1999 Award Recipients

Mr. James and
Mrs. Sandra Pitblado

Sandra and Jim Pitblado have demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to a variety of organizations throughout Southern Ontario.

Their steadfast support of the Hospital for Sick Children date back over a 20 year period. Jim has been a member of the Hospital's Board of Trustees since 1979, serving as Chairman since 1992, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation 1992. Jim and Sandra's numerous donations over they years include a major contribution to the 1986 campaign to raise funds for the new Atrium, and one of the largest personal philanthropic commitments in Sick Kid's history as part of the recent Help Make Sick Kids Better campaign. This contribution resulted in the establishment of the Pitblado Chair in Cell Biology, the Hospital's first academic research Chair in basic science.

The Pitblados have been instrumental in supporting the growth of the National ballet of Canada for more than ten years, with Jim serving as Chairman of the Board from 1990 to 1997. Their giving includes capital projects such as helping to underwrite the new production of The Nutcracker for the 1995/1996 season, supporting the establishment of the new Walter Carson Centre rehearsal facility, and making significant commitments to the Company's annual campaigns and Endowment Fund. Jim is currently a Director of the National Ballet Foundation.

Sandra has been a Governor of the Stratford Festival since 1989. She has been a committee member of the Stratford Express, a member of all standing committees, Vice Chairman of the highly successful Act III capital campaign, and will become President of the Festival's Board of Governors in December 1999. From 199o to 1998, Sandra was a member of the Board of the critically acclaimed Tarragon Theatre, serving as it's President for six years. Both organizations through the years have benefited from the Pitblado's ongoing financial support.

The Pitblado's were nominated jointly by the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, The National Ballet of Canada, The Stratford Festival and the Tarragon Theatre for this year's Outstanding Philanthropist Award.