Congratulations to Emerson Bauer who is the recipient of the Sidoo Family Giving scholarship!  

My Son Jordan Sidoo, who is a passionate soccer fan and former student athlete, and I are very excited to continue to support young student athletes, who have special talents, reach their potential and ultimate dream. Emerson will be able to display his talent in the UK for all to see. Good luck to him and the Supra team.  

“We continue to support those young student athletes that are very talented but unable to afford to go on life changing trips. Experiences like this” 

– David Sidoo

Sidoo Family Giving is proud to be supporters of the Kids Play Foundation. It is a wonderful organization helping kids enjoy sports of all kinds. Thank you to Kal Dosanjh for making this wonderful Foundation happen!

On December, 22, 2018, Jordan Sidoo and Dylan Sidoo presented Gladstone Secondary with a $10,000 donation to get the school’s breakfast program up and running.

Read the complete details in the Vancouver Sun.

Indo-Canadian youth leader Jordan Sidoo was recognized this past week by the BC Provincial Government for his outstanding community service.

Sidoo, who is the youngest son of well known Indo-Canadian businessman David Sidoo, was presented with a BC Certificate of Appreciation for his tireless efforts to enhance fairness, equality; cultural appreciation and social awareness and his wonderful contribution to the success of British Columbia and our society as a whole at such a young age.

Read the full article here.

In British Columbia, 1 in 5 children is at risk of starting the school day without breakfast. According to teachers, children that come to school hungry are unable to concentrate, more lethargic, and more disruptive than their peers, causing them to lose 1 to 2 hours of valuable learning time every day.

Furthermore, food insecurity and poor nutrition in children increases their risk of developing chronic illnesses and mental health problems.

The Breakfast Club of BC strives to combat food insecurity and promote health and learning by implementing community-based breakfast programs in underserved elementary schools. By providing funding, kitchen equipment, training, and management tools, we endeavour to eradicate hunger among the province’s most vulnerable children.

May 7, 2019 Vancouver Sun Article: Adopt-A-School campaign raises record funds for B.C. kids

Jordan Sidoo, Warren Moon, & Dylan Sidoo

On July 23^rd, 2015 Jordan and Dylan Sidoo joined Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and nine-time Pro Bowl selection Warren Moon on the mound at Angels’ Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Sidoo brothers were celebrating this year’s Crescent Moon Foundation Scholarship award winners and the recently formed partnership between Sidoo Family Giving and the Crescent Moon Foundation.

Jordan and Dylan, who head up Sidoo Family Giving, have always been deeply committed to help enhance the lives of those less fortunate in their home town of Vancouver, BC, Canada. They come by it honestly, as their parents, David and Manjy Sidoo, have set a strong example of community leadership and stewardship through their many philanthropic endeavors in their Lower Mainland community.

Their strong sense of obligation to give back to their community in Canada has grown international wings as the brothers have led the charge in partnering with the Crescent Moon Foundation to help youth in America as well.

The Crescent Moon Foundation Scholarship Award Winners, Jordan Sidoo, Dylan Sidoo and Warren Moon.

The Crescent Moon Foundation is a logical strategic partner for Sidoo Family Giving, as both organizations share a very similar mission:

Established in 1989, the Crescent Moon Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for educational pursuits that will benefit children most in need who have displayed a commitment to their community, as well as other charitable causes. As part of the Crescent Moon Foundation’s mission, the Rising Moon Scholarship Program awards ten scholarships of up to $5,000 annually to students that demonstrate a commitment to their community, excel in leadership and academics, and who are in need.

“My mother taught me at a young age the importance of giving back,” said Moon, a Los Angeles native and Washington Huskies alum. “Unfortunately, not all kids today have someone guiding them or providing them with the means for success. It is my sincere hope the Crescent Moon Foundation can assist in that regard.”

For more information on the Crescent Moon Foundation: http://www.crescentmoonfoundation.org/

Additional photos of the California event can be seen at the Crescent Moon Foundation Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HWarrenMoon1

On July 26th, 2016, David Sidoo was one of a group of 16 outstanding civic leaders who received the highest honour awarded in the Province of British Columbia – the Order of B.C.

The following details the Province of British Columbia government website explain the origins and significance of the coveted and highly regarded award:

Established in 1989 by statute, the Order of British Columbia recognizes those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour, benefiting the people of the Province or elsewhere. It represents the highest form of recognition the Province can extend to its citizens. Appointments to the order are made annually to the most outstanding British Columbians possessing these qualifications. Citizens of the Province are invited to participate in this ongoing process by nominating persons whom they feel are worthy of this acknowledgement and honour.

