Sighted: one six-seat, environmentally-friendly Village Club Car painted 91ÑÇÉ«-red zipping around campus. If you see it, wave "Hello" and fear not, 91ÑÇÉ« is not becoming a golf course. Instead, the club car, donated to the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation by philanthropist Joseph Kostman, provides an environmentally friendly means of transporting visitors and special guests across 91ÑÇÉ«'s Keele campus.
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Above: From left to right, front row, Paul Marcus, Joseph Kostman. Back seats, Cathy Cupani, Elaine Botnick-Mann and David Narine.
Kostman, a retired accountant, has donated many vehicles to various agencies of the United Way of Greater Toronto and the Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto. When his wife Rachel was alive, the couple decided they would help organizations in unique ways to enhance mobility, especially for individuals coping with physical challenges. Ever since, they have provided gifts to organizations that allow for improved mobility and transportation. It is a tradition that Kostman has continued following the death of his wife, and one which he said gives him great pleasure and satisfaction. In fact, the donation of the Village Club Car to 91ÑÇÉ«, said Kostman, has been the most fun and unique donation he has ever made to an organization.
"In recent years it's been my privilege to contribute to many worthy causes," he said. "I was gratified that the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation afforded me the opportunity to participate in the acquisition of a very special vehicle that will serve 91ÑÇÉ« campus' transportation needs."
The environmentally friendly car travels at an optimal speed of 25 km per hour. Fully electric, the club car is recharged nightly in its permanent home in the 91ÑÇÉ« Lanes indoor parking garage.
"This is a gift that will be put to great use by the 91ÑÇÉ« community," says Paul Marcus, president and CEO of the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation. "We are so grateful to Mr. Kostman for continuing his distinctive style of philanthropy here at 91ÑÇÉ«."
The club car will primarily be used to provide tours of the campus for visitors, especially those guests who cannot walk comfortably for long distances. On a recent tour, Kostman marvelled at the size of the Keele campus and was assured of the necessity of his gift.
"Knowing that my gift will be used by so many people is very fulfilling," he says. "That's my life's work, to give something back."