Charity fund, Commons applause for homeless hero

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This article was published 14/05/2009 (6354 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — The accolades for Winnipeg’s homeless hero continued to pile up Wednesday with applause in the House of Commons and a charitable fund for the homeless established in his honour.

And just in time for his birthday.

Today, Faron Hall celebrates his 45th birthday — 11 days after leaping into the Red River to save the life of a teenager who had accidentally fallen from the Provencher Bridge.

The man, a self-described alcoholic who has been homeless and living under the bridge for seven years, has been the centre of attention ever since, generating national headlines and the gratitude and awe of Canadians.

He’s planning to celebrate his birthday quietly with a few close friends and is looking for his life to go back to normal, but the spotlight continues to shine on him.

Winnipeg MP Rod Bruinooge lauded Hall’s actions in a members’ statement prior to question period in Ottawa, generating a standing ovation from MPs of all political stripes.

"Faron is certainly a hero," Bruinooge said, as MPs around him nodded in agreement. "He showed a rare example of true selflessness by risking his own life to save another. On behalf of Winnipeggers and all Canadians, I thank him for his courage and compassion.

"We can all learn a great deal from this man and his story."

In Winnipeg on Wednesday night, Hall said he was surprised to hear that his name came up on Parliament Hill.

"That’s inspiring," said Hall.

Bruinooge said later he hopes to meet Hall next week when Parliament is on a break, so he can pass on the good wishes of Parliament in person.

"It’s just such an incredible story," said Bruinooge.

Also Wednesday, the Winnipeg Foundation set up a new endowment fund named for Hall after an anonymous donor put up the seed money. The Faron Hall National Fund for the Homeless will be used by the Winnipeg Foundation to give grants to community groups that support homeless people by providing a "hand up" or by "bridging gaps."

The groups can be anywhere in Canada, said Rick Frost, adding it’s a recognition by the donor that homelessness is not just a Winnipeg problem.

"I’m surprised," said Hall, who knew nothing of the fund until contacted by the Free Press. "That’s very generous of the anonymous individual. At least he shows he has understanding and compassion. It makes me proud that it’s being recognized and positive action is happening."

Frost would not give the amount of the anonymous donation except to say it was a "very modest amount." The endowment will begin paying out grants once it reaches $10,000. Donations can be made to the fund at the Winnipeg Foundation’s website, www.wpgfdn.org, or by mailing a cheque to the foundation at 1350 One Lombard Place, Winnipeg, Man., R3B 0X3.

 

— with files from Carol Sanders

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca