50 Years of Impact: Building Futures, One Trade at a Time

When Michael Saunders retired after 34 years with the City of Saint John, he wasn't thinking about slowing down. He was thinking about how he could continue giving back to the community that had shaped his life. 

A lifelong Saint John resident, Michael has spent decades volunteering with his church, service clubs, unions, sports teams, the YMCA, the Saint John Y's Men's Club, and the United Way. Throughout his life, he has believed that strong communities are built when people invest in one another. 

In 2023, Michael turned that belief into action by establishing the Michael Saunders Bursary Fund with the Greater Saint John Community Foundation. The fund provides annual support to a student from Harbour View High School in Saint John's North End who is pursuing a trade program at NBCC. 

For Michael, the motivation is personal. Having worked union jobs throughout his career and seeing firsthand the value of skilled trades, he understands the opportunities these careers create for individuals, families, and communities. He also recognizes the growing need for skilled workers and entrepreneurs in New Brunswick's building trades sector. 

Rather than making a one-time donation, Michael chose to create something lasting. His fund will continue generating support for future students year after year, helping remove financial barriers and opening doors to meaningful careers. He has even committed to continuing contributions to the fund throughout his lifetime. 

As we celebrate 50 years of community impact, Michael's story reminds us that philanthropy doesn't require extraordinary wealth, it starts with a desire to help the next generation succeed. Through one fund, one student, and one opportunity at a time, he is helping build a stronger future for Greater Saint John.