In Jaimie's memory

Update **** A longer version of this post is available online here. My editors saw this one, asked for more, and Jaimie's family obliged ****

It's been a rough week for politics, one of those  weeks that can make you forget about the good side of the business -- the idealists, the community-building, the genuine desire to help  that drives most people to get involved in political life.

To end this week, then, I'm using this blog to promote a cause. The Jaimie in the headline here, full disclosure,   was the beloved  daughter of some old friends of mine -- Rick Anderson and Michelle  Williams.  She was also the niece, cousin,  granddaughter and friend to a lot of other political people you've heard from over the years.

Jaimie's struggle with cancer, which ended sadly a few months ago, was simultaneously one of the saddest but most inspiring sagas one could ever hope to see.  Jaimie was an optimist about everything, including politics, and her friends and family have come up with a lovely way to keep that part of her alive. I'm printing the idea here in full, with all the contact/donating information, and encourage all to consider helping out. Thanks. 

Three months ago, a brilliant, courageous and passionate young woman lost her life to neuro-endocrine cancer, at the age of 23.

Losing Jaimie Anderson was tragic on many levels. Her brother, sisters, parents, extended family and wide circle of friends feel her absence in their lives tremendously, many hundreds of other people who were aware of her dignified and strenuous fight against her illness were deeply moved.

One of the things Jaimie cared about was politics and public life. She grew up in a family that nurtured this passion, and in the months she was able to work before and during her illness, she had the good fortune to work on Parliament Hill and make a contribution.

In Jaimie’s memory, we are creating what we hope will be an enduring Internship where each year, a deserving young person is given an opportunity to work with a Member of Parliament for six months. The Internship will be non-partisan, and the focus of the work will be on projects to help constituents, and to improve grass roots democracy, two subjects very close to Jaimie’s heart.

We are launching this effort with $10,000 and are aiming to raise at least $50,000 to endow this Internship on a permanent basis. Those wishing to make a personal or corporate contribution may do so as indicated at the bottom of this page. Or please feel free to email either banderson@national.ca or katepurchase@gmail.com with your interest and we will be happy to help with the arrangements. There will also be a fundraising event held this fall to bring people together who want to celebrate Jaimie and this effort in her name.

Your support would be greatly appreciated, and you will be contributing to a worthy cause, in the memory of an exemplary human being.

Thank you,


Bruce Anderson and Peter Mansbridge
Co-Chairs, Advisory Board
The Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship

Advisory Board:
Nancy Jamieson
Rick Anderson
Michelle Williams
Kate Purchase
Erin Anderson
Mollie Anderson
Tyler Anderson

For those wishing to contribute online, click here:

https://mediant.magma.ca/fdnott/donations/

It's incredibly simple to do, takes two minutes and donations over $20 will be eligible for tax receipts issued by the Community Foundation of Ottawa.