Outstanding Volunteers: Jamie and Patsy Anderson

Jamie and Patsy Anderson are visionary community leaders who have set new benchmarks for fundraising and voluntarism in the fields of mental and paediatric health in Canada. The Andersons’ dedication to their community, their readiness to take on challenges, and their ability to motivate others make them most deserving of this honour.

In 1999, when few business leaders were willing to step up for mental illness, Jamie and Patsy readily joined the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation’s Centred on Hope Campaign which would meet and exceed its goal, raising $11.7 million. Jamie continued his work with CAMH, chairing the Hospital’s Board of Trustees and joining the Foundation’s Board of Directors. He initially agreed to chair, and would subsequently co-chair its successful $100 million Transforming Lives Campaign with Tom Milroy and Michael McCain. A mental health and addiction hospital had never attempted such an ambitious campaign before. This campaign would enable the Hospital to redevelop woefully inadequate patient care buildings and invest in leading research. As Chair of the Transformational Gifts Campaign, he was actively involved in many meetings with prospective donors, making personal phone calls and arranging visits to donors of all giving levels to thank them for their contributions. This was in addition to hosting countless weekly co-chair teleconferences, monthly cabinet and committee meetings, and regular Hospital Trustee and Foundation Board meetings.

Patsy joined the Board of Directors of SickKids Foundation in June 2001 and was appointed to SickKids’ Board of Trustees in 2003. She chaired the Foundation’s Board of Directors from 2006-2011 and led its successful $500 million Believe Campaign. Patsy dedicated herself to personally engaging donors and speaking publically to the wider community about SickKids. Her thoughtful stewardship made donors feel like they were part of an intimate family, and over the course of the Campaign the Foundation’s donor base increased by 60% and attracted two $30 million gifts.

Since 2008, Patsy has also been actively involved in planning and launching a new $200-million campaign to raise funds for the construction of a 21-floor, 750,000 square-foot Research & Learning Tower at SickKids. Under her leadership, the Foundation Board made the bold commitment to issue a $200 million bond offering to support the Tower, which made it possible to begin construction in 2010.

Jamie and Patsy are dream volunteers and devote extraordinary amounts of time and energy to important charities, consistently exceeding expectations. Together, they have inspired others to give in excess of $600 million, in addition to their own significant donations. Patsy is Chair of The Aldeburgh Connection and a Past Chair of Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall, co-chairing the $24 million campaign to enhance Roy Thomson Hall. Jamie is a Past Chair of Outward Bound Canada and Outward Bound International and is a long-time member of the Major Gifts Cabinet of the United Way Toronto. Their remarkable leadership skills have earned them the respect, support and gratitude of their community.

The Andersons were co-nominated for this award by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation and SickKids Foundation.