Paperwork has been signed to officially launch a new scholarship fund in memory of a long-time Richmond volunteer who passed away earlier this year.
Hans Havas, a former Richmond resident, passed away this year due to stage four pancreatic cancer. He was known for many of his titles including the former chair of the West Richmond Community Association and chair of the Richmond Seniors Advisory.
To honour Havas' dedication to the community, the West Richmond Community Association and the Richmond Community Foundation launched the Hans Havas Memorial Scholarship Fund.
"Because Hans has touched so many areas of this city ... I thought why don't we offer a scholarship to a student who has been a star doing service work," said Don Taylor, president of the West Richmond Community Association.
He told the Richmond News they are looking to award a student who has demonstrated selflessness.
"We want it to be for a student who is doing it for the benefit of the community, and recognizes that there's more to life than what we do for ourselves."
This will be an annual scholarship for Richmond students pursuing post-secondary education and will be available starting in 2026.
Ed Gavsie, executive director of the Richmond Community Foundation, said it will be a general scholarship, emphasizing this decision was intentional.
“Hans supported so many different causes, and it’s fitting that a scholarship in his name has a wide focus," said Gavsie.
"There were no limits to Hans’ community involvement, and, similarly, this scholarship places no limits on a student’s educational horizons.”
If you’d like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can make a tax-deductible donation by visiting the Richmond Community Foundation website.
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