Shindico has donated $20,000 to support the cenotaph expansion in the presidents' hometown. Sandy and Robert Shindleman can never forget Portage la Prairie and demonstrate that regularly, as evidenced by their opportunity to help out in the recent upgrade work at Veterans Memorial Park. But there's more to it than assisting their hometown
The gesture, Sandy explains, comes from a long family history of military service and respect for veterans. His father and uncles all served in the Canadian Armed Forces, and that upbringing instilled in him the importance of gratitude and support.
Shindleman notes, “We were always trained to thank people for their service and to help veterans in any way we could, whether it was extending credit or providing groceries. If a veteran lived in a house that we owned, the rent never went up. It was something that we could afford to do, and we did.”
He says the cenotaph had begun to show its age, and it was important to ensure the site remains a place of remembrance for those who gave their lives.
Shindleman adds, “The Cenotaph was looking its age, let’s say. I think that it’s important to memorialize the veterans and the service that they gave us, many of them paying the ultimate sacrifice. We feel that we could do this, we could afford to do this. It’s on our Main Street.”
Encouraging others to support Portage
Although he now works out of Toronto, Shindleman emphasizes that Portage la Prairie remains home for him and his brother.
He continues, “Portage is still the hometown for my brother and I. I’m going on a podcast this afternoon in Toronto, and I’ll be reiterating that Portage is our hometown. If we can help out a little bit, we encourage others to do the same. Maybe not $20,000, maybe $18,000, or even $18. Whatever they can do helps things along.”
Shindleman says he hopes the donation sparks more community involvement in honouring veterans, no matter the amount given.
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