FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

One of our priorities as we move the Christmas Cheer Board to a new reality is to
always remember our past. In this case, that means honouring the remarkable
contributions of our late executive director Kai Madsen.

With that firmly in mind, today we announce the Kai Madsen Memorial
Scholarship, a scholarship fund that will help students from Winnipeg high schools to
continue their post-secondary education.

The scholarship will be awarded to a student from schools in the Winnipeg School
Division each year going forward and represents one of the best ways we know to keep
his legacy in mind. Our partner in the establishment and administration of this
scholarship is The Winnipeg Foundation.

“After Kai's passing, the board of directors looked for the best way to honour his
memory,” said current executive director Shawna Bell. “We also heard from so many
people across the city and beyond. After speaking with the family, we felt the best way to
remember Kai was to work with The Winnipeg Foundation to establish this scholarship."

“The financial costs of post-secondary education are often a barrier for young
people pursuing their dreams. Through this scholarship, Kai's love of Winnipeg lives on,
helping inner-city students achieve their education goals.”

Madsen had been involved with the Cheer Board for five decades, more than half of
those as executive director. He retired from that post in 2021 and then passed away later
in the year. The show must go on, however, the CCB knows that only too well.

“Kai may have left us, but the important work of the Cheer Board continues,” says
Board chair Jackie Britton. “This fall, we will return to food and toy hampers knowing
that he is beside us cheering us on to help families in need over the holidays.”

The Kai scholarship is not the first of its kind for CCB. A scholarship in the name
of Byrdye Beckel has been awarded each year since 1999. Beckel was of course
executive director of the charity prior to Madsen.

For more information, please contact Bell at 204-981-8705.