Letter to the Editor- Toronto Star
August 28, 2009
Re: “Star Cracks Trust Fund”
To the Editor,
Thank you for publishing the article about the trust fund for the daughters of Christine Ricketts. We are grateful to the Toronto Star and the general public who made such significant donations in 1998 to support Ms. Ricketts’ daughters.
In 1998, the trust funds were set up with the intent to support Ms. Barrett and her sister with their educational pursuits, and to provide resources for their futures. It was agreed at the time that the funds would be held by the Foundation until Ms. Ricketts’ daughters turned 21, with the exception that the fund could be used to provide for their post-secondary education.
The Children’s Aid Foundation was contacted by the Toronto Star with respect to the inquiry regarding these trust funds on August 25th and provided full disclosure that we held the funds to the Star on the morning of August 27th. At no time were the funds “lost.” Each year this fund has been audited as part of our annual audit process, and has been very wisely invested with other endowed funds held by the Foundation. Ms. Barrett’s guardians and the Office of the Children’s Lawyer are fully aware that we hold these funds in trust for Ms. Ricketts’ daughters.
The Children’s Aid Foundation annually helps more than 200 Toronto youth served by the Children’s Aid Societies with their post-secondary education so they can build a successful life for themselves. We are very pleased to hear that Ms. Barrett is pursuing a post-secondary education and that this trust fund will help her in pursuit of her dreams.
Sincerely,
Ann Barnard Ball, CFRE
Executive Director
Children’s Aid Foundation
For any inquires regarding this letter to the Toronto Star, please contact Emily MacKenzie, Marketing & Communications, emackenzie@cafdn.org or 416.923.0924 x230