After receiving a terminal brain cancer diagnosis, Don Levy began reflecting on the experiences that mattered most to him throughout his life. Again and again, his thoughts returned to summer camp and the opportunities it gave him. He believes every child deserves the chance to discover confidence, friendship, and joy in the same way.
Guided by that belief and his lifelong spirit of generosity, Don has established the Donald Levy Foundation at the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia in 2026. This Fund was established with a $341,00 donation of securities to help support summer camps for Nova Scotian children for years to come.
When asked why he wanted to create this Fund, Don offered a simple and deeply poignant answer: “because kids deserve it.”
Growing up, Don and his family did not take summer vacations. They went to camp. His years at Cub and Scout camps shaped both his character and the path of his career, teaching him self-sufficiency, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and the power of mentorship.
Over time, Don moved from camper to volunteer, junior counselor, summer staff member, and ultimately waterfront director. Those experiences showed him the powerful role camp can play in early personal development, and he hopes many more children will have the chance to grow in the same way.
Don carried his commitment to personal development beyond his formal responsibilities as a project manager at Siemens, where he also took time to support young people through summer placements and help them grow into careers. One of these students went on to excel at Siemens for more than 15 years before continuing their career with the Department of National Defence.
Don lives life through quiet leadership. He has long supported causes close to his heart, including Boys & Girls Clubs, Brunswick Street Mission, Scouts Canada, and local healthcare initiatives. Over the years, he has donated Christmas trees from his land to a local Scout group to sell as a fundraiser, and he maintained a large garden whose vegetables were regularly shared with the food bank.
The Donald Levy Foundation will carry forward this spirit of quiet leadership while involving his family in the giving. Established alongside his sisters, the Foundation will be guided by family members in making granting decisions. Don’s Fund with CFNS is invested for long term growth alongside the pooled assets of other CFNS Funds, with annual grants made from the investment income.
Don and his family are grateful for the opportunity to continue spreading kindness for the rest of Don’s days, and beyond, with this Fund stewarded by CFNS. With this investment, future generations of children will build confidence, friendships, and life skills at camp, just as Don once did. His quiet leadership will live on in every child who has the chance to discover who they are beneath the trees, around the campfire, and among new friends.