The Insignia of the Order of British Columbia is in the form of a medal. The medal depicts a stylistic dogwood (the floral emblem of B.C.) and features a crowned shield of arms. It is worn with a green, gold, white and blue ribbon.

David received the award in the presence of family, friends and numerous distinguished guests. According to the Province of British Columbia’s July 26, 2016 press release, Lt-Gov. Judith Guichon and Premier Christy Clark addressed the group:

“For 27 years, the Order of British Columbia has recognized exceptional individuals whose hard work, generosity of spirit and outstanding achievements have contributed immeasurably to the wellbeing of our communities,” Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon said. “I extend my congratulations to this year’s recipients and thank them for inspiring all of us with their efforts to build a healthy, diverse and inclusive province for generations to come.”

“British Columbia’s greatest strength is British Columbians – people who use their talents and passions to make a difference both here at home and, in many cases, around the world,” Premier Christy Clark said. “On behalf of all British Columbians, I want to thank this year’s recipients for their dedication, and everything they do to make B.C. a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.”

Without a doubt, David Sidoo’s efforts in many facets of Lower Mainland communities contributes to making B.C. a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.

Congratulations, David!

With the recent school year coming to a close, David, Manjy, Dylan Sidoo and Jordan Sidoo recently received a heartfelt thank you for their significant contribution to the Weekend Food Program that has been supporting 17 vulnerable, low income and highly at-risk families with children attending Old Yale Road Elementary School in Surrey.

20% of the families of children attending the school are defined as low income and many students arrive at school with little or no food. The reality for many of these children is that they have little access to nutritious food at home. Though the Food Bank does provide a resource for families, often it is not enough or the families are unable or unwilling to access those resources.

In order to support those families in need, Old Yale Road Elementary started an Emergency Weekend Food Fund to provide emergency non-perishable food items to those most in need and in times of crisis.

For the Pilot Project 17 families were selected based on who would benefit the most and who was in the greatest need. Each Friday they would attend the school to receive two huge bags of groceries to carry them through the weekend. In the case of a few families who were unable to attend the school, some of the school staff would deliver the food to their homes to ensure that they were taken care of.

With the support of David, Manjy and Jordan Sidoo, the Emergency Weekend Food Fund has provided Old Yale Elementary with the “realization…that anything is possible, and that (they) are more than just a school; (they) are a community.”

Along with 15 other civic leaders in the Province, David Sidoo will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia on July 26, 2016. This year more than 215 British Columbians were nominated for the Order of B.C. and just 16 were selected by the seven-member independent advisory committee.

According to the Province of British Columbia’s June 14, 2016 press release,

“British Columbia’s greatest strength is British Columbians – people who use their talents and passions to make a difference both here at home and, in many cases, around the world,” Premier Christy Clark said. “On behalf of all British Columbians, I want to thank this year’s recipients for their dedication, and everything they do to make B.C. a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.”

Further, the Province of BC released the following statement to explain why Sidoo will be appointed the award:

 “Sporting legend and successful investment banker David Sidoo has leveraged his success to become a leading philanthropist and a catalyst for improving the lives of many British Columbians through his support of many programs.He has been most impactful in making a difference in the lives of youth all across British Columbia.  David and his wife, Manjy, started Sidoo Family Giving, an organization actively involved in the community for the betterment of families and at-risk youth of all ages, specifically supporting children’s breakfast programs, children’s cancer research, mentoring programs, teenage sports programs and community scholarships. Additionally the Sidoo Family Athletics Endowment is the largest of its kind at UBC.”

 For more information, please read the Province of BC’s press release and the article on the UBC Thunderbirds website.

 Congratulations, David!

PRESS RELEASE

Applications open for KSF: Artists of Choice Awards 2016

The KSF has announced the launch of this year’s KSF Artists of Choice Awards, their flagship funding and mentoring initiative for emerging artists in the genres of Theatre, Dance, Film and Musical Theatre. Applications are open to artists resident in the UK, USA; and for the first time this year, Canada made possible by a partnership with KSF and Manjy and David Sidoo and the support of The Sidoo Family Giving Foundation.

KSF Artists of Choice Awards will be made to four UK-based, four US-based and four Canada-based artists or companies, each will receive up to £10,000 or $10,000 in funding, year-round in-kind support from KSF and an industry mentor.

2015 UK recipient Robby Graham of Southpaw Dance Company said of the Awards, “It isn’t just a pot of money, it is more importantly a package of support tailored by people who are passionate about artistic development and who believe in your work.”

