During his illness, Mike and his entire
family received overwhelming support from the community and he was determined
to “pay back” that support. During his life Mike was privileged to have
the opportunity to represent his school, his community and his province in his
athletics at the local, Provincial and National levels. He was as proud of Fredericton as anyone
could be.
For that reason his parents established the
Mike Fitzgerald Memorial Fund. Mike was never able to accept that not everyone
had equal access to opportunity and he would often become upset at what he
called the unfairness of that fact. Mike's fund will benefit disadvantaged
youth and seems to be a perfect focus as we carry on with Mike's plan for him.
In 2012 the fund awarded two scholarships and
two bursaries to graduating students at Fredericton high and Leo Hayes. In addition the fund was able to pay the
registration fees for three young competitive basketball players who could not
afford them, and would have otherwise been unable to play. Over the long term the plan for the fund is
to increase both the number of awards granted and the amount of those awards.
The Mike Fitzgerald Memorial Fund is managed
by the Fredericton Community Foundation, a registered charity with an
independent Board of Directors. Community Foundations exist throughout the
country with a mandate to ensure that all citizens
are able to benefit from the best a community can offer: the arts, recreation,
health care, education, safe and inclusive neighbourhoods and a healthy
environment. More information on the Fredericton
Community Foundation can be found here.
Donations
to the Mike Fitzgerald Memorial Fund can be made to:
Fredericton Community Foundation Inc.
390 King Street, Suite 201
Fredericton, NB
Fredericton, NB
E3B 1E3