A Life of Service, A Legacy of Care

Rahim Rahemtulla believed that giving should be rooted in care for others. “From a young age, he found ways to serve his community — it was instinctive,” his mother, Gulnar, says. On winter mornings, Rahim could be found shovelling sidewalks. In Grade 7, he launched Snow Angels at Crestwood School, rallying friends to help even more neighbours throughout the winter. They volunteered all season and always refused payment. In recognition of his leadership, from launching Snow Angels to serving as student council president, Crestwood School established the Rahim Rahemtulla Student Council Award.

In Grade 10, Rahim’s friend Amanda Versluys ran for student council at Archbishop MacDonald High School but was not elected. The following year, when she hesitated to run again, Rahim encouraged her to persevere. With his support, she campaigned once more and won. “He had a big heart and genuinely cared about people,” Versluys recalls. Years later, Versluys’ younger brother, Thomas, who is autistic and non-verbal, was heartbroken when their front porch lion statues were stolen. When Rahim heard, he surprised Thomas with two new replica statues.

He would always keep Subway gift cards on hand, distributing them to those in need. These moments reflect a pattern that defined Rahim’s life: an instinct to notice others and step in, often without being asked. Rahim’s commitment to service was deeply rooted in his family’s long tradition of giving. “Giving back is something our families have done for generations,” his father, Aziz, explains. Rahim’s grandparents contributed to their communities by building student housing, schools and sports clubs, as well as supporting social work initiatives.

After Rahim’s passing, the family sought a way to honour those values not just in memory, but through lasting action. To ensure Rahim’s commitment to service would continue in perpetuity, the Rahemtulla family established the Rahim Jivanjee Rahemtulla Endowment Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF). “Families often come to us wanting to transform grief into lasting good,” says Matt Mandrusiak, Manager, Philanthropy at ECF. “The Rahemtulla endowment is a meaningful way to carry Rahim’s legacy forward for generations.”

In its first year, the endowment provided meals to more than 6,000 people across Edmonton. Families received hot food through Hope Mission, youth enjoyed hot dinners at Tegler House and children were supplied with school lunches through Kids in Action. During Ramadan, it supported IslamicFamily (formerly Islamic Family and Social Services Association) by providing healthy groceries to families observing the holy month. The endowment also supports the Crestwood Student Council, giving students the resources to respond to emerging challenges and continue Rahim’s legacy of service.

One of the earliest initiatives supported by the fund was Rahim’s Khair, a collaboration with the University of Alberta and the Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative. The initiative addressed culturally appropriate food security for refugee and immigrant families. Through bulk-purchase co-ops and community kitchen workshops, Rahim’s Khair highlighted dignity, shared humanity and the principles of food justice.

As the fund has grown, the family has become increasingly aware of both the depth of need in Edmonton and the potential for sustained, meaningful impact. They are now seeking a longterm charitable partner to develop a dedicated program in Rahim’s honour, one that reflects the values that guided his life. “The next chapter is one of stewardship — f inding a partner who can carry Rahim’s values forward in a way that is thoughtful, enduring and true to his spirit,” says his sister, Noor.

For the Rahemtulla family, the goal is clear: to ensure that Rahim continues to shape the communities he loved.

Charitable organizations interested in exploring a collaboration are invited to contact ECF at info@ecf.ca.

This story comes from the Spring 2026 edition of Thrive Magazine.

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