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Special Musings Report:

Hardies Family Trust donates nearly $250,000 

for the Calendar Year 2024 bringing the 3-year

donation total approaching $1,00,000

Each year engaged supporters of Livonia discuss applications for funding and support from the Bob Hardies Family Trust. Heartfelt discussions centered on how these donations to community organizations benefit the town that Bob called home.

This year the total donations of nearly $250,000 which brings the total donations over the past three years to a level approaching $1,000,000.

All from one man who was known by name but was never really known during his time, over 30 years, doing business in Livonia. He lived in Northville having been raised in Royal Oak but always considered Livonia his home.

At least once a week for several years he would call this typewriter and say "Are we meeting at the Blue Plate." My answer was always sure, what time? And we were off for what usually turned into a 1.5 to 2-hour luncheon with Bob offering suggestions on what he would like to see happen in Livonia.

It could have been his love for the LSO, his desire to learn more about Seedlings, his introductions to the Youth Orchestra, or his work with Rotary. It even led to the bodyguard and typewriter working with him on the Best Kept Secrets of Livonia. Always, moving forward and improving the community.

Brandon McCullough, President of the Livonia City Council, stopped by the check presentations this afternoon to congratulate the HFT on being right up to the $1,000,000 level of donations.

"What a legacy from one person who loved this community and we all benefit from what he has passed on. Thank you Bob Hardies."

Bob passed away too young. With his passing much of his legacy is wrapped up in his Family Trust, reaching out from beyond to continue improving his hometown. Included in his legacy is the recognition that he left a solid company, Financial & Portfolio Advisors, in the capable hands of Dan MacIver, Deborah, and Gena. Not a project goes on in Livonia without F&PA and Dan MacIver pitching in to help, whether it is Clarenceville Schools, Livonia Kids & Families, Symphony, Seedlings, or the Red Wings v All-Stars. Another way that his legacy continues.

Bob Hardies had a heart of gold. These awarded donations today speak volumes that his legacy lives on and in his words, "I am throwing down the gauntlet. Let others accept my challenge to improve their lives and impact our hometown."

Motor City Youth Theatre

$5,000

Starting process for designing and estimating construction cost for new larger lobby.

Livonia Civic Ballet

$7,500

Production of 2 annual educational

workshops and winter dance performance.

Livonia Community Theatre

$15,000 + $7,500

Sponsorship of Shakespeare in the Park. Improvements to the new home theatre.

Livonia Symphony Orchestra

$50,000

Continued support for concerts during the Symphony's 51st season

Livonia Community Chorus

$50,000

Continued support for community performances, scholarships, sound system.

Madonna University Lyric Theatre

$3,000

New spotlights for Lyric Theatre

productions and other music events.

Blessings in a Backpack-Livonia

$5,000

Assist in providing food every weekend for 500 students at13 LPS schools for 38 weeks..

Seedlings Braille Books for Children

$36,200

Support for the For Beginners. Upgrade outdated network cabling and phone system.

Lost Voices

$30,000

Fund 3 Lost Voices programs to bring hope and healing to kids who have experienced significant emotional trauma.

Livonia Historical Society

$2,000

Year Two for a Day at Greenmead for LPS

Elementary students. The partnership is with Livonia Kids & Families donation of $2,000.

Livonia Neighborhood Corn Roast

$4,000

7th Annual Corn Roast provides networking for community organizations and residents

D.O. It for Denny

$5,000

Support for a Kindness Initiative that uses monthly projects to D.O. Good. 

Livonia Education Foundation

$5,000

Providing classroom donations for LPS teachers of Autistic students

Clarenceville Marching Band

$5,000

Matching funds towards fundraising for new marching band uniforms

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

[email protected]

Cell address

734-674-5871

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.