The Sarnia Community Foundation (SCF) is proud to announce the launch of the Sydney E. Vrolyk Memorial Scholarship Fund, established to honour a truly beloved member of our community.
This scholarship fund will support and inspire students who want to pursue post-secondary studies in accessibility and inclusion.
Recently, Sydney was posthumously honoured with the Kevin Schenk Legacy Award as part of Sarnia’s 12th annual Accessibility Awards. Sydney, who lived with Down Syndrome, co-founded the Snacks for Summer fundraiser. In 2018, Sydney started this initiative with her sisters Paige and Abby to raise funds, providing food for local kids who weren’t able to access their schools’ breakfast and snack programs during the two-month summer break. Their fundraiser continued to successfully raise thousands of dollars every summer, even through the years of the pandemic.
As well as being a dedicated community volunteer, Sydney was also a coach and athlete with the Sarnia Special Olympics, thriving in sports such as basketball, bowling, and powerlifting.
Sydney passed away in September at the age of 25.
Sydney’s mother, Helen Van Sligtenhorst said, “I am grateful for the recognition. Sydney loved giving back to her community; each day she looked forward to every activity that she did. She was so willing, and she was so joyful. Every day it was an adventure for her, and she was just so happy to be out and visible in the community.”
The SCF is accepting donations for the Sydney E. Vrolyk Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made directly at the SCF offices, on-line via the SCF website www.sarniacommunityfoundation.ca donate now or call the office directly (519) 332-2588 and speak with SCF staff.
Established in 1983, the SCF is home to a growing number of funds that support all areas of charitable endeavours in the Sarnia-Lambton community. The organization serves the residents of Lambton County by working with donors to establish and maintain endowment funds, providing grants to community projects and programs, and administering and supporting donor driven scholarships such as the Sydney E. Vrolyk Memorial Scholarship Fund.