Campaign Newsletter

Spring 2009

The most
successful
cultural campaign
in
Canada
Donors to Renaissance ROM are playing a personal role in shaping the future cultural landscape of Toronto,
and are transforming the Museum by unlocking the enormous potential contained in its wonderful
collections, galleries, programs and buildings. The ROM wishes to thank and acknowledge the following
donors for gifts of $25,000 or more to Renaissance ROM and related projects as of April 2009.
CORNERSTONE GIFTS
$30,000,000 and above
Government of Canada
Government of Ontario
Michael Lee-Chin
TRANSFORMING GIFTS
$10 million - $29,999,999
Jack Cockwell and Lynda Hamilton
Schad Family
Teck Resources Limited
James and Louise Temerty
Hilary and Galen Weston
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
PRINCIPAL GIFTS
$5 million - $9,999,999
Shreyas and Mina Ajmera
Thor and Nicole Eaton
Elizabeth Samuel
Alex and Simona Shnaider
Joey and Toby Tanenbaum
LEADERSHIP GIFTS
$1 million - $4,999,999
Rudolph P. Bratty & Family
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
CIBC
John and Merrilyn Driscoll
W. Robert Farquharson & Family
The Globe and Mail
William and Patricia Harris
Ian Ihnatowycz and Marta Witer /
Ukrainian Canadian Community
Jennifer Ivey Bannock / Ivey
Foundation
Patrick and Barbara Keenan &
Family
Loblaw Companies Limited
Manulife Financial
Judy and Wilmot Matthews
Mr. G. Wallace and Hon.
Margaret Norrie McCain
The R. Samuel McLaughlin
Foundation
Peter and Melanie Munk
Sir Christopher Ondaatje, O.C., CBE
Power Corporation of Canada
RBC Foundation
Wendy and Leslie Rebanks
Ernest and Flavia Redelmeier
Nita and Donald Reed
ROM Department of Museum
Volunteers
Scotiabank Group
Sigmund Samuel Gallery Fund
St. Joseph Communications
TD Bank Financial Group
Shokokai
Richard Wernham and Julia West
Red and Brenda Wilson
Alfred G. Wirth
Anonymous (4)
FOUNDING GIFTS
$250,000 - $999,999
Bram and Bluma Appel
ArcelorMittal Dofasco Inc.
Shirley and Edward Barr
Roloff Beny Foundation
BMO Financial Group
Canon Canada Inc.
Cargill Meat Solutions
Jeanne Timmins Costello Trust
De Beers Canada Inc.
Department of Canadian Heritage -
Virtual Museum of Canada
Fredrik S. Eaton
Murray Frum and Nancy Lockhart
GE Canada
Government of Ontario - Ministry
of Culture Capital Rehabilitation
Fund
Embassy of Greece
Adrian Hartog and Jasmine
Vujasinovic Hartog
Alexandra and Julia Holgate
Philip N. Holtby
Honda Canada Inc.
Upcoming Events
Chairmen’s Reception
June 23, 2009 (by invitation)
This annual event celebrates philanthropy at the ROM,
thanking and recognizing those donors, patrons, sponsors
and volunteers who have generously contributed their
financial support and considerable time to making the
ROM one of the world’s great museums. This year marks
the 25th anniversary of the Royal Patrons’ Circle, the
ROM’s annual giving program that combines ROM
Membership with a long tradition of philanthropy. Guests
will also have the first opportunity to preview the exhibition
Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World.
HSBC Bank Canada
John Hunkin and Susan Crocker
Irving Tissue
Estate of Beryl Ivey
Richard M. Ivey and Beryl Ivey
Tom Kierans and Mary Janigan
Kruger Products Limited
Estate of Campbell Alexander
Leckie
A. G. Leventis Foundation
Linamar Corporation
Magna International Inc.
Maple Leaf Foods
Estate of Dorothy Muriel Matson
Brenda and James McCutcheon
Audrey and David Mirvish
Mitsui & Co., (Canada) Ltd.
Nienkämper Furniture
Robert E. Pierce & Family
Assuntino and Angelina Ricciuto
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust
La Fondation Sackler (The Sackler
