Maxim Power for HD Kids

I was part of this Chapter. Trevor and I rasied money with them.
Maxim Power for HD Kids

The Huntington Society of Canada’s new
Kids for HD program was a natural fit for
one of Calgary, Alberta’s power producing
companies. Maxim Power Corp has offered
to provide $25,000 annually for the next four
years to help the innovative pilot program
reach children and families living with
Huntington’s disease (HD).

“It’s kids and it’s very consistent with our
whole philosophy on community investment,”
said John Bobenic, President & CEO for
Maxim Power Corp. “What we seek to
find are those charities that are perhaps
less advertised and not as well funded but
specifically provide benefits to children with
challenges – and their families as well – that
can’t access the resources that they
otherwise need.

“It’s about the children and it’s about the
impact that their struggles have on the entire
family unit. That’s a perfect t fit for us and a
very near and dear cause for us.”
Kids for HD is being developed by HSC to
help children adjust and adapt to living
with HD, staying strong throughout the
process. This innovative, world-class effort
will evolve over a three-phase period: Phase
One – research, planning and organization
from November 2008 to February 2009;
Phase Two – programming from February to
October 2009; and Phase Three – evaluation
and a final report in November and
December 2009.

The program will focus on junior high and
high school students ranging in age from 14
to 18 in the Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton
areas. Participants will include children who
have the HD gene and will inevitably show
symptoms during their lifetime (about 600)
and those without the gene whose parents
either have developed HD symptoms or are
at risk of getting the disease (another 1,200).
HSC will consult with experts in the
fields of child psychology and health and
development to assemble materials, explore
a range of delivery options, and then
design, produce and test a comprehensive
program that will introduce children to
HD. The program will be a versatile one,
assisting children who are struggling and
encouraging those who are doing well to do
even better. The second group will be invited
to take leadership roles in creative projects
designed to help strengthen the program and
build leadership skills along the way.
Maxim Power Corp is involved in the
acquisition, development, ownership and
operation of power generation facilities
in Western Canada, the United States and
France. The company began supporting
HSC approximately two years ago through
donations to fundraisers organized by the
Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic, which held a
silent auction on behalf of HSC. When asked
if the company could provide a donation to
the event, Maxim Power Corp generously
handed over a cheque for $5,000 two years
in a row.

Last fall, Paul Evered, Director of Major Gifts
for HSC, and Tara Johnson, the Rotary Club’s
president and a member of HSC’s board of
directors, approached Maxim Power Corp
with the Kids for HD proposal. John didn’t
hesitate to offer the company’s support.
“I credit Tara,” he said. “I think she’s a true
champion and heroine for the cause and
I think she presents such a compelling
opportunity for a company like us to support.
It was an easy decision.”

He hopes that the company’s involvement
will serve as a catalyst, encouraging other
companies and individuals to see the merit
behind the program and offer their support.
“I hope it gets big and I hope it gets the
attention it deserves,” John said.
www.maximumpowercorp.com