The estimated 2021 grant value based on this fund value is $25,922. Planned grants this year will be to The Kids Help Phone ($10,922), Alberta Ballet (Specific details to follow $10,000) and School of Alberta Ballet Scholarship for 3rd year student ($5,000)

Calgary Q107 Radio 2009
Radio Interview

This site is dedicated to the celebration and memory of Lindsay’s life.

(Updated December 29, 2023)

 The 6th and final Dragonfly Barn Dance, in support of the Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund (at the Calgary Foundation) with 170 people coming over the afternoon of August 12. We had a celebration and memory of Lindsay and the Fund which has done such good charitable work in Calgary and area for the last 18 years. We are closing on a high note after 11 golf tournaments and 6 Barn Dances. With great support from family and friends and business associates over all the years with Lindsay’s Fund valued today at $660,630 and having made charitable grants of ~$350,000. Really nothing we did on our own and most definitely with divine intervention to get us this far. And as usual a fantastic BBQ offered by my buddies at Techmation Electric & Controls Ltd. who have supported us since 2007, and from our good friends at Accurata Inc. suppliers for the “Scotch Marshall” since 2006. More details under the 2023 Barn Dance Tab.... 

With some silent auction items and random donations made to the Fund on August 12, we raised $3,077.60, for a Fund value of $672,422 as of September 27, 2023, and having made charitable grants totalling $348,865 (see below). Wow! basically a Fund value of ~ $1MM.

I’ll load up pictures over the next while....

The Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund was established in Lindsay’s name as a memorial to her short life (June 18, 1984 to March 18, 2005). The goal of the fund is to keep Lindsay’s name and presence alive and to reflect her generous and caring spirit and to provide charitable grants to Calgary and Alberta area causes forever, all in Lindsay’s name.

The Fund was conceived by Lindsay’s Grandfather (Grandpa Bill) on March 21/22, 2005 when the family and extended family were gathering at her parents’ home and preparing for the memorial service to be held on March 23, 2005. (That date was Holy Wednesday of Easter Week 2005. In 2016 that same day and date occurred, 11 years later, and will next occur in 2157). At the time, they had no idea or plan for the Fund, but it was created through the Calgary Foundation.

The first fund raising event was an impromptu golf tournament. As Lindsay’s birthday of June 18, 2005 approached, her Dad phoned his good Buddy Dave up and said”…hey why don’t we get a few guys out for golf on Lindsay’s birthday, and get me out of the house, and maybe raise a few dollars for the Fund?”. The answer was”…already organized and waiting for you to call.” With that first tournament we had 56 golfers and raised $11,000 for the Fund, and have never looked back. In each subsequent year from 2006 through to 2015 the golf tournament became formal, and was held as close to June 18 (Lindsay’s birthday) as possible. Golf in June is questionable. Either rain or snow or both and rarely sunny. We lucked out though, and actually had many sunny day events. Each year the tournament was sold out with 128 to 144 golfers and 150 to 160 people at the follow-up dinner and silent auction. There was great support from all. In the final 3 years (2013-2015) the tournament was fully committed with 144 golfers before the end of January of the respective year, with 25-26 corporate sponsors. The event raised $45K, $48K and $51K in those final years 2013 to 2015. At the conclusion of the 2015 golf tournament the Fund was at almost $500,000 value.

The 2015 tournament was the 11th and final (for a while). It was time to try something new before we get old and stale. Maybe we’ll resurrect it on the 15th or 20th anniversary/maybe not. In 2015 we also had what was “the inaugural Dragonfly Barn Dance” on Saturday following the tourney that year, with invitations to long time tourney participants and sponsors, with 110 people attending. In 2016 we repeated with 169 people, 158 people in 2017 and 213 people in 2018.  The 2019 Barn Dance was held on Saturday July 6, 2019. It was an outstanding day with plenty of sun, a little rain, and 218 people attending. The 2020 thru 2022 Barn Dance were cancelled due to Covid.  This year, 2023, we will have the final blowout Barn Dance and celebrate the hard work Lindsay has done these past 18 years. See the Barn Dance Tab for more details.

Thanks to your generous support since 2005, we have granted $295,865 directly from the Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund through the Calgary Foundation and an additonal $53,000 from the golf tournament platinum sponsors ( total $348,865) to the various charities listed below, AND we have built up Lindsay’s Fund to approximately $672,422 as of September 27, 2023. That means approximately a $33,600 charitable grant will be available in 2024 (5.0% of Fund value at March 31, 2024). 

The Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund is an endowment fund administered by the Calgary Foundation. All contributions to the fund remain at the Foundation forever. Each year 5.0% of the fund’s value is used for a charitable grant to a local cause. Tax deductible gifts to Lindsay’s Fund are graciously accepted by the Calgary Foundation on-line at:

https://payment.csfm.com/donations/calgaryfoundation/?fund=GIACL.

