Foundation Mission
The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education was established to ensure the Hawkins family – Laurie, Richard, Cassandra and Jordan – did not perish in vain. As a registered charity, it is bound by the requirements and laws of all registered charities in Canada under the Canadian Revenue Agency.
John Gignac, Laurie’s uncle, acts as spokesperson about the family’s terrible loss and is the face of the Foundation created in their honour. Not one for the limelight, John nonetheless has done more than 100 media interviews about CO safety and his family’s story including live appearances on Canada am, Breakfast TV and all major TV networks. And he has confronted his personal fear of flying to visit multiple communities in Canada to warn others about the dangers of carbon monoxide and urge them to protect themselves by installing a CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarm.
The Foundation has two primary purposes:
- To educate people on the dangers of carbon monoxide gas:
- its sources
- its symptoms
- its statistics
- its prevention and detection
- To raise funds to purchase carbon monoxide alarms:
- alarms will be bought at special rates from Canada’s CO alarm manufacturers
- fire departments can apply to the Foundation to receive donated alarms
- alarm grants will be tracked and distribution verified in each community
Laurie's legacy
At 41, Laurie Hawkins (nee Gignac) was a community services officer for the Oxford County Ontario Provincial Police and was one of the most familiar faces across the region. She was a petite powerhouse, known for her school visits during which she delivered straight talk to young students about everything from drugs to bullying. Her visits to senior’s residences were much anticipated, as were her stints at Camp Hope for “at-risk” youth each summer. After policing for 19 years, she had just been appointed chief media spokesperson.
She and husband Richard, 40, grew up in North Bay. He was known as a diehard hockey dad. Daughter Cassandra, who was 14, was an outgoing teen with plenty of friends but with strong attachment to home. Son Jordan, 12, delivered newspapers with the same spirit he endured his autism. He and Laurie shared a special, deep bond. With a few soft words and locking of eyes, it was Laurie who could calm and soothe her son like no one else could.
Ben and Donna Gignac (deceased 2017) of North Bay struggle with the horrible tragedy as any parents would. But they find some comfort in knowing Laurie, Richard, Cassie and Jordan’s passing will perhaps serve as a warning beacon for other families. In her own special way their daughter Laurie is teaching and protecting others still.