by HILARY ANAKA
From the quirky to the sentimental, family traditions strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. The University Hospital Foundation is fortunate to be part of many families’ traditions of philanthropic giving — passing down generosity from generation to generation. Founded by August (Gus) and Colleen Rosenau in 1957, Rosenau Transport was a family-owned trucking company based in Edmonton. Three generations led the company over the years — Gus, his son, Carl and Carl’s son, Ken — and each made a point of giving back to the community that supported them.
“I saw my grandfather do what he could for the community when he ran the business, and then I saw my dad do even more as the company flourished,” recalls Ken Rosenau. “They thought if you own a business and have the means to give, you should, and we did just that. As the company grew, we realized we couldn’t give to every cause, so we focused on the ones near and dear to us.”
Supporting the University Hospital Foundation was a natural fit, as both Gus and Carl had health challenges and relied on the expert care in Edmonton. From sponsoring Heart Pledge Day to chairing a golf tournament to donating trailers to Festival of Trees, the family and the family business have been donors since 1995.
The family sold Rosenau Transport in 2021, and Ken left the business in May 2024. In addition to spending time with his wife and young son, he was keen to stay involved with the Foundation, and is now chairing the Head and Heart Campaign committee.
“At some point, you or someone you love is going to need the hospital. We’re so lucky to have that level of care in Edmonton, and I’m honoured to be part of the Foundation. People are going to get tired of me asking them for money for it,” Ken jokes.
Above: Ken Rosenau, Third Generation Supporter
Below: Carl Rosenau, pictured with his grandkids in 2016
Rachel Edwards, Sally Sawin
Photography Amanda Freely
Rachel Edwards, 35, still remembers attending her first Festival of Trees when she was in high school. Her parents, Allan and Sally Sawin, and grandparents, Matt and Betty-Jean Baldwin, were active supporters of the Foundation and had been going for years, and she was finally old enough to attend with her brother.
“It was magical with all the trees around and a nice kick-off to Christmas, but I really loved hearing what the doctors had to say and learning about the cause,” recalls Rachel. “It was very moving to hear from people affected.”
Her parents and grandparents were early donors to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute at the University of Alberta Hospital, the stroke ambulance and the home hemodialysis program, and Allan and Sally served on the Foundation’s board.
Over time, Rachel got more involved and now leads both her parents’ and grandparents’ family foundations. “I feel so grateful to be hands-on and seeing the results of the support we’ve given first-hand.”
While Rachel’s daughters are still toddlers, she looks forward to involving them in the family tradition of giving back to the community.
“I hope our kids have the same kind of philanthropic values and really understand how important it is to give back,” says Rachel. “I want them to keep it going and also find something important for them to support.”
Daniel Charbonneau, 37, who came to Edmonton for work, didn’t know much about the University Hospital Foundation at first, or the hospital sites it supports. But in 2020, he had a freak accident and needed to get stitches at the University of Alberta Hospital. He made a full recovery, but long after the stitches dissolved, he’s been struck by the care he received.
His dad, Arnie Charbonneau, was a successful business leader in Calgary and a generous philanthropist who supported many causes. He passed away in 2018, but Arnie’s legacy of giving continues through his charitable foundation and the values he instilled in his children.
Daniel is following in his father’s footsteps of health philanthropy. After his emergency room visit, he gave generously to support high priority needs in the emergency department, including a blood infuser machine. Since that time, he and his wife Aliya have donated to numerous areas of care and signed up to be part of the inaugural University Hospital Foundation Igniters, a group of next-gen philanthropists who are donating and advising on how contributions are allocated.
“I really feel for the medical staff. It can be a thankless job, and they’re doing the best they can, but it’s not easy. In whatever ways I can, I wanted to try and help,” says Daniel.
While they don’t have kids yet, Daniel and Aliya hope to grow their family and instill in them the same generosity that Arnie had.
“Late in my dad’s life, he shared more about his approach to giving, and I’d like to pass that on to them. It’s about the results. I don’t care about the recognition. I care about the effectiveness of the donation.”
It’s about the results. I don’t care about the recognition. I care about the effectiveness of the donation.
Aliya & Daniel Charbonneau
Photography Amanda Freely
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