Children's Ability Fund

Celebrating 60 Years

Download and Read about the History of the Children's Ability Fund, from our inception in 1947 to the present.

Children’s Ability Fund’s 60th anniversary celebrates yesterday, today and looks forward to tomorrow.

Today the Children’s Ability Fund of the Northern Alberta Crippled Children’s Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary with friends at the ACT Recreation Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Supporters, staff and members took guests through a historical journey of one of Alberta’s longest running charity’s past, present and continued need for future support.

The Northern Alberta Crippled Children's Fund (NACCF) was established in 1947 by the Associated Canadian Travellers (ACT) as a means to provide funds to assist people with disabilities in the communities of Northern Alberta.

“ACT is all about giving back to the community that we derive our livelihood from. Our organization knew our community needed help for children with disabilities and in 1947 created The Northern Alberta Crippled Children’s Fund, known today as the Children’s Ability Fund.” said Steve MacEachern, ACT member. He adds, “Our first fundraising effort was the Search for Talent show which was held in Barrhead. Search for Talent ran until 1973 and grew into the popular and historical Telerama. Telerama raised millions of dollars for the Children’s Ability Fund. ACT continues to help people with disabilities by fundraising at events like Gold Brick, bingos and casinos.”

Carol Russ, Executive Director of the Children’s Ability Fund of the Northern Alberta Crippled Children’s Foundation said “Sixty years ago, a child with a disability had little to look forward to in adult life. Regular work was thought to be impossible and institutionalization was the norm. There was little specialized equipment available and outings that you and I take for granted were impossible. I am so proud that we played such an important role in recognizing abilities rather than disabilities in our Alberta communities. Our name may have changed since our inception, but our focus remains the same – we continue to provide an essential service to people with disabilities and the communities they live in.”

Today the Children’s Ability Fund provides an average of $350,000 in equipment a year to help people with disabilities in Alberta. “We provide equipment from modified bikes, power chairs, communication devices and support barrier free projects – we assist with requests from community groups and people of all ages, with any disability.” Russ adds “Of course we cannot provide these items without donations and hope that Alberta will continue to give generously to our organization for another 60 years.”

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