Charity Begins at Home
Story appeared in the 2018 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY HAYLEY PICARD, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
The Danyliw Family
For as long as Ann Buttner-Danyliw and Brian Danyliw can remember, the concept of philanthropy and giving back to the community have been part of their family.
“By helping Queen Margaret’s School grow today, we will make it even better for our children tomorrow.”
Ann and Brian have raised their two children in the Cowichan Valley, and both Maggy (Grade 4) and Jakob (Grade 5) attend Queen Margaret’s School. Both children enjoy their time at QMS and each have found something unique to love about the school.
For Maggy, it is all about the horses. “She would sleep overnight in the barn if we allowed her to,” chuckles Ann. Maggy’s love of horses and experiences in the Equestrian Program have increased her confidence and sparked a deep love for equine partnerships. Jakob’s love of QMS is rooted in his sense of belonging, wearing the school uniform, and problem solving with Tobias Staley, IT Manager. Jakob’s passion for technology has afforded him the rare opportunity to work directly with the IT team to problem-solve IT challenges and be part of the innovation process.
As parents, Ann and Brian love the beauty of the campus—the wide open spaces and abundant West Coast greenery. They appreciate the small class sizes, the unique equestrian program, experiential learning opportunities, and open communication with staff and parents. All of these elements make QMS special to them.
Being part of a community of parents and teachers who are engaged and involved in their children’s education has made an incredible difference for the Danyliw family and inspires them to give back to the School through volunteering and financial contributions. “By investing in our children’s school, we are investing in the future,” observes Ann.
Brian echoes this sentiment, recognizing that their children will spend their foundational years at QMS. “By helping Queen Margaret’s School grow today, we will make it even better for our children tomorrow.”
The Danyliw family is part of a growing league of parents who give back to Queen Margaret’s School. Whether families donate their personal time or provide financial support, every little bit matters and makes a difference to QMS students. With the support of donors, QMS can take learning beyond the classroom, increase opportunities for students to engage in hands-on problem solving, and provide new educational spaces that bring learning to life.