THUNDER BAY -- Jennifer Godick doesn’t know why her brother Robert wanted to leave $50,000 to Shelter House Thunder Bay, but she’s proud of him nonetheless.
Robert Godick passed away at age 43 of a heart attack. He was a dishwasher at Masala Grille and when he passed, he not only left $50,000 for Shelter House but helped six other people live as an organ donor.
“I’m very happy to say I’m his sister and although he has passed away, he’s still going to be in the lives of other people helping them live and he’s going to help the city of Thunder Bay and Shelter House,” Jennifer Godick said Thursday afternoon at the George Street shelter as her three young children handed the cheque to Shelter House executive director Patty Hajdu.
The donation will be put into the shelter’s reserve funds to ensure the survival of programs like the Street Outreach Service if other funding ever falls through, said Hajdu.
The organization is responsible for fundraising between $300,000 to $500,000 every year to keep the shelter operational, which is a struggle. However, sizeable donations like Robert Godick’s are a big boost in allowing the shelter to reach their targets, said Hajdu.
And while all donations are generous, it’s moving when the organization receives personal ones, especially from someone like Robert Godick, who lost his life so young, added Hajdu.
“It means that person first and foremost has recognized the value of Shelter House,’ she said.
“You never really know why someone is motivated to choose your charity but often it is because they have either volunteered with us or sometimes they’ve had family members or friends or somebody who has been served by this organization. That’s really heartwarming to know they see the good that Shelter House provides to our citizens.”
