Each year Sidoo Family Giving sponsors an athletics scholarship to one deserving student athlete at New Westminster Secondary School in New Westminster, BC. NWSS is David Sidoo’s alma mater and he is a strong supporter of its athletics programs – especially his own passion, football.

The $1500 SFG Scholarship is awarded to those NWSS students who demonstrate academic and athletic achievement, as well as leadership and perseverance. David and Manjy Sidoo established the scholarship with the goal of helping student athletes who may not otherwise be able to afford to attend university.

The 2011 Sidoo Family Scholarship at NWSS was recently awarded to Regan Eberding, a senior who will be putting the scholarship funds toward tuition at UBC in 2012. This pairing strikes a deep chord with David, who also played football at NWSS and then went on to join the UBC Thunderbirds team.

Regan with Chad Oatway (left) the NWSS Defensive Coordinator and ex-UBC player, and Farhan Lalji (right) NWSS Head Coach and broadcaster for TSN.

Congratulations, Regan! Looking forward to seeing you suited up with the TBirds next Fall!

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
www.sidoofamilygiving.com
Sidoo Family Giving Facebook Page
Twitter.com/David_Sidoo

SFG’s David Sidoo, retired CFL pro footballer and UBC alumnus, joined a few former T-Birds teammates to celebrate the 2011 Grey Cup – Vanier Cup weekend and raise funds to support the UBC Thunderbirds Football scholarship program.

On November 23, 2011, at Joey Bar and Grill in Vancouver, Mike Emery, David Sidoo, Bernie Glier, Mike Canic and Jason Riley broke bread and contributed individual donations toward the Thunderbirds scholarship program. Each member of group was part of the 1982 UBC Thunderbirds football team that has been called “the greatest in CIAU history” for having gone undefeated in Canadian competition.  The team was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 for their record-setting performance.

David and his former teammates attended the Thunderbirds Breakfast on November 25, 2011 at the Vancouver Convention Center where All-Canadian university athletes and coaches were honoured, including Frank Smith and Richard Negrin.

To round out the weekend celebrations, Former T-Bird Jason Riley coached the McMaster Marauders to their first ever Vanier Cup victory at BC Place.

David Sidoo and his former teammates attended the Thunderbirds Breakfast on November 25, 2011

David Sidoo and the UBC Thunderbirds - 1982 Vanier Cup

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
www.sidoofamilygiving.com
Sidoo Family Giving Facebook Page
Twitter.com/David_Sidoo

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. ”
~Oscar Wilde

Vancouver is a major city that is home to countless youth from all walks of life and with a full range of backgrounds and opportunities. In order to bring some of these varied youth communities together, Sidoo Family Giving started a program that unites student through a common interest – theatre arts. It’s part of a larger initiative within the foundation to collaborate with Saint Georges school, one of Canada’s premiere boarding and day schools for boys, and other schools in the Vancouver area to promote cross-pollination and interaction among communities. The foundation has been mentoring and financially assisting the Saint George’s program for the past several years.

Recently SFG collaborated with Saint Georges School located in Vancouver’s West-side and Templeton Secondary School located in Vancouver’s East-side to bring together students from far-reaching ends of the city in the context of arts and culture.

The Saint George’s School Saints Players presented The Miser–French playwright Moliere’s five-act satirical comedy–in a five night run in early November. David and Manjy Sidoo of Sidoo Family Giving worked with Jim Crescenzo, head of the Templeton Secondary School theatre and arts program, to bring students from the Templeton program to an evening performance of the play.

SFG sponsored tickets and transportation for sixty students many of whom were at-risk youth whose lives had been turned around by Templeton’s arts and theatre program. Oscar Wilde certainly had it right: in the context of theatre the diverse backgrounds of the students disappeared and they simply became human beings sharing together a common passion.

“The students had a great time and were very excited to attend and meet them all. It was another fantastic evening that opened a new experience for these wonderfully talented students from both Saints and Templeton,” said David Sidoo. “East side meets west side. It was really cool to see the young kids interact.”

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
www.sidoofamilygiving.com
Sidoo Family Giving Facebook Page
Twitter.com/David_Sidoo

SFF Connecting Youth Through Theatre

On October 25^th, 2011 David and Manjy Sidoo joined thirteen UBC students for a celebratory breakfast on campus. The outstanding students were this year’s recipients of the annual Sidoo Family Giving scholarships in athletics and the arts.

