CORNWALL, Ontario – A foundation that launched a Cornwall chapter less than three years ago to help local children play organized sports is soon to be no more.
The Max Keeping Foundation will dissolve this summer, it was announced Wednesday morning.
A Cornwall chapter of the foundation, which was announced with much pomp and circumstance in April 2012, is likely to be finished as well, though local officials have made no comment to this point.
The Cornwall chapter of the foundation began with some hefty donations from local firms and agencies, including the Cornwall Police Association ($40,000), the local Children’s Aid Society ($5,000) and Latour Wealth Management ($20,000).
At an Ottawa news conference Wednesday officials with the foundation announced its dissolution.
“As you know, Max’s health has been challenged for some time now as he has been battling cancer. At Max’s direction, would like to announce that we will be closing the Max Keeping Foundation,” read the agency’s website.
Kevin Lajoie, Cornwall’s municipal public information officer, said while the city doesn’t receive any money from the foundation, local families have been referred “to their website to see if they can obtain assistance.”
Cornwall police association president Dave MacLean said his group has “fulfilled” its obligation to the foundation by the end of 2014.
“We had to make a decision about what to do after that,” he said. “Now we won;t have to make that decision.”
In place of the foundation the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario has created the Max Keeping Funds for Kids. The foundation has made a $150,000 donation to the new fund.
Monies raised through this fund will be administered by the CHEO Foundation and will help families who may not have the financial means to cover some of the expenses resulting from their child’s health challenges, the foundation said on its website.
These expenses can be related to travel, lodging, or specialized treatment or equipment that are not covered, or partially covered, by other sources.
Keeping is a retired anchor of CJOH News who has a legendary following in eastern Ontario. His battle with cancer has been well-documented.