Grants over the various years have been made to:

• The Calgary Zoo, new elephant house (2006)
• The Military Museums Expansion (2007)
• Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Rotary/Flames House (2008)
• Calgary Health Trust, Foothills Hospital ICU priority equipment (2009)
• Alberta Ballet Artists Fund (2010)
• Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Special Children’s Fund AND Military Museums Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry gallery expansion (2011)
• The Mustard Seed, Afforadable Housing Project (2012)
• Calgary Health Trust, Foothills Hospital ICU specialized equipment (2013)
• Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (2014)
• Kids Help Phone (2015)
• The Light Up Papua New Guinea Project in memory of Captain Nichola Goddard (2006-2015)
• The Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre (2016)
• The Alberta Ballet (Murial Taylor Dancer Development Fund) and the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation | Rotary Flames House ( for the Respite Care Program) (2017)
• The Alberta Ballet (2018). An annual scholarshipof $5000 to the School of Alberta Ballet awarded to a student who exudes passion, talent and is about to embark on their professional dance career (2018). (The announcement of the scholarship was made at the performance of Cinderella on March 17, 2018.
• Soldier On (2018). Soldier On supports serving and retired Canadian Armed Forces members with visible and non-visible illness or injury.
• The Alberta Ballet (2019). An annual scholarship of $5,000 to the School of Alberta Ballet awarded to a student who exudes passion, talent and is about to embark on their professional dance career.
• The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Foundation (2019) $5,000. Ramp Ceremony and Highway of Heroes Project. Support for a short movie about the Ramp Ceremonies in Afghanistan and the Highway of heroes here at home, in recognition of fallen Canadian soldiers. For distribution to Military Museum theatres and classrooms throughout Canada. The PPCLI Foundation will receive a percentage of funds raised for this project as well as any proceeds. This project aligns with the Foundation's mandate to educate and also support in that monies raised will go towards causes like the Associations Mental Health and Suicide Awareness program. http://combinedforces.ca/combinedforces.ca/rampceremony/index-2recognition.html.
• The Mustard Seed 1010 Centre, Affordable Housing Project (2019) $11,475....to provide permanent supportive housing for low income Calgarians, whether seniors living on fixed income, new immigrants to Canada, or people needing a safe, secure and private accomodation. (Lindsay's Fund previously provided a grant to this cause in 2012 when the complex was under construction).
• The Alberta Ballet (2020). An annual scholarship of $5,000 to the School of Alberta Ballet awarded to a student who exudes passion, talent and is about to embark on their professional dance career.
• Kids Help Phone (2020)
• Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Rotary/Flames House (2020)
• The Alberta Ballet (2021). An annual scholarship of $5,000 to the School of Alberta Ballet awarded to a student who exudes passion, talent and is about to embark on their professional dance career.
• Kids Help Phone (2021)
• The Calgary Zoo (2021)
• The Alberta Ballet (2022). An annual scholarship of $5,000 to the School of Alberta Ballet awarded to a student who exudes passion, talent and is about to embark on their professional dance career.
• Kids Cancer Care (2022)
• The Calgary Zoo (2022)

Since 2018 most of the annual donations have been supplemented by an additonal 50% value due to the generosity of the Shaw Charity Classic. The establishment of this fund provides our family extreme comfort in the knowledge that the fund will provide charitable donations to Calgary and Alberta area causes forever, all in Lindsay’s name. We are extremely grateful to all participants in every aspect of the tournament, the barn dance and the Fund.

Leslie, Gerry, Stefani, Nicholas, Dalia, & Wren Giacomelli

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The estimated 2022 grant value based on this fund value is $28,697. Planned grants this year will be to Kids Cancer Care (~$21,697), Calgary Zoo (~ $2,000) and School of Alberta Ballet Scholarship for 3rd year student ($5,000)

