The Yellowknife Community Foundation is excited to announce the receipt of a donation of shares worth $100,000 from Helen and John Parker.
John H. Parker, OC was Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from 1979 to 1989. He also served as Mayor of Yellowknife from 1963 to 1967. Mr. Parker was instrumental in the establishment of responsible government in the NWT. During their time in the north Helen and John Parker were well known for their community work and for the development projects they undertook to help the new Territory grow and prosper.
John, a geological engineer, arrived in Yellowknife in 1954 to work for N W Byrne, a consulting engineer, whose practice he bought in 1963. He was elected to Yellowknife Town Council in 1958. Helen Parker, a social worker, arrived in 1955. She was immediately recruited as a volunteer worker with the Yellowknife Children’s Aid Society which was the only welfare agency in the NWT caring for children in need of protection. It operated until the establishment of federal government welfare services in the early 1960’s. Together, the Parkers were active community volunteers including the beginning of the United Church and the Overture Concert organization.
Mrs. Parker said “It pleases us to know that this donation will be of help to the Yellowknife community which has meant so much to us”. Bronwyn Watters, President of the Yellowknife Community Foundation said “Commissioner and Mrs. Parker were a significant part of the growth and development of our City and the Northwest Territories. This donation represents a continuation of that commitment.” The Parkers’ donation will support charitable works in and around Yellowknife for many years to come.
The Yellowknife Community Foundation was formed in 1993 to provide interested individuals and organizations with a means of supporting projects in our community for the enduring future. The Foundation is not singularly dedicated to any specific area of support. It embodies a simple concept – that people working together can make a difference.
For more information, contact:
Yellowknife Community Foundation
Rosella Stoesz
T: (867) 446 4527
E: info@www.ykcf.ca
