As the Solcz Family Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting not only on what has been accomplished over the past decade, but also on the people, relationships, and shared values that have made this work possible.

The Solcz Family Foundation was established in 2016 by Michael G. Solcz (2024), his wife, Doreen (2025), and their four sons, Len, Marty, Michael, and Mark. Their vision was simple: to create a foundation that would improve the welfare of the Windsor-Essex community while also engaging the next generation of family in its philanthropic work.

As we reflect on the past ten years, we see that vision has grown into something much larger. It has been shaped by the countless charities, volunteers, and community partners who dedicate themselves to serving others and strengthening our community every day. These are the people doing the difficult and often unseen work, ensuring the vulnerable members of our community receive the supports, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. While the Foundation may provide financial support, it is our charitable partners who transform that support into meaningful change. They are the ones on the front lines responding to some of our community's most pressing challenges with compassion, dedication, and resilience. We remain deeply humbled by their commitment and grateful for the opportunity to support their work.

Through our relationships with charities and community partners, we have learned that meaningful philanthropy is about much more than funding projects and programs. It’s about listening, building trust, understanding community needs, and working together to create opportunities that may not otherwise exist. These partnerships have shaped our understanding of what it means to be a thoughtful and responsive funder, and they continue to heavily influence how we approach our work.

This anniversary is particularly meaningful as it follows a period of profound loss for our family and Foundation. The passing of both Michael Sr. and Doreen within six months of one another has given us an opportunity to reflect on the values that inspired the Foundation's creation and continue to guide its future. Their commitment to family, community, and helping others remains deeply embedded in everything we do.

We are equally grateful for the continued leadership and commitment of co-founders, Len, Marty, Michael, and Mark, whose ongoing involvement ensures the Foundation remains grounded in the principles on which it was established. Their dedication, together with the growing involvement of future generations, reflects the founders' vision of creating not only a source of lasting community impact, but also a meaningful way for family members to come together around a shared purpose.

Over the past decade, we have come to appreciate that a family foundation serves a purpose beyond philanthropy. It creates opportunities for family members to learn from one another, strengthen relationships, and collectively steward a commitment that extends beyond any one generation. Today, multiple generations of the Solcz family remain actively involved in the Foundation's work.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to building on the vision that inspired the Foundation's creation. We are focused on ensuring the Foundation continues to evolve and create meaningful impact for years to come.

To our volunteers, charities, community partners, and everyone who has been part of this journey with us, thank you. This milestone belongs to all of you. We couldn't do this work without you.

As we begin our second decade, we do so with gratitude for the past, optimism for the future, and a renewed commitment to supporting the charities who make Windsor-Essex stronger every day. We remain grateful for the opportunity to play a role in the incredible work happening throughout our community.