Amplify

Known for their warm hearts and deep commitment to community, the Millers were beloved figures in Town. They dedicated their lives to making Westlock a better place for everyone. They were community builders.

Albert and Florence spent their days volunteering at local charities, organizing community events, and lending a helping hand to those in need. They were inseparable, their love for each other mirrored by their shared passion for community service.

As the years passed, the Millers acquired a sizable estate. Instead of passing it down to their own family, Albert and Florence had a different vision for their legacy. They wanted to ensure that their beloved town continued to thrive even after they were gone.

In their will, the Millers bequeathed their estate to the Town of Westlock, with a specific stipulation – the funds were to be used to create a Community Foundation. The purpose of this foundation was to support local projects, charities, and initiatives that aimed to enhance the quality of life for Westlock residents.

The news of the Millers' generous gift spread throughout the town like wildfire, and the community was filled with gratitude for the couple's selfless act. The Municipality of Westlock wasted no time in putting Albert and Florence's wishes into action. With the funds from the Miller estate, they established the Westlock Community Foundation.

The Millers' legacy will live on in every project and program funded by the foundation, a reminder of the couple's enduring love for their community.

The Millers' estate will transform into a hub of community activities and projects. Albert and Florence may have left this world, but their spirit will linger in the impact their gift makes for Westlock.

The story of Albert and Florence Miller is a tale of love, generosity, and community spirit that will inspire future generations to give back and make a difference.

The Westlock Literacy and Learning Centre board of directors presented their final funds to the Westlock Community Foundation June 7, totalling $200,684.28. L-R: Town of Westlock mayor Ralph Leriger, Debbie McCoy, Sara Haywood, Simone Wiley, Randy Wold, Westlock Foundation executive director Katie Robertson, Irene Empey, Carol Kassian, Jackie DaCunha, Lynn Proulx, Wayne Peyre, Arla Trueblood, Brian Trueblood, Sue Dougans, Jim Lawrence and Tammy Round.

The Westlock Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous donation of $200,684.28, which will be used to establish the newly created Literacy and Learning Fund. This significant contribution marks a major step forward in supporting educational opportunities and enhancing literacy-related programs and services in Westlock and the surrounding communities.

The Westlock Learning and Literacy Centre’s exceptional generosity will provide a lasting impact on the region's literacy landscape. The Literacy and Learning Fund, made possible by this remarkable donation, will distribute annual grants totaling up to $10,000 to organizations dedicated to promoting literacy, fostering a love for learning, and advancing educational initiatives.

Katie Robertson, the Executive Director of the Westlock Community Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the substantial donation. 

"We are deeply honored to receive this exceptional gift, which will empower us to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals across Westlock and the surrounding areas. The establishment of the Literacy and Learning Fund represents an exciting opportunity to invest in the educational development of our community."

Wayne Peyre, Chair of the Board of Directors, echoed Robertson's sentiments,

"This substantial donation is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our community members to support education and literacy. Through the Literacy and Learning Fund, we can further our mission and empowering our community as a whole."

The Literacy and Learning Fund will accept applications for grants from local organizations that provide literacy-related programs and services, on an annual basis. These grants will help support various initiatives, including but not limited to, adult literacy programs, reading initiatives, and technology-enhanced learning opportunities.

In a heartwarming collaboration, a local social worker and the generosity of 100 Women Who Care, Westlock, have initiated The Compassionate Fund. This remarkable fund is designed to support some of the most vulnerable clients within our healthcare system, who often have little to no prior support.

The Compassionate Fund addresses unique and urgent needs that fall outside the scope of Emergency Social Services, providing essential assistance where it’s needed most. From emergency transportation to specialized medical equipment, this fund is a lifeline for those facing challenging circumstances.

To support this fund, click here. 

In 2024, the Westlock Community Foundation received a generous $26,802 donation from the Westlock Educational Scholarship Society. This substantial contribution now serves as the cornerstone for establishing a new scholarship fund aimed at supporting local students who aspire to pursue post-secondary education or engage in research.

The newly established scholarship fund reflects our community’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities and supporting the youth of Westlock in their academic and professional endeavours. It underscores a shared belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of community support in unlocking the potential of future generations.

Tina Viney, Treasurer of the Westlock Educational Scholarship Society, shared her thoughts on the impact of this collaboration: "It is with great pride that we contribute to the creation of this scholarship fund. Education has the power to change lives, and through this fund, we are delighted to play a part in nurturing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and thinkers. Our society believes in the importance of giving back and supporting our community, and we see this donation as a way to do just that."

The scholarship fund provides financial assistance to students from Westlock who are entering post-secondary institutions or pursuing research projects.

This initiative is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the impact of collective efforts in making a difference in the lives of young individuals. The Westlock Community Foundation and the Westlock Educational Scholarship Society invite the community to join them in supporting this noble cause.

Click here to support the Westlock Educational Scholarship Fund. 

In October 2024, the 100 Women Who Care Westlock created a fund with the Foundation to support the ongoing charitable efforts of the group.

The 100 Women Who Care Westlock is a giving circle practicising ‘collective giving’ where groups of people pool their individual charitable contributions to create a much larger gift, resulting in a greater impact.  100 Women Who Care Westlock bring together individuals who share a common goal – to help local registered charities in need.  The group gathers once a quarter to socialize, network and receive presentations from charities.  Together this giving circle makes a contribution that makes a difference in the community.

The purpose of this Fund will be to support charitable activities or charitable organizations whose activities are within the objects of the Foundation.

For more information on joining 100 Women Who Care - Click here

A Legacy of Love: Honouring Dwight Brown Through Community Giving

In a heartfelt tribute to a life well lived, the Westlock Community Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Dwight and Terry Brown Foundation—a Donor-Advised Fund established with a generous $500,000 endowment contributed over five years. This memorial fund honours the late Dwight Brown and reflects the shared vision he and his wife Terry held: to build a lasting legacy of kindness, connection, and community impact.

For Terry, this fund is more than a philanthropic gesture—it’s a promise to carry forward Dwight’s unwavering belief in the power of generosity. “Dwight believed in the power of kindness and community,” she shared. “This fund is a way to carry forward the values he held dear, while also making a tangible impact in the lives of others. I am honored to create this legacy in his memory, knowing it will continue to support the causes that mattered most to him.”

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) like the Dwight and Terry Brown Foundation provide a meaningful way for individuals and families to shape their giving over time. Working in partnership with the Westlock Community Foundation, donors recommend grants to support local charities, programs, and initiatives that reflect their values and aspirations.

“The Dwight and Terry Brown Foundation is a beautiful example of how our donors can create a meaningful legacy,” said Katie Robertson, Executive Director of the Westlock Community Foundation. “By establishing a Donor-Advised Fund, Terry is honoring her husband’s memory and ensuring their shared dream of helping others, for generations to come. We are deeply grateful for her generosity and vision.”

As Terry begins this next chapter of giving, she’ll work hand-in-hand with the Foundation to guide support toward causes that mattered deeply to both her and Dwight—from youth programs to community health, and everything in between.

The Dwight and Terry Brown Foundation joins a growing family of funds at the Westlock Community Foundation, each one a reminder of the incredible good that can come from love, loss, and the desire to leave the world a little better than we found it.