Lindsay Giacomelli 

GIACOMELLI _ Lindsay Rachel 1984 - 2005 Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli (Lins) passed away at the Foothills Hospital ICU on March 18, 2005 at the tender age of 20 years 9 months. Lindsay was born June 18, 1984 in Red Deer, Alberta, the eldest daughter to Leslie and Gerald Giacomelli, sister and dear friend to Nicholas (Nick, age eighteen) and Stephanie (Steph, age fourteen). She was enrolled at the University of Calgary in the dance program, and was pursuing her dream of dancing. She started dancing at the young age of three, and aggressively pursued it. Such a lucky person, to be going to school and pursuing a career in the area of her love and keen interest. Lindsay was so dearly loved and the pain of her passing is devastating. We are such a tight family, with so many future plans and dreams in the works. There are no regrets to Lindsay's life, no missing words, and no missed opportunities to hear "I love you". She was strong to the very end, and only left us once she knew we were going to be OK. One of her greatest dreams was to dance for Disney, with an audition scheduled for April 6. Her future was all planned out from travel to marriage. She leaves behind her soul mate Tyler Sande, and their future plans together, including a wedding at the Wedding Chapel at Disney World, and a ride to the Chapel in Cinderella's carriage. Her smile and attitude was contagious. She brought joy and happiness to everyone that she touched. Funeral Service will be held at Southwood United Church (10690 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Drew Strickland officiating. Cremation to follow. Condolences may be forwarded through http://www.commemorativeservices.ca/. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to a Fund that has been established in memory of Lindsay with the Calgary Foundation (No. 700, 999 - 8 Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2R 1J5. Phone 403-802-7700). Arrangements in care of COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES FUNERAL DIRECTORS. Telephone: 265-1199. Calgary Family Owned. "Celebrating The Lives of Our Community"
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Published in the Calgary Herald from 3/20/2005 - 3/22/2005.

The Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund in 2007 will be donating to The Military Museum located in Calgary, Alberta. This museum, formerly known as The Museum of The Regiments was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on June 30, 1990. It was dedicated to the history of Canada’s army military heritage through its four founding regiments, Lord Strathcona’s, Princess Patricia’s, King’s Own, and Calgary Highlanders.

Expansion to this museum started in July 2006 to incorporate and house The Naval Museum of Alberta, an Air Force Gallery and a new Art Gallery and a Library and Archives Center. The museum is now known as The Military Museum.

The expansion is scheduled to be completed by August 2007. The building will be expanded from it's current size of 55,000 sq ft to 107,000 sq ft. An additional 10,000 sq ft research center will be an adjunct of the University of Calgary Library and Western Canada's center of excellence for military history and strategic studies. When finished this new facility will be the largest military museum owned by the Department of Defense in Canada.

The significance of this donation is that Lindsay was very interested in Canada’ military history. As a family we had been to Normandy, Vimy Ridge and to Dieppe in France, and had walked through numerous military cemeteries. At the time of Lindsay’s death she was in the process of switching into a History major at University because her interest was so keen. Just prior to her death, she had managed to make a significant donation (from a frugal university student perspective) to the Juno Beach Centre in France, which was built to recognize the sacrifice of the Canadian WWII veterans.

As part of the museum expansion, a new 12 ft x 20 ft mural will be permanently installed in the Queen Elizabeth II Atrium at the museum, as shown in the attached renditions:
www.mural.somhcampaign.ca.

The mural contains 240 individual paintings and dedications to wartime history and veterans. Our donation and dedication to the museum will be represented in a painting of a military cemetery located in Dieppe, France, which Lindsay walked through on July 19, 1999, and noted in her journal, “…it’s so sad walking up and down the rows of tombstones. So many people died. Boys of 18 and 19 being blown up and shot. It’s horrible…”. The mural will be interactive and will provide for a web link to Lindsay’s web page.

Photo of Dieppe in 1999

Museum Elevation Poster

Mural Brochure 

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 Miltary Museum Mural Dedication

This mural panel is a dedication to our daughter Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli who died on March 18, 2005 at the age of 20 years. The painting has been extracted from a photograph taken of the military cemetery at Dieppe France, on July 19, 1999, which Lindsay had visited with her family.

Through Lindsay’s home upbringing and exposure to books, family discussion and family trips to World War I and II locations, Lindsay developed a keen interest in Canada’s military history and the sacrifice of its soldiers.

When Lindsay was 15 years old, we made a family trip to France. During the trip, Lindsay, along with her younger brother and sister, was lucky enough to travel to Normandy, Dieppe and Vimy Ridge, all key locations of World War I and II battles. As a family, we made it a point to visit several military cemeteries. Lindsay was touched by the experience; she clearly understood the sacrifice and the cost to secure freedom.

The Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund in 2007 has donated to The Military Museums located in Calgary, Alberta. At the time of Lindsay’s death she was in the process of switching into a History major at University because her interest was so keen. Just prior to her death, she had managed to make a significant donation (from a frugal university student perspective) to the Juno Beach Centre in France, which was built to recognize the sacrifice of the Canadian WWII veterans.

Lindsay had a great uncle, Jake Giacomelli, who was a veteran of World War II. Lindsay never met her great uncle, however in the context of this message we would like to provide some Internet links which describe some of his military history War Accounts of a Stirling Bomber and The "Lucky" Crew

Abbotsford MP Randy White, has retired from Federal politics and as a result his web site is no longer online.

We will update links to Carley's Law that were directed to Randy's web site as soon as possible.