Foundation)
Sony Canada
Estate of Henrietta E. Stevenson
The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation
Toyota Canada Inc.
Vale Inco Limited
W Studio Carpets & Alan Pourvakil
Estate of Isabel Carey Warne
John J. Wood
MAJOR GIFTS
$100,000 - $249,999
Arius3D Canada
James C. Baillie
Marilyn and Charles Baillie
Bell Canada
Better Beef
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Fran and Lawrence Bloomberg
Jean-Raymond Boulle
Campbell Company of Canada
Cascades Tissue Group
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc.
Commemorative Organization for
the Japan World Exposition (‘70)
Cultural Spaces Canada Program
David Chapman’s Ice Cream Limited
Dimitra and Michael Davidson &
Family
The DeGasperis Family
Glenna and George Fierheller
General Mills Canada
Bob and Irene Gillespie
Ira Gluskin and Maxine Granovsky-
Gluskin
The Hon. Edwin A. Goodman and
M. Joan Thompson
H.J. Heinz Company of Canada Ltd.
Hauser Industries Inc.
Higgins & Burke Tea & Coffee
Richard and Martha Hogarth
Margo and Ernest Howard
Inmet Mining Corporation
Rosamond Ivey
Suzanne Ivey Cook
Lassonde Industries Inc.
Anne Y. Lindsey
Linda and Steve Lowden
John and Gail MacNaughton
Marsan Foods
The McLean Foundation
Marion Megill Trust
The Catherine & Maxwell Meighen
Foundation
Metro Label Company Ltd. &
The Lal Family
Ministry of Natural Resources
The Muzzo Family
Panasonic Canada Inc.
Hilda McLaughlin Pangman
Mrs. Rosemary Rathgeb
John and Elizabeth Rhind
Alfredo and Moira Romano
Richard Rooney and Laura Dinner
The Salamander Foundation
Paula and Rudolph Schury
Sorrell Financial Inc.
Teradata - a division of NCR
Mr. William Thorsell
John and Liz Tory
Trillion Financial Group - Kalano
Y.L. Jang
Rita Tsang
Elizabeth M. Walter
Weston Foods Canada
Sharon Zuckerman
Anonymous (3)
SPECIAL GIFTS
$25,000 - $99,999
Aird & Berlis LLP
Mark and Gail Appel
Tony and Anne Arrell
Baker Real Estate Corporation &
Invar Building Corporation
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi (Canada)
Robert Barnett and Leslie
Montgomery
J.P. Bickell Foundation
Blaney McMurtry LLP
John and Nancy Bligh
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Mary & Murray Bosley
Burgundy Asset Management Ltd.
Burnbrae Farms Limited
Centennial Foods
The Albert C. W. Chan Foundation
Dr. Martin Chepesiuk and
Ms. Halyna Perun
CIBC Mellon
City of Toronto
ConAgra Foods Canada
Compass Canada
The Estelle Craig Family Trust
Estate of Lucille R. Davies
Michael and Honor de Pencier
Deloitte
DENSO Manufacturing Canada, Inc.
Michael Detlefsen and Louise
Le Beau
Dorie Dohrenwend
The Dubczak Family
Dupont Corian / The Willis Group
E.D. Smith & Sons, Limited
El-En Packaging Company Limited
Andrew Faas
Anna-Liisa and Graham Farquharson
Farrow & Ball
Dr. Madeline M. Field
First Gulf Corporation
Lloyd and Gladys Fogler
Robert and Julia Foster
Dr. Marian Fowler
Franklin Templeton Investments
Frito Lay Canada
Genuine Health
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
John and Judith Grant
H. Donald Guthrie, Q.C.
Jean and Ken Harrigan
The Haynes-Connell Foundation
Hino Motors Canada
Hitachi Canada Ltd.
John E. Horton and Family
Mr. and Mrs. W.B.G. Humphries
Hussmann Canada Inc.
Ice River Springs Water Co.
Interforest Ltd.
The Ippolito Family
J & D Produce, Inc., Edinburg,
Texas
Peter and Peggy Janson
The Jarislowsky Foundation
JNE Consulting Ltd.
JVC Canada Inc.
Kellogg Canada Inc.
Arthur P. Kennedy
Vera and Albert Kircheis
KPMG LLP
Kroll Computer Systems Inc.
Charles and Jane Kucey & Family
Ihor and Valentina Kuryliw
The S E Lam Family Foundation
Culture Shock: Celebrity Watch
