By Jeremy Bergen, Swan Valley Star and Times
The Community Foundation of Swan Valley (CFSV) held its third annual Spring Granting Night on Wednesday (April 27) in the SVRSS Cafeteria, presenting several grants to various community organizations around the Swan Valley.
“This evening we are here to celebrate the granting of over $28,000 in support of nine projects across the Valley,” said CFSV Board Chair Lynda Parsons. “These projects touch on valuable senior and youth programming, vital infrastructure and nutrition, a testament to the legacy started 17 years ago by our founders.
“We have celebrated over $1 million in giving in our community that has spurred economic development, education, important programming for youth and seniors, recognition of the value of rural living, the arts and being physically active at any age. Keeping our community healthy and prosperous, these are things worth celebrating.”
The CFSV handed the following community grants to the following organizations throughout the evening:
• Benito and Area Drop-in Centre – $2,000 for roof upgrades;
• ESRSS Daycare Inc. – $7,000 for a safeguarded area for the playground;
• Swan River Golf and Country Club – $2,000 for curb stops in the parking lot;
• Swan River Kinsmen Nursery School – $5,000 for flooring replacement;
• Swan River and District Community Resource Council – $3,200 for senior meal program delivery;
• Swan Valley Animal Protection League – $8,000 for Phase 3 of their Raise the Rescue campaign to complete a new shelter.
Three grants were also given out by the Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program, which is headed up by SVRSS vice-principal Kirsten Glen.
YIP gave out the following grants:
• Heyes Child Care Centre – $691 for outdoor summer program equipment;
• SVRSS Tigers Golf – $707 for golf drivers;
• Swan River Kinsmen Nursery School – $202 for an outdoor classroom storage cart.
“We have a really great group that works really hard every year,” said Glen. “They look at (contributing) a few different ways. They do an action within our school. They fundraise and donate that money to a couple of different things. We donate a portion so we can continue our Youth in Philanthropy work, and then we are also able to take part in the Youth in Philanthropy granting process so they can experience what it’s like to grant a larger portion than what they would have been able to fundraise themselves, through a foundation like the Community Foundation.”
With a fundraiser earlier this year which involved selling boxes of sugar cookie decorating kits, the students of YIP were able to donate $250 to the CFSV, which will grow with the rest of the fund, with interest donated to future community programs.
