A tremendous legacy gift has been presented to the Saskatoon Community Foundation, Royal University Hospital Foundation and St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation on behalf of the late Robert Steane. On Giving Tuesday, the foundations have announced receiving over $10 million to promote the arts, address homelessness, accelerate trauma care, advance mental health and medical imaging, and support end-of-life hospice care. To honour Bob Steane’s gift, a city-wide “Be-A-Bob” awareness campaign and website [beABob.ca] has been launched to encourage everyone to consider giving, volunteering and leaving a legacy in their own way.

His partner of over 30 years Kathy Berg says they were all causes that resonated with Bob Steane. She says it would be his wish for others to donate now or through their estates. but it doesn’t have to be monetary gifts. Berg remembers they met a women at Prairie Hospice events who knitted blankets for residents.

Saskatoon Community Foundation CEO Carm Michealenko says ending homelessness was one of Bob Steane’s passions and feels it’s possible to find safe and appropriate housing for the 275 people in Saskatoon who need shelter.

Royal University Hospital Foundation CEO Arla Gustafson says they are thrilled and pleasantly shocked with the donation and are inspired to carry on his wishes.

Steane was a lifelong volunteer and donor to charities across the city. He often helped at the Lighthouse and Friendship Inn and took part in Unity Way campaigns as well as the Journey Home initiative.