No one embodied the spirit and vision of Ontario March of Dimes more than Wade Hampton. A WWII flying veteran, Wade came home to Canada to pursue his love of skiing the mountains north of Montreal.
At age 31, on the very day world headlines announced a vaccine to prevent polio, he was carried in an ambulance to join a room full of young children stricken with the disease.
A born fighter, Wade refused to be held back by the effects of polio, and recovered to create an extraordinary career and a rich personal life.
Wade was passionate about the importance of employment for people with disabilities, and eventually became Chief Executive Officer of Operation Reliance Inc., a hugely successful program that helped people with disabilities secure regular employment. It eventually became a model for other programs in training and placing people with disabilities.
Wade continued as a member of our Board of Directors, guiding the organization as a volunteer and serving as president from 1983 to 1985. In later years, Wade was made a Lifetime Member of the Board and the Executive Committee.
In the spirit of Wade's commitment, and in cooperation with the Hampton family, we established the Wade Hampton Memorial Fund. The income earned is used to provide bursaries to people with a disability in Ontario.
Tax deductible contributions to the Wade Hampton Memorial Fund are welcomed.
Wade Hampton Employment Training Bursary recipients include:
- Keagan Crites (2009)
- Theresa Fitzgibbon (2008)
- Bobbie Moore (2007)
- Kitty Squires (2006)
- Ken Silen (2005)
- Susan Sidney (2004)
- Vicki Gilmour (2002)
Eligibility Criteria
The bursary is available to any Ontarian with a physical disability whose plan for professional development incorporates at least one formal training course, and who requires financial assistance to achieve that goal.
The recipient gets $1,500 to be applied to any training or development program that furthers his or her employment opportunities or career goals.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact:
Awards Selection Committee
c/o Executive Assistant
Ontario March of Dimes
10 Overlea Blvd.
Toronto, ON M4H 1A4
Tel: 416-425-3463
Toll-free: 1-800-263-3463
Fax: 416-425-1802
E-mail: awardscommittee@marchofdimes.ca