A philanthropist known for challenging communities to match his donations has a new call out for the Tri-Cities.
Jack Gin — a Burnaby engineer and entrepreneur whose family foundation gives money to causes around the world — this month offered $10,000 over two years to Coquitlam's Place des Arts for its ArtReach summer camp, a free program for kids whose families are in financial need.
The camp, now in its ninth year, costs $10,000 annually and is available to 48 children in grades 1 to 5; it also includes a fully subsidized meal program.
Gin was approached by Place des Arts' board member Steve Kim to support the camp in part.
"I don't like to pay for the whole thing," Gin said from his Whistler home today (Thursday). "I think the community should also be involved."
Over the years, the Jack Gin Family Foundation has mostly targeted charities that focus on women and children's needs. In 2013, he challenged Burnaby residents to reach into their pocket to give to the Burnaby Hospital to pay for a new $20,000 gastroscope; Gin matched half the proceeds.
His family foundation's other gifts have included the Union Gospel Mission (for summer camps for inner city kids); Seymour elementary school in Vancouver (for new playground swings); and the Gilpin Daycare Project in Burnaby (for a new daycare). It also has projects in Asia and Africa.
Gin, who has only donated once to the arts, recalled how his sister as a child benefitted from a summer arts scholarship. "That was really cool for her and for the family," he said.
And he believes his new contribution to ArtReach will help young students keep busy by not having their faces stuck to a computer screen. "They shouldn't be wearing out their thumbs with electrical devices," the father of three grown children said. "We need to get disadvantaged kids outside and engaged and doing things. It's great that an organization like Place des Arts can provide these kinds of programs, and is partially funded by the community."
Place des Arts' executive director Joan McCauley praised Gin for paying for half of the program in 2017 and '18. "By increasing access to quality arts education, we are providing children with the opportunity to learn new skills and, more importantly, to develop 21st century skills such as critical and creative thinking, empathy, collaboration and communication," she said in a news release.
• To donate, call 604-664-1636 or visit online at placedesarts/support-us/donate.aspx.
