Sandra grew up in Toronto and studied in Montreal. One of her professors at McGill University was author Hugh MacLennan who nourished her love of literature, storytelling, and drama. After graduation, Sandra taught English in Kenya for two years.
While married with a young child and working contract jobs, Sandra found volunteering as an usher at the Belfry (circa 1980) was her ticket to enjoying a wide variety of live theatre. She laughingly recalls that the volunteer seating in those pre-renovation days generally had “the visual obstacle of a pillar in the way.” After landing a full-time government job and with a growing family, Sandra became a Belfry subscriber. Later, switching careers to become an Investment Advisor, she shared her love of the theatre by buying tickets for 30 women clients of all ages to fill the balcony for a performance of the original Mom’s the Word production.
Sandra was inspired to become an annual donor because she feels she receives so much from the Belfry. Some of her favourite Belfry memories over the years include attending: Maggie and Pierre, The Dining Room, Two Pianos Four Hands, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She now cares for her 97-year-old mother who still accompanies her to some shows.
Inclusivity is important to Sandra, and she finds that the Belfry is inclusive in its programming as well as in terms of respect for human beings in general: “That is something I can feel from chatting with staff and board members.”
Last year, in response to the pandemic, Sandra increased her annual donation.
“I felt it was important to keep live actors living. Arts, music, and those kinds of things are often the first to go. The New Incubator Project is important for younger artists; I appreciate taking care of our youth. I appreciate how the Belfry has been part of the community and provides such a variety of offerings from Black History Month events to live dance parties for families with children, and I’m thrilled with the upcoming SPARK films.”
For further information about making a donation to the Belfry, please contact Susan Stevenson, Director of Development at susan.stevenson@belfry.bc.ca or 250-385-6835 ext. 229