Applications are open now on the KSF website closing on Friday 4 March 2016. Applicants will then be shortlisted and in-person interviews with an industry panel will take place in early May 2016. The Awards are open to emerging artists in Theatre, Dance, Film or Musical Theatre who have an exciting, creative and unique project. Those applying will also be required to provide an industry referee that knows their work as well as examples of previous projects or reviews.

Founder of KSF said:

“Last year’s recipients have proven to be accomplished artists and have benefitted hugely from the support of my foundation and their individual mentors. I’m very much looking forward to reviewing this year’s applications and seeing what creativity comes our way from Canada as well as the UK and USA.”

Steve Winter, Executive/Creative Director of KSF, said:

“It has been massively satisfying to not only see the work develop but also the relationships between the artists we’ve supported. I know they have been inspired by each other and the commitment they’ve shown to developing their craft. I feel certain this year’s applicants will be just as enthusiastic and inventive with their project applications.”

Manjy and David Sidoo, Founders of the Sidoo Family Giving, said:

“We are pleased to be supporting and working with the KSF and supporting the arts in Canada. We are excited to see this year’s applicants from Canada.”

A panel of respected creatives will help select the recipients. Last year’s panel included film director Andrew Haigh (Weekend), Head of BBC Films Christine Langan, Director of Europe for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Carola Ash, Atlantic Theater’s Artistic Director Neil Pepe, American Ballet Theater’s Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, actor Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife), theatre director Jamie Lloyd, actress and singer Laura- Michelle Kelly (Finding Neverland), English National Ballet’s Tamara Rojo, actress and singer Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple), musical director Ted Sperling and choreographer Wayne McGregor,

The Foundation launched the KSF Artists of Choice Awards in 2015 receiving over 1,200 applications. Awards were made to nine emerging artists. With the expansion of the award to Canada the Foundation hopes to build on its previous success, highlighting the rich diversity of talent there. Previous recipients of the KSF Artists of Choice Awards include:

DANCE USA: Stefanie Batten Bland of Company SBB. The company presented their work Patient(ce) at Harlem Stage, New York, last year. The piece introduced crowds to a performance that examined the critical relationship that the musical, physical and visual arts have with space and time.

THEATER (USA): Ghazi Albuliwi of West Bank Brooklyn Productions. His production of Highly Suspect debuted in December 2015 in New York starring the Obie award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson. The New Group and director Ian Morgan mentored the project.

FILM (USA): India Dupré. Stripped is a true story of family survival, matriarchal sacrifice and forgiveness. In 1979, after being lured to Australia with the promise of a better life and having her three young British children placed in work camps as part of a “Keep Australia White” scheme, a shy yet determined mother becomes a stripper to survive, kidnapping her children back and fleeing across Australia.

MUSICAL THEATER (USA): New York based artists John McGrew, Jonathan Karpinos and Joseph Varca are focused on developing new works exploring the intersection of storytelling and music. The Village of Vale is an original gothic fairytale told through music, art, the written word and performance. Four actors and an eight-person live band create the stories of villagers and strangers in Vale.

DANCE (UK): Robby Graham of Southpaw Dance Company. The company will debut their work Speakeasy at Dance City, Newcastle in March 2016. The piece is a modern interpretation of the classic tale ‘Faust’ featuring Breaking, Charleston and Lindy.

THEATRE (UK): Cressida Brown of Offstage Theatre. Re:Home focuses on the effect of austerity, regeneration, and the Olympics on the residents of the Beaumont Estate, East London; and is a sequel to their first play Home. Re:Home debuted at The Yard, London in February 2016.

FILM (UK): Michael Van Der Put of Broken Hearted Youth. Played out on a five-a-side football pitch Rage explores political anger and apathy felt in the aftermath of the London riots. The project will complete it’s filming later this year.

MUSICAL THEATRE (UK): Writer Chris Bush and Composer Matt Winkworth are developing a new work written in faux- verbatim style. The musical examines the events following the assassination of a controversial public figure.

Timeline:

• Applications open: Now
• Applications close: Friday 4 March 2016
• Interviews: Monday 2 – Monday 9 May 2016
• Awards Made: Early June 2016

Notes to Editors:


Contact: Steve Winter

ABOUT KSF

The purpose of KSF is to discover, train, fund and mentor emerging artists in drama, dance, music, and film as well as developing life enhancing theatre-in-education projects across the globe, in line with its vision statement to: ‘Send the elevator back down’.

KSF’s recipients are those seeking a career in the performing arts and film predominately – but not limited to – secondary school children, further and continuing education students, undergraduates (freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors), post graduates, graduates or those without formal education but the talent and drive to succeed.