businesses, individuals and organizations jumped on board, helping the event raise $50,000 for community groups. That money was distributed to Algonquin College’s capital building campaign for the new Waterfront Campus, the Pembroke Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the Pembroke-Petawawa Community Foundation.

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Building on that success, Jason’s organizing committee went to work on planning the 2015 fundraiser. Tim Hicks, Chad Brownlee and Ben Rutz were secured as the headliners and more sponsors joined the party, resulting in a whopping $75,000 raised. Again, the College and Boys’ and Girls’ Club benefitted, but so did the Pembroke Regional Hospital’s MRI campaign. Jason also committed $5,000 to help pay for Mental Health First Aid training for volunteers and employees of not-for-profit organizations in Renfrew County.

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A few weeks ago, Jason spoke at Algonquin College’s convocation ceremony where he talked about believing in yourself and about the importance of helping others. His message was inspiring. He shared his story of working in a local factory, being nicknamed “Nashville” by some of his co-workers, and about dreaming of hearing his songs on the radio.

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His first step to living his dream was enrolling in a Business program at Algonquin where he learned the entrepreneurial skills he needed to propel his raw musical talent into a career. The strategy worked. He has now had several top hits, but as his celebrity has grown he has remained grounded, never forgetting where he came from.

It’s clear that while Jason Blaine may live in Nashville, Tennessee, his heart remains in the Ottawa Valley.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Algonquin College Waterfront Campus Says Thank You to Community Donors

There are few things in life that are more rewarding than being part of a “game changing” project. That’s how veteran provincial politician John Yakabuski described the building of a new Algonquin College Waterfront Campus when it opened two years ago, but the project would not have gotten off the ground had it not been for the incredible generosity of the communities the college serves.

Recently, the college celebrated the conclusion of its capital campaign when it announced it had exceeded its goal of raising $2.5-million through community donations. The ceremony included the unveiling of a donor wall that captures the names of all of the individuals, businesses and organizations that helped finance the project.

Capital Campaign members in front of donor wall

Capital Campaign Members, Dawn Dube, Lisa Edmonds, Fred Blackstein, Mark Huckabone, President Cheryl Jensen, Dean Karen Davies, Marie Mask and Jamie Bramburger

The financial gifts that were received extended beyond helping pay for the bricks and mortar. There was also more than $300,000 donated for new endowments which support bursaries for students in financial need.

The building of the new campus is an incredible story of determination made possible by a community that understood the importance of having a college within its boundaries. There were many obstacles to overcome to get the project approved, particularly because very little government funding was available to help. Instead, the college turned to the community and its partners to make it happen.

A generous donation of waterfront land by the City of Pembroke was the first step. Then the Algonquin College Students’ Association stepped up with a $4-million commitment to help cover the costs of building a gymnasium and fitness centre, but in the end the donations from within the community and the enthusiasm shown for the project, is what ensured the new campus became a reality.

Dean Karen Davies, Chair Mark Huckabone and President Cheryl Jensen

Dean Karen Davies, Chair Mark Huckabone and President Cheryl Jensen.

Capital campaign Chair, Mark Huckabone, said it best, “For every enthusiastic student that attends this campus, there was an enthusiastic donor that made it happen.” That quotation is printed above the donor wall at the Waterfront Campus and is a daily reminder that the strength of colleges is how they connect to the communities they serve.

Watch the entire capital campaign touchdown ceremony and be inspired!

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs