Why I Give
John Macfarlane stepped to the plate and helped make photo exhibition a reality
John Macfarlane helped bring the United Way PhotoSensitive Exhibition to life.
On a recent visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame, John Macfarlane took his sons on a detour, not to get hot dogs but to see a very special photography exhibit. The Strength Within: A PhotoSensitive Exhibition Marking the 50th Anniversary of United Way of Greater Toronto was on display in the atrium at BCE Place and John wanted his sons to see it. “It’s very important to put a human face on the need in our community, to see where United Way funding really goes and remind people—adults and children alike—that though we may walk through these public spaces on our way home and not always see the need that’s around us, that need is real and United Way is working to address it.”
John has a personal connection to the PhotoSensitive exhibit—he helped make it happen. A partner at the prestigious law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, John last year spearheaded the drive to secure sponsorship of the exhibition and commemorative book.
This generosity represents only one facet of the long-standing and deep relationship Osler has with United Way. For the past seven years, Osler has consistently set the campaign bar for other law firms, exceeding its own fundraising goals each year and last year giving more than $1 million, with John as Partner Leadership Chair.
“As proud as I am of the work we do at Osler and the success we’ve achieved, I take equal if not greater pride in the charitable work we do on behalf of our community,” says John, who is himself a generous supporter of United Way with his wife Amy. “It’s one of the single most unifying things we do as a firm, and there’s no better time spent. You just find the time.”