It was not, at the very outset, the easiest discussion.
But it was a necessary one — the catalyst for a process that is somewhat comparable to making a will.
With the wide-ranging, long-term benefits in mind, Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation Executive Director Cindy Fuchs reached out to iconic fullback George Reed a few years ago.
“It was a tough conversation to have with George, because nobody wants to talk about something like that, but it was also a great conversation to have,” Fuchs recalls.
“We knew, he knew and his family knew that his legacy would live on.”
And it does, in many ways — the recently introduced George Reed Legacy Fund being a prime example.
Reed, who was one day shy of his 84th birthday when he passed away on Oct. 1, was renowned and celebrated for his tireless devotion to the community and to numerous charitable endeavours.
The George Reed Foundation, for example, helped disabled, disadvantaged or disengaged members of our society become productive and proud while reaching their potential.
Special Olympics, which Reed helped to bring to Saskatchewan in 1974, was one of his favourite causes.
He also had a close relationship with the staff and students at Regina-based Mother Teresa Middle School, where students are empowered to embrace their personal and cultural identity while overcoming any obstacles they may encounter.
As the dialogue with Fuchs continued, the Roughriders’ legendary No. 34 decided that Special Olympics Saskatchewan and Mother Teresa Middle School would be the beneficiaries of the George Reed Legacy Fund after his passing.
One of the first steps was to initiate the process of winding down the George Reed Foundation, which had been established in 1975.
Reed and members of his foundation’s board were involved in the process that led from one foundation to another.
“They did great work as a volunteer board,” Fuchs says, “and they did a lot with George.”
The Foundation’s website now invites people to support the George Reed Legacy Fund and assist the community in his honour.
All of this unfolded in collaboration with Reed, his wife Angie and their daughter Georgette.
“We said, ‘What could the Foundation — the charitable arm of the football club — do to make sure George Reed’s legacy lives on?’ ” Fuchs recalls.
“We said, ‘We just want to know what your wishes are. You’ve done so much in this community. Your wishes with your family are your business. With your wishes in the community, maybe we — with the Roughrider Foundation — can help that happen.’
“We opened up the conversation fairly carefully. We said, ‘We just want to give you a way. It’s up to you. You don’t have to.’
“The George Reed Foundation board could have continued on if they wanted to. He brought in some of his board members and talked to them.
“It was probably a good year, a year and a bit, that he thought about it. We met with him a few times. We weren’t rushing him.
“It was his life and his legacy, not ours. We were just trying to make it easy for that to continue.”
As part of the process, Fuchs interacted with representatives of the organizations that stood to benefit from the George Reed Legacy Fund.
“I met with Special O and with Mother Teresa and asked, ‘How would you feel about a legacy going on?’ ” Fuchs says.
“Absolutely, they loved that, so we ended up with friendships with another two organizations that were close to his heart.
“Great relationships with both of those evolved during our time of talking about George Reed and his legacy.”
The Legacy Fund will be drawn upon once a year to assist Special Olympics Saskatchewan and Mother Teresa Middle School. The financial benefits will continue as long as money remains in the Fund.
“The Fund is open,” Fuchs says. “If people want to give a gift at any time, they can make a donation.
“He lives on in our community through his charitable wishes.”
To donate to the George Reed Legacy Fund, please visit https://give-can.keela.co/saskatchewan-roughrider-foundation-donation-form and click on the “Donate To” tab to direct your contribution to the desired recipient.
