About the Foundation
The Vince and Esther Leger Family Foundation is committed to offering a range of support services to families in need. Our focus is on providing financial assistance to families who are trying to adopt chilren into christian families. We also provide resources and financial assistance to families dealing with the loss of a parent or child. We believe in the power of charity and the rewards that this gives both the giver and receiver.
James 1:27 (NIV)
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Our Purpose
Sibling Adoption
Our family comes from a long line of adoptions and we choose to honor the selfless actions our ancestors by supporting families that seek to adopt children. We have a special place in our hearts for families who are seeking to facilitate adoptions that keep siblings together under one roof. Due to the Leger Family having seven children, Vince was separated from his family when he was adopted. Luckily, Vince's father continued to care for the older children while the younger children were adopted by local families. This allowed Vince to maintain contact with his siblings during his childhood and throughout his life.
Adoption of Older Children
Because of the Leger family's willingness to adopt Vince at the age of seven, our family places a special focus on families who are aiming to adopt older children. On average, 85% of prospective adoptive parents prefer children under age 5, which can make adoption harder for older children. We hope to provide resources to those who specifically support the adoption of older children.
Adoption and Family Support, Not Abortion
Esther's mother gave birth at sixteen years old and our family is keenly aware that in modern times, a young woman may be pushed by her family, friends, and society to favor abortion over adoption. The Vince and Esther Leger Family Foundation cares deeply for young mothers and aims to provide resources to young mothers to allow them to make the decision to keep a baby, regardless of their financial situation. The Leger Family Foundation aims to provide support to young mothers, whether they aim to keep their child, or to place the child up for adoption.
Support for Families Touched by Tragedy
We have been especially touched by the experience of losing a child or by losing a spouse and the challenges that come with raising a family in this scenario. With this, we offer financial support for families who are impacted by these types of tragedies. Keep an eye out for a future program labeled "Operation Purple" in honor of our own Kathrine who we lost in 2021.
Vince and Esther's Stories
Vince was born in Ste. Marie de Kent, NB, in1938, he was the son Edward and Anne Marie Cormier. Following his mother's passing in 1947, he was adopted by Francis and Emilda Leger and raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Vince was a United States Army Veteran serving from 1959 to 1962 and a real estate broker and the owner of Vince Leger Realty in San Diego County until his retirement.
Vince was a parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church of Winchendon, MA. He was a member of the Gardner Lodge of Elks, Gardner Fish and Gun Club, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Winchendon. Vince's greatest joy was his family, always treasuring the special moments they had together.
Vince's first wife Esther (Campbell) Leger passed away unexpectedly in 1997 at the age of 68. Vince remarried a childhood family friend, Dorilla "Dori" (Cormier) Allain Leger after the passing of Esther. Vince and Dori were married for 23 years until Vince's passing in May 24th, 2023, exactly 25 years to the day after Esther's passing.
Esther was born in 1929 to Irene Cochran who was only 16 at the time. Esther was soon after adopted by Mary an Ralph Campbell of San Diego, California. More to come about Esther...