The athletics endowment is the largest of its kind at UBC—eleven students received scholarships into the football program this year. In addition, one theatre and one film student each received an SFG art scholarship.

The program, which began seven years ago, provides students with funds ranging from $1000 to $2500 each, based on need. Many recipients of the scholarships would have been challenged to graduate from UBC if it were not for Sidoo Family Giving’s support.

For UBC alumni David and Manjy Sidoo, giving back to their university is an important objective for the SFF.  “To whom much is given much is expected,” said David, who during his university years was given an opportunity by UBC to pursue his football and academic careers with financial assistance.  “My wife and I feel that these scholarships are a wonderful investment our youth and, subsequently, the future of British Columbia.”

Congratulations to this year’s amazing recipients!

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
www.sidoofamilygiving.com
Sidoo Family Giving Facebook Page
Twitter.com/davidsidoo

For UBC alumni David and Manjy Sidoo, giving back to their university is an important objective for the SFF.

David Sidoo was a decorated football player with the UBC Thunderbirds

David and Manjy Sidoo are both UBC alumni and are fervent supporters of the university’s athletics program. One of the key Sidoo Family Giving projects is UBC Athletics where SFG is the single largest donor to the athletic scholarship program.

David was a decorated football player with the UBC Thunderbirds and continues to take an active interest in the team.

His memorable five-year football career with the Thunderbirds began in 1978, when the UBC team played in its first ever Vanier Cup. Over the years David set several records and earned many awards that made him a shining star in the league. The crowning glory came in 1982 when David helped captain UBC to win its first Vanier Cup.

David Sidoo and the UBC Thunderbirds - 1982 Vanier Cup

David went on to play six years of professional football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the BC Lions before retiring.

Though he may no longer play football, David remains actively involved with the development of the sport for youth and young adults, including the Thunderbirds team. This year, the TBirds football team is having its best season since 2004 and has secured a spot in the Canada West Playoffs for the first time in five years.

Listen to the following audio clip to hear David being interviewed by Vancouver journalist Richard Zussman – they talk about that magical 1982 Vanier Cup win and David shares some wisdom for the current team.

David Sidoo Interview

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
www.sidoofamilygiving.com
Sidoo Family Giving Facebook Page
Twitter.com/davidsidoo

David Sidoo found a philanthropic match made in heaven in the Down Set Hut Football Camp.

With his deep-seated passion for football and an even deeper passion for creating opportunities for youth in sport, David Sidoo found a philanthropic match made in heaven in the Down Set Hut Football Camp.

DSH – Borne of a Desire to Give Back

Conceived and founded by David’s friend, former CFL, NFL and XFL pro footballer, Bobby Singh, the camp takes places on one magical day each May in Richmond, BC. The non-contact skills camp is aimed at kids aged 7-15 (boys and girls) with skills and experience ranging from beginner through advanced. Attendees are grouped according to age and, over the course of the day, rotate through different skills stations, each representing one of the eight positions on the football field.

At each station, the kids are coached by an exciting array of Pro talent including Bobby Singh, Mark Uyeyama (49ers Head Strength and Conditioning Coach), Davis Sanchez (Lions Cornerback), Geroy Simon (Lions Slotback), Paris Jackson (Lions Slotback), Paul McCallum (Lions Kicker), Shea Emry (Alouettes Linebacker), Travis Lulay (Lions QB) and many more.

Each attendee receives a white Down Set Hut t-shirt and the coaches each carry Sharpies. At the completion of each skill station, coaches chat with the kids and sign their shirts.

For the kids involved, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and for the Pros, it’s a chance to give back.

SFG – Multi-faceted Support

A fervent supporter of Down Set Hut since its inception three years ago, David helped Bobby get the program on its feet and has contributed funding to enable close to 50 local kids to attend each year.

Down Set Hut and Sidoo Family Giving share the philosophy that “time, talent and treasure” are key to any philanthropic endeavor.

This year, David introduced a new twist. Inspired by a deep connection to his hometown of New Westminster, David sponsored 60 kids from New West to attend the 3^rd running of Down Set Hut. And when the eager crew of aspiring players gathered at Richmond’s Minrou Park on May 14, David was there to meet them – decked out in full coaching gear!

David spent the day helping to guide and mentor the full roster of 128 camp attendees… And loved every minute of it! At the end of camp, David awarded Sidoo Family Foundation sponsored trophies to Sam McLeod of St Albert, AB for MVP and Tayvion Johnson from Surrey for Most Inspirational Player.

