How it Started

The Morris-Lowefarm-Rosenort (MLFR) Emergency Medical Fund was started by firefighters and volunteer ambulance members from the surrounding areas wanting to raise money to help a local family pay the costs for their son’s brain surgery. The specialized surgery offered some relief from his suffering.  The funds raised supported the cost of the surgery, the travel overseas for the operation and post surgery care.

The next big event was a request to help a local colony family with the cost of heart surgery after their son’s hockey misadventure. Again firefighters from the communities pulled together to help. Local businesses chipped in with their support and the MLFR Emergency Medical Fund became well established.

The ideal way to manage the fund and enable tax-donation receipts was to be recognized as a not-for-profit or charity by the government. The goal is hard to achieve. The Rural Municipality and Town of Morris have helped the MLFR over the years to manage, but it became more and more difficult, a more permanent solution was needed.

The MLFR Emergency Fund recognized the expertise and value that an organizations like The Morris Area Foundation could provide in managing and distributing charity money.

What it is Today

As of December 2020,  the MLFR appointed The MAF Board of Directors to manage the fund and grant annually a proportion of the money to support initiatives of health and wellness benefiting the area served by the Morris Area Foundation.  Today this fund is now called The Morris Area Health & Wellness Fund.

The MAF will retain contributions in the endowment of the fund in perpetuity and invest them in accordance with its investment policy. During the annual granting process, proceeds will be granted to applicants in proportions as determined suitable by the MAF Board of Directors to support the objectives of the Fund.