The “Friends Of Charles MacColl Memorial Fund” For NBRS donation options:

1. Online by using our secure Online Donation Page.
2. By mail or fax by using our special printable donation form.
3. By calling: 1-800-567-6755, extension 258

 
In the life of every organization, particularly growing charities and non-profits, dedicated champions for the work it does often come to the forefront, helping it to grow and better serve the people it was set up to help.

The National Broadcast Reading Service (NBRS), a registered charity with a mission to Make Media Accessible, was blessed with such a champion in Charles MacColl, who died suddenly in his sleep in late April. He was, according to those who knew, loved and respected him, a tower of a man, with great professional abilities, a terrific spirit and an unshakeable belief in the importance of helping others.

To honour the memory of Charles MacColl and to salute his dedication to the cause of Making Media Accessible through his years of volunteer work on behalf of NBRS, a group of Charles’ friends have set up a memorial fund, contributions to which will go towards improving accessibility to published news and information in Mississauga, Ont., which was where Charles lived and worked for many years.

The purpose of the “Friends of Charles MacColl Memorial Fund” For NBRS is to help raise monies to break the information barrier to current newspapers and magazines for vision- and print-restricted residents of Mississauga by enhancing the operations of VoicePrint’s Local Broadcast Centre for the community.

VoicePrint is one of two NBRS operating divisions, going on the air in 1990 to broadcast audio versions of printed news and information from more than 600 publications to the 5 million Canadians who can’t independently access printed materials due to blindness and other vision-impairments, physical and learning disabilities, low literacy rates and the impairments associated with aging.

“From our earliest days, Charles was a true friend of VoicePrint.” says Bob Trimbee, NBRS President. “It’s not unusual that a charity from time to time will face difficult operational and financial challenges. But when a charity provides a service that reaches its beneficiaries indirectly, those challenges become even more severe because of the difficulty in establishing its bona fides.”

If you would like to help Make Media Accessible – in memory of and tribute to Charles MacColl – please mail or fax our special downloadable donation form to NBRS at the address given.

Or go immediately go to our online donation page and find the “Friends of Charles MacColl Memorial Fund” For NBRS option.

For more information about NBRS

For more information about VoicePrint

More Tributes To Charles MacColl, a great friend of NBRS

“We're going to miss his insight, expertise -- and especially his ability to cut to the core of an issue.” -- Gerald Weseen, NBRS Board chair

“Charles was a pillar of strength throughout the 1990s. We recognized his leadership and his support by inducting him into our Silver Palette Club … our hall of fame … and making him a lifetime member. Two years ago, when we decided to seek a specialty TV licence for The Accessible Channel [TAC], Charles again took time from his extremely busy legal and political schedule to again offer us his help.

“He rejoined our Board last year and also accepted a seat on the Board of The Accessible Channel. On both he brought a clear vision to each corporate and governance question and never wavered from that position even when the discussion involved difficult and tough questions. It will be difficult to replace the energy, determination, support, leadership and enthusiasm he brought to our purpose.” -- Bob Trimbee, NBRS President

“I am shocked and very saddened. I very quickly developed a great deal of respect for his incredible mind, abilities and efforts. I have no doubt that, if time had permitted, he would have also made his mark upon TAC, including providing considerable guidance and assistance with the launch.” -- Wayne Myles, Board chair, TAC

“Charles certainly had an impact and he will be greatly missed. I can see how instrumental he was in the early days of NBRS and it is sad that he will not be here to see TAC hit the airwaves.” -- Charlie Macdonald, NBRS Board member

“Charles was a statesman, generous, and always there to contribute – and did so unconditionally” -- Georgina Blanas, a long-time friend and NBRS’s director of marketing and fund development

“He was very friendly, charming, an extremely pleasant man.” -- Rennie Manickam, of NBRS, who has known Charles since 1989

Charles MacColl: a great champion for the cause of

Making Media Accessible. We will miss him greatly. Our

condolences to his friends and family.