Making a Difference

Sidoo Family Giving remains deeply involved with the Down Set Hut Football Camp because it provides invaluable opportunities for youth to develop lifelong team building skills and gain inspiration and guidance from dedicated professional athletes.  The feedback from camp attendees speaks volumes:

The DOWN SET HUT Football Camp, run this past Saturday in Richmond, was a great event.  Bobby Singh, with the help of many sponsors, amongst them Dave Sidoo, pulled off a fun filled camp.  In order to attend the camp, we drove down from St Albert, Alberta and it was well worth it.

The pro and amateur coaches involved in this project provided the young players with great tips and encouragement.  Special shout outs to: Kelly Bates, Shea Emry, Paris Jackson, Jamal Lee, Will Loftus, Travis Lulay, Rolly Lumbala, Mike Reilly, Davis Sanchez, and Dean Valli.

Brian Macleod

St Albert, AB

If you’re interested in joining David and Sidoo Family Giving in sponsoring Down Set Hut, you can find more information and donate online here.

2011 Media Coverage

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Carpenter+tops+speed+chart+Indy+opening/4786430/story.html

http://www.stormtech.tv/2011/05/down-set-hut-football/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFKVxoiv0mM

David and Manjy Sidoo started Sidoo Family Giving five years ago with the goal of enriching the lives of children and families around the world. Promoting health and wellbeing is a significant focus of Sidoo Family Giving.

A few years ago, the compassionate couple became aware that every day hundreds of children in British Columbia go to school hungry for reasons ranging from poverty to an inability to eat first thing in the morning.

Hunger Negatively Impacts Learning

Numerous studies, such as the one below, have shown that lack of morning nutrition has negative effects on school performance:

“Over the past five years, significant new evidence has documented the link between eating breakfast and learning. Recent studies show that skipping breakfast…is associated with quantifiable negative consequences for academic, cognitive, health, and mental health functioning.”

• J. Michael Murphy, EdD, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. From “Breakfast and Learning: An Updated Review.” Journal of Current Nutrition and Food Science 2007; 3(1): 3-36.

School organizations are listening and school meal programs have been on the increase across North America thanks to the support of government agencies, the efforts of not-for-profit organizations and the generosity of community members. Meal programs ensure that students receive a nutritious breakfast or lunch or both several days a week.

School Meal Program Benefits

According to the non-profit society, Breakfast Clubs of Canada, “Teaching staff have reported at least 30 minutes more effective teaching time per day as a result of breakfast programs instilled in their schools.” Further, their In-school breakfast programs have demonstrated the following benefits:

• Improved attendance and punctuality;
• Renewed interest in curriculum subjects;
• Increased understanding of how healthy eating habits affect energy levels;
• Improved behaviour and increased concentration, leading to greater achievement;
• Improved social skills and confidence to interact with other children and adults;
• Reduced bullying through increased cross-age and peer-group interaction and communication;
• Enhanced relationships with family members and the wider community of breakfast clubs.

Source: http://www.breakfastclubscanada.org/benefitsBalancedBreakfast.aspx

SFF Fuels Students in New West

Over the past two years, Sidoo Family Giving has contributed $30,000 to the Janta Sewak Society, which directed the funds into a healthy meals program in the New Westminster BC School District. As a result, more than twelve thousand nutritious meals and snacks were served to over one thousand students each year.

On May 17, 2011, David and Manjy dropped in to the New Westminster Secondary School Breakfast Club to help prepare and serve meals. New Westminster Mayor, Wayne Wright, joined the couple amid a media event designed to create awareness of the need for school meal programs in New West and elsewhere in the province.

A Challenge to Others

David, alumnus of New West Secondary, is a firm believer in giving back to the community in which he was raised. Now he’s hoping inspire other community-minded philanthropists to develop school meals programs in their communities.

David suggests interested potential contributors should contact their local school district to find out whether such a program exists or is needed. You don’t know until you ask!

2011 Breakfast Club Media Releases

http://district.sd40.bc.ca/services/school-meals

http://communities.canada.com/vannet/blogs/timeoutcorner/archive/2011/05/13/dave-sidoo-to-be-honoured-by-new-westminster-school-district-tuesday-morning.aspx

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/newwestminsternewsleader/news/122519248.html

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2011/05/17/pf-18157806.html

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html?releasePID=RsKW3kOEexmHR01AvkLGCU3x_7BgDj7s