St. Catharines Club donates $50K to St. Catharines Fallen Firefighters Memorial

St. Catharines Fallen Firefighters Memorial is one step closer to being realized following a $50,000 donation by the St. Catharines Club. 

St. Catharines Club held its "Final Toast" Legacy and Community Event the night of May 29, donating more than $500,000 to nine community groups, including the City.

St. Catharines Fire Services Chief Dave Upper and Ryan Madill, president of St Catharines Professional Firefighters Association Local 485 gave remarks and accepted the cheque, joined by members of the memorial task force, Firefighters and Fire Services staff.

The memorial to be built in the City parkette bordered by Race, Carlisle and McGuire streets will recognize the service of fallen St. Catharines Firefighters.

The St. Catharines Fallen Firefighters Memorial donor campaign launched in 2021. 

Barry and Archie Katzman, the club's board of directors and club members celebrated the near century storied history of the club, originally a meeting place for business leaders and economic change-makers that also served as a community and home to thousands of its members over the years.

After the not-for-profit club was forced to close in 2023, a special board oversaw the sale of its historic club building, determined that any net proceeds should benefit community groups and causes.

St. Catharines Club's Final Toast donation recipients also included these community organizations: Wise Guys, Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold, RAFT, Niagara Children's Centre, Gillian's Place, May Court Club of St. Catharines, Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children, and Hospice Niagara.