After giving about $1 million to Greater Victoria agencies from his personal bank account and his foundation, Mickey Hajash received a national award.Hajash, 86, moved to Victoria with his wife Donna 25 years ago and since then, has made more than $500,000 in personal donations to the United Way of Greater Victoria, as well as donating donating another half-million through the Donna and Mickey Hajash Foundation to charities and post-secondary scholarships.Recently, he received the André Mailhot Award from the United Way of Canada, for his generosity, modesty, courage and donations that go above and beyond the norm.Donations of the size Hajash has contributed “can make the difference between a program existing or not existing,” said United Way CEO Linda Hughes.But, she added, donations of any size are as valuable. “Every donor is important to the United Way, whether they’re able to donate $20, or tens or hundreds of thousands.”Hajash is a Hungarian immigrant, a former Calgary Stampeder, who played in the 1949 Grey Cup final and a former explorations scientist who worked around the world for Imperial Oil.ecardone@vicnews.com

Victoria News