FUTURE GIVING

After more than thirty years of creating a cultural home for the queer community, Buddies has experienced another "first" in its long and proud history. In the fall of 2010, two long-time patrons informed us that they had included Buddies in their estate planning providing Buddies with its first ever charitable bequest. Their gift will make a tremendous contribution to the company's health and vitality in the future.

Ed Cabell and Roy Forrester happily agreed to share their thoughts on giving for the future with the hope that others will be inspired to join them in Buddies' newly established Legacy Circle.

Ed and Roy moved to Toronto in 1999 and soon found themselves drawn into the work being done at Buddies. They remember 2001/02 as being their first season at Buddies with Daniel MacIvor's In On It a particular favourite that year. They were also very pleased that Buddies fosters young talent – a subject especially close to their hearts since Ed was the founding Artistic Director of a youth-based theatre alliance in their hometown of Gainesville, Georgia.

Over time, they came to see that Buddies provides the community with an important alternative voice – one that has not been diminished despite growing mainstream acceptance of the LGBT community. Ed and Roy believe strongly in Buddies' mission of providing an artistic forum for the often marginalized voices of our community.

They also recognize that by being outside the mainstream, Buddies faces greater challenges when it comes to fundraising:

"It is up to those of us who believe in Buddies' values and mission to support what is arguably one of Canada's national treasures. Buddies has played and must continue to play a significant role in giving a voice to those who may not otherwise be heard. However, this role can only be fulfilled with the robust and ongoing support of our community." – Ed Cabell & Roy Forrester

In addition to making a charitable bequest, Ed and Roy feel that it is important to continue to make a donation each year. They appreciate the vital role that annual giving plays in providing Buddies with a strong foundation of support for each season's programming activities.

We are very grateful to Ed and Roy for initiating the Legacy Circle at Buddies. And on behalf of the generations of artists, patrons and youth who will benefit from Ed and Roy's thoughtful gift, we extend to them our heartfelt thanks.

If you'd like to receive information about making a charitable bequest to Buddies, please contact lisaj lander, our Director of Development, at 416.975.9130 x23 or lisaj@buddiesinbadtimes.com.

If you have included Buddies in your will, please allow us the opportunity to thank you and recognize your gift by notifying us.