Two St. Albert casino magnates will receive one of the city’s top honours this year in recognition of their generous acts.
The City of St. Albert announced Monday that Bruce and Cindy McPherson were the recipients of the 2016 Philanthropy Award.
The award, which is administered through the mayor’s office, recognizes residents who are exceptionally generous in terms of direct financial support and community spirit.
Bruce McPherson is the former owner of the Apex (now Century) Casino in St. Albert. His wife, Cindy, was the casino’s staffing manager.
The McPhersons sold the Apex Casino this summer after running it for about 22 years. During that time, they became known for making substantial contributions to community causes, particularly the St. Albert Kinette Christmas Hamper program and the St. Albert Food Bank.
That reputation of generosity makes them well deserving of this award, said committee chair Mayor Nolan Crouse.
“They are role models of giving.”
The McPhersons have given extensively to many community groups over the years all without much fanfare or self-promotion, Crouse said. Last month, they and staff at Apex Casino gave some $52,000 to groups such as Sidekicks Mentoring, the Salvation Army and St. Albert Public Schools.
“You don’t necessarily see them splashing their name on Rexall Place or the hockey arena. They give money to people who have the need,” Crouse said.
“On behalf of the community, we thank them for giving of their personal resources.”
Bruce McPherson, reached by phone at his second home in B.C., said he got the call from Crouse about the award last week, and was surprised and humbled by the news.
“We believe any successful business in a community should give back to that community,” he said.
McPherson said he and Cindy’s charitable efforts started in earnest about 15 years ago when they started buying hundreds of turkeys for the Kinettes. As their business grew, they took on additional causes, such as the Breakfast for Learning program, Coats for Kids, St. Albert Stop Abuse In Families (SAIF) and, most recently, the Const. Wynn Endowment Fund.
McPherson said he had no idea how much he and the casino had donated over the years. He and Cindy also had no plans to stop giving now that they had retired, and were working with the casino’s new owners to continue its charitable support.
“It’s just the right thing to do as far as we’re concerned.”
The McPhersons have given immense support to the St. Albert Food Bank over the years, said food bank director Suzan Krecsy.
“They would phone every month and say, ‘What is it you need collected?’ ” she said, and would follow through with enormous amounts of whatever they required.
The McPhersons have a really grounded sense of what a community is and well deserve this award, she continued.
“They absolutely define what a philanthropist is. They do it quietly, they don’t want any recognition, and they’re exceedingly generous.”
The McPhersons will receive their award (a commemorative plaque) at a ceremony on Dec. 4 at Red Willow Place, Crouse said.
