Legacy Giving Supports Summer Camp Programming in Nova Scotia

For many young people, overnight summer camp is a rite of passage. Campfires, canoes, and crisp, clean country air. It’s a place where new friends, fond memories, and long-lasting connections are made.

Running a camp and maintaining its facilities are costly, however. That’s why The Salvation Army is grateful for generous supporters like The Christina & Hedley Ivany Charitable Foundation that help ensure kids have a safe and meaningful camp experience away from home.

Alan Barkhouse retired from a successful career as a Chartered Professional Accountant many years ago. You would never know it though when walking into the 87-year-old’s home in Halifax. Documents, files, and financial statements have taken up residence in his living room; the television is tuned into the latest financial and investment news. Alan’s passion for numbers continues to hold strong all these years later. He enjoys using his experience and skills to enhance the financial resources of charitable organizations to better serve their constituents.

“Some think I should be out on the golf course right now,” Alan laughs. “But that’s not me. I enjoy doing this. I love helping others and especially working with other like-minded people”.

Creating a Legacy

After his friend Hedley G. Ivany passed away in 2005, Alan was appointed executor of his estate. Hedley cared deeply about people throughout his lifetime and wanted to help those less fortunate after he passed, especially disadvantaged and vulnerable youth.

Hedley held many titles and positions during his lifetime. He was a retired Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy, was once an Alderman and Deputy Mayor of Halifax, former Chairman of Finance, Planning and Safety Committees for the City of Halifax, and was instrumental in the development of Northwood Care, among other pursuits. Hedley was also a devoted member of The Salvation Army and had been his whole life.

At his friend’s request, Alan established a charitable foundation in Hedley and his late wife, Christina’s, name after Hedley passed, and from the beginning served as Chair of a small board. As part of this role, Alan administers requests for financial support from many different organizations, including non-profits like The Salvation Army.

Longstanding Support

For a period of more than 10 years, The Salvation Army’s Scotian Glen Camp, located east of New Glasgow in Nova Scotia, has been the recipient of several large and generous gifts from the Christina & Hedley G. Ivany Charitable Foundation, totaling $270,000. Alan has played a key role in making this happen, with the money going toward camp upgrades and new equipment, including a new BBQ, mattresses, bunk beds, furniture, kitchen upgrades, a John Deere Gator, support for recreational activities such as canoeing, a climbing wall, and zipline, and cabin construction and maintenance.

Alan’s role with the Foundation brings him joy and keeps him grounded in his beliefs, allowing him to continue his lifelong passion for volunteerism.

“I don’t make a cent from doing what I do,” he explains. “I’m a strong believer in volunteerism and supporting others and this work allows me to do that for as long as I’m able”.

The Salvation Army thanks Alan and The Christina & Hedley G. Ivany Charitable Foundation for their support and financial contributions to Scotian Glen Camp, which continues to host hundreds of young people from across the Maritimes each summer.

To learn more about youth programming in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, including summer camp, click here.

To donate to The Salvation Army, click here.

By Deborah Waines-Bauer