September 23, 2009
Tickets: $500 each
Join the Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the
ROM for the second annual Culture Shock event themed
Celebrity Watch—an unforgettable film and fame
fundraiser, produced in association with Filminute—the
one minute online film festival. Enjoy a sneak peek of
Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913–2008,
a stunning star-studded exhibition of celebrity portraiture!
All proceeds support the ICC Endowment Fund.
Contact Kirsten Kamper at 416.586.8064 or
kirstenk@rom.on.ca for tickets.
Jack and Catherine Leitch
Dr. and Mrs. K. K. Leung
Michelle & Michael Levy Family
Foundation
Myrna Lo
Wah Chee and Elsie Lo
Susanne and Charles Loewen
Mastronardi Produce Ltd.
Mazda Canada Inc.
McCarthy Tétrault
Robert R. McEwen
Paul and Martha McLean
Jack and Vodrie McOuat
Merrill Lynch
Eleanor and Jack Mintz
Mizuho Corporate Bank (Canada)
The Honourable Robert S. and
Dixie Anne Montgomery
Murphy’s Food Sales & Marketing
Nestlé Canada Inc.
The Nielsen Company
Nissan Canada Inc.
Olymel, S.E.C./L.P.
Ontario Potato and O.P.D.I.
Logistics
Mr. John G.B. and Mrs. Deanne Orr
David and Bernadette Palmer
Roger and Maureen Parkinson
PCL Packaging Corporation
Pepsi QTG Canada
Piller Sausage & Delicatessens Ltd.
Dr. Lloyd M. Piszel
Zenon and Sonia Potichnyj
Mary Jean and Frank Potter
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Procter & Gamble Inc.
Joan R. Randall
In memory of Elizabeth Rhind
Estate of Norma Ruth Ridley
Mrs. Norman S. Robertson
Rosenbloom Groupe Inc.
Rotman Family
Arthur and Mary Sawchuk
Lionel and Carol Schipper
Shinkikai (Association of Japanese
Canadian Businesses &
Professionals)
Shiu Pong Group of Companies
Shoppers Home Health Care
SMBC Global Foundation Inc.
St. Helen’s Meat Packers Limited &
Lazar Yitzchok Kosher Meats
Barbara L. Steele
Estate of Donald and Frances
Strudley
StuCor Construction Ltd.
Sumitomo Canada Ltd.
Symbol Technologies Canada, ULC
TD Friends of the Environment
Teknion Corporation
Thomas, Large & Singer Inc.
Toronto Cathay Lions Club
Toronto Elegant Lions Club
Toshiba of Canada Limited
Towers Perrin
Toyota Financial Services/Lexus
Financial Services
Turner Fleischer Architects Inc.
UFJ Bank Canada
Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of
Taras Shevchenko
Unisource Canada Inc.
Vanbots Construction
Phyllis and William Waters
Gary and Heidi Weddel
Dr. Fred Weinberg and Mrs. Joy
Cherry Weinberg
Western Creamery
Donald and Sally Wright
Roman (Moko) Wynnyckyj and
Maria Lialka
Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.
John Yaremko, Q.C. and Mary A.
Yaremko
Simon and Jan Zucker & Family
Anonymous (3)
The Renaissance ROM Campaign Cabinet is a
diverse and inclusive body, broadly representing
the vibrant communities the Museum serves, and
striving to engage the world through the wonder
of natural history and world cultures.
CAMPAIGN EXECUTIVE Honorary Patron
The Hon. Hilary M. Weston HIH Princess Takamado
Chair
Mr. Rudolph P. Bratty Honorary Cabinet Members
Senior Partner Dimitris Azemopoulos
Message from
Bratty and Partners LLP Consul General
Consulate General of Greece
Mr. Jack Cockwell
Group Chairman
Ms. Penelope Erotokritou
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Consul General
Ms. Linda Hasenfratz Consulate General of the Republic
CEO of Cyprus
Linamar Corporation Mr. Ji In Hong
Mr. John S. Hunkin Consul General
the president
Former President & CEO Consulate General of the Republic
CIBC of Korea
Mr. Michael Lee-Chin Mr. Tassaduq Hussain
Chairman Consul General
Portland Holdings Inc. Consulate General of Pakistan
