Gratitude among friends

Tony Chisolm, president of the Friends of Fort George, is excited to express his gratitude to supporters of the non-profit organization of volunteers who work so hard to support the works of Parks Canada and local historic sites. 

“I ask for something, he says how much,” Chisolm says of the generosity of Doug Rempel and Bosley Real Estate. “And he always reminds me to come back soon.”

Rempel is a sales representative who believes deeply in the inherent and historical beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake. “We can never really ‘own’ Niagara,” he says. “We are simply caretakers of its history and participants in a very special lifestyle.” He also finds it important to focus on education and community, so the students hired by the FoFG for seasonal work at the fort are an ideal initiative for Rempel to support. “It’s all about respecting the impact of what the Friends of Fort George do to continue education,” says Rempel.

“You never know,” he continues, “you sow a seed here and you sow a seed there, and then you’ve fostered something.” The realtor generally donates gift certificates from local restaurants for the silent auction fundraisers held by the FoFG. As Chisolm points out, “This way he’s supporting local businesses, as well as a local non-profit.” Chisholm continues, “He certainly deserves this award, and Bosley certainly deserves this award.”

The plaque presented by Chisolm to Rempel features a dramatic and moody photograph of fog rolling over the ground of the fort seen through the frame of the dark, daunting gates, and will take pride of place on an entryway wall of the Bosley Real Estate office on King Street.

Other top supporters of the Friends of Fort George can expect to receive awards in the weeks and months to come, as Chisolm goes about showing the group’s gratitude to the community.