Flemming Sondergaard Memorial Education Endowment Fund
May, 2007 The British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA) and the Flemming Sondergaard Memorial Endowment Fund Committee are pleased to announce the establishment of the Flemming Sondergaard Memorial Education Endowment Fund to provide funding support for individuals who wish to train for careers as professional truck drivers, commercial transport mechanics and diesel engine mechanics.
The Endowment Fund's purpose is to honour the memory of industry leader Flemming Sondergaard through the establishment of an education fund to draw new employees to the transportation industry and address the current human resource shortage. Flemming Sondergaard owned and operated Collins Manufacturing Company Limited and was active in BCTA for over 40 years. He made a lifetime commitment to the trucking industry and to the education and training of industry employees. Flemming served as a volunteer Director and member of the Executive and numerous committees within BCTA. He also served as Chairman of the British Columbia Institute of Technology from 1987 to 1989.
The Endowment Fund Committee's five year goal is to raise a minimum of $250,000. Far surpassing expectations, the committee raised over $130,000 in its first year through the Flemming Sondergaard Memorial Dinner & Reverse Draw, which was held on October 18, 2006. The event was a resounding success, drawing over 300 people and sponsorships from very generous organizations and individuals.
Members of the Flemming Sondergaard Memorial Education Endowment Fund Committee are Jim Beiderwieden and Milena Bileck of Inland Kenworth, Don Durward, Duncan Kendrick of HUB International TOS Limited, Gerry McIlhargy of Colemc Investments Limited, Robin Ross, Jim Williams of Williams Moving & Storage (BC) Limited, and Guff Muench of Cummins Western Canada.
The Endowment Fund Committee and British Columbia Trucking Association would like to thank the following sponsors whose generous donations made the establishment of the endowment fund possible:
Financial Sponsors:
Prize and In-Kind Donations:
The next Flemming Sondergaard Memorial Dinner & Reverse Draw will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at the Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam, BC to continue to raise funds for the endowment fund and industry training entrance awards.