Mr. G. Wallace McCain Mr. Bandula Jayasekara
Chairman Consul General
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka
Mr. James. W. McCutcheon
Mr. Koichi Kawakami
Mr. Joseph M. Tanenbaum
Consul General
Chairman & CEO
Jay-M Holdings Limited Consulate General of Japan
Mrs. Priti Saran
Mr. James Temerty
Consul General
Chairman
Northland Power Inc. Consulate General of India
I
Mr. William Thorsell Dr. Kunjar M. Sharma
Honorary Consul General
Director & CEO
Royal Ontario Museum Royal Nepalese Consulate General hope you are reading this near a window the $280 million fundraising mark, officially
Ms. Maureen Siu
Ms. Rita Tsang
President & Chief Executive Director, Toronto somewhere, watching our world come alive making it the most successful cultural campaign
Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office
Tour East Holidays Inc.
Mr. T.T. Tsui
after such a long and cold winter. The month in Canadian history. I would like to personally
Wanchai, Hong Kong of May reminds me that the world begins anew thank each one of you for getting us this far;
Madame Zhu Taoying
Consul General again and here at the ROM, we are celebrating the your steady passion, commitment and support for
People’s Republic of China, Toronto
diversity of life this spring with the opening of the Renaissance ROM has been an inspiration to me
inspirational Schad Gallery of Biodiversity on May and our entire team here at the ROM Governors.
CAMPAIGN CABINET Dr. Jack M. Mintz
Mr. Shreyas Ajmera Palmer Chair in Public Policy 16, 2009. A profile of Robert and Elizabeth Schad As we enter the final months of fundraising
President University of Calgary
Seenergy Foods Ltd. Mr. David Mirvish
is featured in this newsletter. As you will read, their for the campaign, the Countdown to Completion
Ms. Jennifer Ivey Bannock President commitment to the environment and passion for Task Force, ROM Governors staff, and many other
Director Mirvish Productions
Ivey Foundation Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell action-oriented philanthropy is truly motivational. volunteers are focused on raising funds to complete
Mr. Joe F. Brennan President
President Department of Museum Volunteers (ROM) Looking back at the events over the last four the final phase of Renaissance ROM. We hope
J. F. Brennan Design/Build Inc. Dr. Elizabeth Muir
Past President
months, I am amazed at some of the ‘firsts’ we have you will consider making a gift, however large
Hon. David Crombie
President & CEO Department of Museum Volunteers (ROM) experienced here at the Museum. In December, or small, or additional donation to the campaign,
Canadian Urban Institute Mr. Manabu Nishimae
Hon. William G. Davis President & Director we celebrated the opening of the Teck Suite of as we need your support now more than ever
Honda Canda Inc.
Counsel
Torys LLP
Galleries: Earth’s Treasures. This suite includes the to reach the top of the “fundraising summit.”
Mr. Kazuto Ogawa
Mr. Michael E. Detlefsen President & CEO Vale Inco Limited Gallery of Minerals with more By the end of June 2009 we will celebrate
Co-Managing Director Canon Canada Inc.
Muir Detlefsen & Associates Mr. Perukazu Okahashi than 2,000 remarkable specimens, the spectacular and reflect on the success of Renaissance
President & CEO
Mr. Roman Dubczak
Mitsui & Co (Canada) Ltd.
Gallery of Gems and Gold and the Canadian Mining ROM and its incredible legacy.
Managing Director, Equity Capital
Markets Mr. Peter Oliver Hall of Fame Gallery. The Teck Suite of Galleries Thank you again for being part of this
CIBC World Markets Partner
