Rapid City youth wins national award

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Published on Thursday, November 20, 2014

Carson Burr

By Sheila Runions

      Banner Staff

Nine-year-old Carson Burr of Rapid City has been featured in these pages of the Rivers Banner several times in the past two years. He was born with a heart defect and has been fundraising for Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital for two-thirds of his life (six years).

At age six he took over the fundraising efforts (leaving parents Alex and Richelle who supervised from ages three to five) and he gathered $1,100. The next year was $2,000+, last year $7,000 and this year, a whopping $22,640. In his short life, he has raised more than $41,000 for Children’s Hospital, primarily during the Caring for Kids Radiothon.

Because of these tremendous efforts, Carson was nominated for a National Philanthropy Day award — and he won. The annual awards luncheon was held in Winnipeg on Nov. 14 at Victoria Inn; he was joined by four other winners in different categories. He won Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy and his award was sponsored by The Winnipeg Foundation. 

The luncheon was hosted by AFP Manitoba (Association of Fundraising Professionals); their communications chairperson Lindsay Rayter writes this: An inspiration to children and adults alike, Carson has been through many obstacles yet has still come out on top. After a stay at the Children’s Hospital, Carson has used his health challenges to become an advocate and successful fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. His fundraisers have generated over $41,000 and have made a tremendous impact on children all over Manitoba. 

The awards are held to “celebrate those who are making an impact in our community and on the mission of many different organizations. Not only do these award recipients raise awareness and funds for our communities, they exemplify what philanthropy means.”

AFP represents more than 30,000 members in 233 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. AFP Manitoba received many nominations or the 2014 National Philanthropy Day Awards.

“We are so grateful to the incredible number of people who are committed to recognizing donors, volunteers and supporters of their agencies,” says Rayter. “As our province continues to grow and develop, we look forward to seeing the diverse, enthusiastic and talented nominees for years to come.”