Story Posted: 2025-05-27
A Family Tradition of Generosity: Don & Janet Neufield and Family
From the 2025 Spring Spirit Newsletter.
Pictured: Don and Janet Neufeld.
For Don and Janet Neufeld and their family, giving back is more than just a philanthropic endeavour — it honours the generosity shown to their family nearly a century ago. “My family immigrated to Canada in the early 1920s, with my grandfather passing away a month before my dad was born,” explains Don. “My family was very poor.” Don believes his own father’s philanthropic spirit began very early, inspired by the “charity and benevolence of the community that helped my grandmother with her kids.” Similarly, Janet grew up with parents who prioritized generosity. “As we’ve grown older,” she says, “we realize just how important it is.”
The Neufeld Charitable Foundation has supported the community since 1977, established following the founding of the family’s business, J&H Builder’s Warehouse, in 1969. Now, the Neufelds are continuing their generous support with a $100,000 gift to St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation’s By Your Side Kidney Care Campaign.
Kidney health is close to home for Don and Janet. They have a number of friends and family members affected by kidney disease, including Janet herself. “We see so many people that have kidney health challenges,” says Don. “It’s definitely in our sphere,” Janet adds, “and there are a lot of people like me that you may not even know about.”
Don also values the lasting friendships he’s built with members of First Nations communities over the years, through both sports and business. Through these relationships, he has learned about the disproportionate impact kidney disease has on Indigenous people, which has driven him to support the campaign’s focus on bringing proactive health care to rural communities facing high rates of kidney disease. “We’re thrilled whenever we have the chance to help out in Saskatoon, and across Saskatchewan,” Don shares. “We’re just happy to do what we can.”
For the Neufelds, creating a lasting legacy of generosity within their family is a top priority. Beyond financial contributions, they place significant value on giving their time. Done has dedicated countless hours to volunteering, serving on various boards and participating in campaigns that raise funds for community initiatives. Reflecting on his experiences, he says, “I think it’s just a big part of life. The more I volunteer in this community and I see people and talk to people that are experiencing health challenges, I feel I’ve got a responsibility to do as much as I can to help the people I meet.” The Neufelds also encourage others to engage with causes they care about. “Whether it’s $5 or $5,000, just get involved, get off the sideline and get in the game,” Don urges. They also stress the importance of involving future generations in this work. Janet notes, “Our children, who are all adults, are part of our Foundation … and they know how important it is.”
The youngest members of the family are also being taught the value of giving. As Janet explains, “We have three adult grandchildren, and three little ones … and they all get to be a part of this.”
The Neufelds’ unwavering commitment to generosity continues to inspire every member of their family, ensuring that their legacy of giving will endure for generations to come.