Mr. Robert T. Gillespie Oliver-Bonacini Restaurants also marks a new ‘digital’ first for the ROM, as it transformational campaign. As we gear towards
President
Gilvest Inc.
Mrs. Deanne M. Orr
Co-Chair, Bishop White Committee
introduces a new system of e-labelling that adds the triumphant completion of Renaissance
Dr. Natasha Gurevich Royal Ontario Museum a considerable depth of additional information ROM, it is definitely our time in the sun.
Mr. Robert E. Pierce
Mr. Kenneth W. Harrigan
Chairman Partner about our specimens. We continue to receive
Stonegate Private Counsel LP
K.W. Harrigan Consultants
Mr. Frank Potter
extraordinary feedback from both guests and staff
Mrs. Patricia Harris
Mr. William B. Harris
Chairman alike on this engaging new element at the ROM.
Emerging Markets Advisors Inc.
Ms. Gwen Harvey We enjoyed our most successful March Break
President
Ms. Jean M. Read Dr. Marie Bountrogianni
Jean M. Read Dispute Resolution
BridgeWater Family Wealth Services ever with over 70,000 families experiencing the
Management Inc. Mr. John A. Rhind
Mrs. Martha J. Hogarth Ms. Irene So wonderful activities that were on hand to entertain
Senior Vice President
Ms. Donna Ihnatowycz
RBC Dominion Securities our younger visitors. On March 22, 2009, we also
President
Affinity Resource Management Mr. Suresh Thakrar welcomed our one millionth visitor of the fiscal year.
Vice President
The Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman
President
RBC Financial Group In this season of springtime and re-birth, it is
Mr. Yoichi Tomihara
Hal Jackman Foundation
President & CEO
also a season of new beginnings here at the ROM
Mr. Peter S. Janson
Corporate Director
Toyota Canada Inc. Governors office, as we move closer to the end of
Mrs. Harriet Walker
Mr. Chris Jordan
President & CEO
President the Renaissance ROM Campaign. We look forward
Harriet Walker & Associates
Young & Rubicam Advertising Canada
Mr. V. Prem Watsa
to the start of a new era and supporting innovative
Mr. Bipin Khimasia
CEO
Chairman & CEO and exciting initiatives on behalf of the Museum.
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
Sigma Capital Management Group Inc.
Mr. Richard S. Wernham It is my great pleasure to inform you that
Mr. Thomas E. Kierans
President
Mr. Stanley P. Kwan Soutterham Investments Limited the Renaissance ROM Campaign has reached
Partner
Mr. Doug Wilson
Stanley Kwan & Company
President & COO
Mrs. Elsie Lo Sony of Canada Limited
Mrs. Susanne Loewen Mr. Lynton R. Wilson
Chairman
Mr. Stephens B. Lowden
CAE Inc.
Mr. Bahadur Madhani
Mr. Robert C. Wong
President
Vice-Chairman
Equiprop Management Limited
Leon Frazer & Associates Ltd.
Ms. Malika Mendez
Mr. I. Richard Wookey
Chair
President
DMV Fundraising Committe
Soutterham Investments Limited
Royal Ontario Museum
Mrs. Sharon Zuckerman
Fact or Fiction: Get Real!
October 22, 2009
Presented by: Burgundy Asset Management Ltd.
Beaujolais Private Investment Management
Tickets: $250 each
Patron opportunities: $5,000, $10,000
Come play with us at the ROM’s trademarked guessing
game of deception, deduction and discovery. Contestants
are told two facts by curatorial staff at each of 20 game
tables, and must guess which objects or stories are the
real-deal! This year’s event also promotes an upcoming
ROM exhibition Fakes, Frauds and Forgeries. It will take
a savvy guest to get the most correct answers and win an
exotic trip courtesy of Tour East Holidays.
All proceeds support the ROM Research Endowment Fund.
Contact Kirsten Kamper at 416.586.8064 or
kirstenk@rom.on.ca for tickets.
Passion
for the ROM
The spectacular Schad Gallery of
The Schad

