Maria MacMillan Endowment Fund

2014 Award Announcement

Floyd and Ruby MacMillan, in loving memory of their daughter, announce this year’s three recipients of the Maria MacMillan Endowment Fund grants.

The first grant is awarded to the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Unit. It will purchase two beanbag chairs a bookcase and clothing for the patients who arrive in crisis. This is a new six bed unit opened April 1^st and as already cared for over 70 young patients.

The second grant will purchase an iPad for the District and Regional Inpatient Mental Health Units. The use of tablet technology in the delivery of therapy has become more common. Patients are using the tablets for socialization, education, as memory aid and even to manage their moods.

The third grant assisted in funding the Celebrity Speakers’ Series. Bringing Catherine and Valerie Pringle to North Bay to speak about their family experience with mental health challenges, breaking down stigma and changing the attitudes of people towards mental health issues.

Maria was happiest when helping people; a tradition her endowment continues. Her charisma and devotion to excellence was evident throughout her school studies and athletic accomplishments. The endowment serves as both a celebration of her life and a commitment to helping others.

Maria graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nipissing University. She had dreams of devoting her life to helping others through a career in psychology. Sadly this dream was never realized as Maria passed away on May 6, 2006, after a courageous battle with an eating disorder.

Remembered by family and friends as a loving woman, Maria’s mother Ruby explained that the endowment was created to symbolize that her daughter’s life had meaning. Each year a disbursement from the endowment fund is used to support a variety of mental health needs for patients at North Bay Regional Health Centre.