During her long and inspiring life, Ruth Goldbloom was famous for raising money for good causes.
Goldbloom was known to many as a small woman with a big heart and is credited with almost single-handedly raising the millions needed to establish the National Immigration Museum at Pier 21 in Halifax.
A week has passed since Goldbloom lost her battle with cancer at the age of 88 but her fundraising efforts seem to be an enduring part of her legacy. Donations are flooding in to the causes Goldbloom loved, in her memory.
Pier 21 is particularly overwhelmed by the support since Goldbloom’s death. Officials say the museum has been flooded with phone calls from people wanting to make donations to her memorial fund.
“I know that Ruth would be so proud and so happy,” says Fiona Valverde of Pier 21. “She’s shining on us right now, for sure, to know that more children from Canada come here and learn those things.”
It all adds up to tens of thousands of dollars to ensure Canadian youth can continue to visit Pier 21.
“This is exactly what she would have wanted,” says Goldbloom’s son, Dr. David Goldbloom. “Not a pure celebration of her, but the use of her death as an opportunity to create more opportunities.’
Goldbloom was a crusader for a number of charities, leading the charge for fundraising initiatives and events.
One of her most recent projects was a ladies golf tournament in support of the Kids Help Phone, which tees off on Tuesday. The tournament has seen an outpouring of support from corporate sponsors, participants and the Goldbloom family leading up to the sold-out event.
“It’s going to be a tough day on Tuesday, but also a day of celebration,” says Shelley Richardson of the Kids Help Phone. “Ruth danced at this event last year. She danced, so I hope we can all find the ability to dance for her.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jill Chappell