Biodiversity has inspired generous Gallery of

Biodiversity
under
gifts of all levels from donors, construction.

volunteers and friends of the

ROM who are passionate
about life on Earth.
“Conserving the boreal forest is a uniquely
Canadian opportunity and one with global
significance. The Ivey Foundation is working
A view of the with organizations across Canada to help
Earth Rangers protect the boreal forest so that it becomes Robert Schad, Elizabeth Schad, Peter Kendall
Studio coming a valued treasure, not another crisis in
to life.
biodiversity. We are pleased to be part of the
Schad Gallery, assisting the ROM in bringing
these critical issues to the public’s attention. “

A
Bruce Lourie

Robert &
reference letter from Albert Einstein
President, Ivey Foundation
and $25 – that was all Robert Schad
had when he arrived in Canada in 1951.
numerous factors affecting its survival. The highly
Nearly 60 years later, his success in
A colourful anticipated Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is scheduled
building Husky Injection Molding Systems into a

Elizabeth
aquarium to open its doors to the public on May 16, 2009.
houses a $1 Billion company has allowed him to give back to
This innovative and interactive gallery combines
rich diversity the community – devoting his time and energy to
“I have been a supporter of Renaissance seven ecosystem experiences, roughly 2,500
of live reef funding projects that generate public awareness and
ROM from the beginning, but recently I invertebrates
specimens, and the Earth Rangers Studio to convey
provide education on environmental issues.
had a preview tour of the Schad Gallery and small an important message about the stunning variety of
Robert Schad and his wife, Elizabeth, share a

Schad are
which made a powerful impression on fishes. life on Earth and the interconnectedness of nature’s
passion for the environment and wildlife conservation.
me. I was so impressed by the concept of amazing web.
In 2004, they along with Peter Kendall, Executive
the gallery and its potential for education Earth Rangers’ Power of One show is a
Director of the Schad Foundation, established Earth
and raising public awareness in the area 15-minute multi-media experience featured in the
Rangers, a non-profit organization that empowers
of biodiversity that I made a second Earth Rangers Studio. It incorporates some of Earth

Seeing
kids to improve the health of the planet. By building
donation specifically to this gallery.” “In the past 70 years, we have rapidly and Rangers’ most dynamic live animal ambassadors,
on kids’ natural connection to wildlife, Earth Rangers’
extensively altered our planet’s ecosystems, including a lemur, snowy owl, serval cat and
Elizabeth Mitchell live shows and interactive website motivate hundreds
resulting in a substantial biodiversity loss. In American kestrel, and demonstrates the responsibility
President, Department of Museum of thousands of kids each year to make realistic
the hopes of furthering our understanding each of us has to care for the environment.
Volunteers & Renaissance ROM Donor lifestyle changes to better the planet.
and commitment to change. The Salamander Several educational and interactive programs

