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THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM AN ARTICLE IN THE MAIL-STAR/CHRONICLE HERALD, SEPT. 18, 1999. The writer was Steve Proctor, Staff Reporter. (Courtesy of the Diocesan Archives)
“RELIEF FUND BEGAN WITH N.S. DISASTER
Anglican Church marks 40th anniversary of Primates FundThe Primate’s Fund was born out of an overwhelming response to a Nova Scotia tragedy. ‘The roots of the Primate’s Fund emerged from the 1958 disaster in Springhill,’ says Rt. Rev. Leonard Hatfield. Hatfield served as the first secretary to the fund… ‘In October of that year 167 coal miners died underground after being trapped by an explosion in the Cumberland mine,’ Hatfield says. ‘It was a horrible tragedy that moved Anglicans and other Canadians to send funds to help the stricken families.’
The appeal raised $103,000, far more than was immediately required. But, Bishop Hatfield says, because the money was raised specifically for Springhill, it could not be reassigned to other projects, no matter how great the need.
Hatfield says the church recognized the need for a standing emergency fund and a better way to channel aid quickly. Thus the Primate’s World Relief Fund was created.
Its original mandate was to respond to Canadian and international disasters and the needs of refugees. In its inaugural year it funded eight projects worth $152,000….”