Interest and enthusiasm around the new Museum’s programs and exhibits prompted North Shore residents Doug and Margaret Hatlelid to “put their money where their heart is” with a donation that will help MONOVA to realize a number of projects. Wonderfully, their gift was matched by an anonymous donor during a special matching gift challenge, doubling their impact.

The Hatlelids see their contributions as circular. Yes, they give, but in return they’ve learned so much about North Vancouver’s history. They’re helping to create a resource that will help the community better understand how we got to where we are now.

Community and volunteering are important to Doug and Margaret Hatlelid, who met 20 years ago while volunteering at Bard on the Beach, where they still volunteer today.

Doug’s lifelong interest in history and, in particular, the history of places where he has lived, brought him to volunteer with the NVMA. He is especially fascinated with North Vancouver’s rapid transformation from an ancient forest to a modern metropolis. Doug shared his time with us at last year’s Canada Day celebrations and Coho Festival. He continues volunteering with us on other projects, such as documenting the education collection’s photographs.