Green
The Schads strongly believe that life on earth
Foundation is proud to support the Great Lakes related to the latest scientific research, news and
is in crisis, but that there is hope for change by
Ecosystems exhibit in the Schad Gallery of issues concerning life on Earth will also be offered
providing education that will inspire action. “There is
Biodiversity at the ROM.” to Schad Gallery visitors. These programs include
hope if we become accountable for our actions and
Eco-Challenge, which motivates visitors to learn
Nan Shuttleworth make a commitment to change. It’s not only up to the
more about the environment with fun puzzles and
President, The Salamander Foundation government and large organizations, we as individuals
challenging quests, and Backyard Naturalists, which
must also make changes to our lifestyle,” says Robert.
encourages participants to think globally while acting
Given the Schads’ passion for the environment
locally as they discover the world through the eyes
and their deep concern with the current state of the
of a naturalist. Gallery Highlight puts the spotlight
One of planet, it’s no surprise they jumped at the opportunity
on certain touchable Schad Gallery specimens,
seven intricate to support a permanent gallery at the ROM, focused
ecosystems on such as animal pelts, shells, feathers and insects and
on the diversity and fragility of life on Earth and the
display, a view Lost in the Wilderness explores a park, protected area
of the Arctic or ecosystem. The ROM has also teamed up with
system taking environmentally-conscious organizations to present
shape
green initiatives taking place in our communities
with Partners in Protection.
Continued on back page
Passion for the ROM continued The transformational gift to the ROM from the Schad family not only
The Schads’ passion for the ROM began with their initial involvement as supports the creation of the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, but also funds its
members, nearly two decades ago. “Our visits to the ROM were fun, educational programming and research related to biodiversity and environmental conservation
experiences for our son and his friends,” says Elizabeth. We went regularly and through the ROM’s Department of Natural History.
especially enjoyed the March Break programs.” Elizabeth is now a member of the The ROM is celebrating the new Schad Gallery of Biodiversity with a special
ROM Board of Governors and sits on the Fact? or Fiction? Committee, that helps reception and private dedication event leading up to the public opening in mid-
organize an annual fundraising event in support of ROM research. May. “It’s getting more exciting every day and we can’t wait for the opening. We are
Robert recounts how impressed they were with the forward-looking vision of pleased to partner with the ROM and proud of the role played by Earth Rangers and
the ROM and the bold, new design of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. “Finally, the the Schad Foundation to help the ROM bring the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity to
Museum had moved away from the look and feel of a dark, old English institution reality,” says Robert.
and was adapting itself to modern day design, and focusing on relevant issues
like threats to biodiversity,” he recalls. “We loved the progressive, contemporary
approach William Thorsell [Director & CEO] brought to the ROM.”
The Schads paid no attention to the early-day critics of the new ROM, instead
choosing to look ahead to what the Museum could become. “Already the Museum
has totally changed – you can really see a difference and feel the renewed sense of
wonder,” says Elizabeth.
Their hope for the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is that it will engage the
public in a new and provocative way to educate people on the critical issues that
are putting life on Earth in crisis. “We hope that the gallery will serve to inspire
change and instill hope for the future through education, especially for the younger
generation,” says Elizabeth.
“We are systematically destroying our world. If we don’t do anything now
to change our unsustainable lifestyles, how can we possibly expect our world to
be habitable in the future?” asks Robert. “It is very important to understand the
environmental consequences of our actions, change our bad habits, and educate our
children for a better future.”
Earth Rangers reached 165,000 school children last year and plan to reach
nearly 350,000 kids, parents and teachers in 2009, in part through their expanded
presence at the ROM. “The number one concern for children when it comes to
the environment is the state of animals and their habitats,” says Peter. “Children
fall in love with the live animal ambassadors they meet in person at our shows or
online at EarthRangers.com and feel inspired to make a difference.”

Renaissance ROM
Campaign Overview
Raised to Date: $280.9M Left to raise

$42M $30M $166.6M $42.3M $16.5M

Provincial Federal Capital Related Capital
Government Government Priorites

The Renaissance ROM Campaign, the most successful (Above) Photo

of Earth Rangers
cultural fundraising campaign in Canadian history, is show wowing
children over
counting down to completion. Renaissance ROM has March Break.
accomplished much: doubling the number of artifacts (Left) Renais-
and specimens on display within 300,000 square feet sance ROM
has re-engaged
of new and renovated gallery space, creating a state- ROM members
while attracting
of-the-art digital gallery, and improving the ROM’s a new audience
classrooms, studios, and teaching spaces. The ROM to the ROM’s
enlivened
continues to secure funds to complete the final phase spaces.

of Renaissance ROM.

Be a part of the successful completion

• Contact: Laura Sutherland
of Renaissance ROM!
All contributions are gratefully acknowledged
with a receipt for income tax purposes.
Click www.rom.on.ca/donate to make your online donation
Call Laura Sutherland at 416.586.7946
Email lauras@rom.on.ca for more information.

Royal Ontario Museum Governors t 416.586.5818 Produced by the Royal Ontario Museum Governors
100 Queen’s Park f 416.586.8048 Photography by Brian Boyle
Toronto, Ontario, Canada renaissance@rom.on.ca Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program
M5S 2C6 www.rom.on.ca Programme d’infrastuctures Canada-Ontario