Celebrating Our Volunteers: Leslie Richmond
The spirit of philanthropy is alive and well in the hallways and heart of North York General Hospital (NYGH). All year long, North York General Foundation’s (NYGF) leadership volunteers give their time, expertise, ideas and connections to help advance our philanthropic work forward to benefit patients and families across our communities.
This National Volunteer Week, we are happy to introduce you to Leslie Richmond, a leadership volunteer at NYGF. From being a Board Member to now co-chairing our signature Heart of Fashion event and our new Women in Philanthropy giving circle, volunteering has been a part of Leslie’s life from an early age.
What inspires your work in philanthropy?
Being involved with community work was a significant part of my upbringing. My mother volunteered for many organizations, while her mother (my grandmother) volunteered at Baycrest even at an age when she could have been residing there herself! My late father was heavily involved with many philanthropic organizations, and was the founding Chairman of York Finch Hospital. I have most definitely been influenced by him to become involved in the community, to be passionate about it, and to give philanthropically.
More than anything, though, I am inspired by my five children to lead by example through my volunteerism. I know that each of them has developed a strong appreciation as to how giving back to the community positively impacts lives. I am proud to watch the next generation become involved in different capacities of volunteerism, themselves affecting meaningful change.
What sets NYGH apart for you and what impact has it had on your life?
North York General has had a major impact on my family, across generations. My late father-in-law was both an inpatient and outpatient at the hospital in the latter years of his life. Four out of our five children have also been patients of the hospital, for tonsillectomies to paediatric GI issues, to visits to the Emergency Department. Most recently, my best friend was an inpatient of the Adult Mental Health unit, where he received the most compassionate care imaginable, plus the medical treatment desperately required. I am eternally grateful for the kindness, attentiveness and dedication shown by his medical team.
What inspires your hope for the future?
I am proud to be on the Board of Governors of North York General Hospital’s Foundation, where I am constantly inspired by its many dedicated volunteers and outstanding professionals, and I look forward to a future of continued involvement.
Our newest initiative, Women in Philanthropy, is very important to me and I’m so proud to be the co-chair. Women in Philanthropy collectively empowers women and non-binary changemakers to make meaningful impact at NYGH. Membership donations are pooled together to support a single funding priority within the hospital. For the next two years, Women in Philanthropy will be supporting the redevelopment of the Labour & Delivery and Postpartum units into a revamped Birthing Centre, coming soon to NYGH. Along the way, we’ll have fun while networking with fellow members and leaders across the foundation and hospital.
For more information, on Women in Philanthropy, please visit our web page, or connect with Kylie Mondorf at kylie.mondorf@nygh.on.ca
