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Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community foundation hits $2 million in grants distributed

SHERI LAMB
Miner and News
Thursday, November 3, 2016 9:45:27 EDT PM

View article from Kenora Daily Miner & News

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In the last decade, the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation has distributed $2 million in grants within the community. It is a milestone which executive director of the Community Foundation Darlene MacGillivray never dreamed would be reached when she signed on to guide the ship, though now she’s much more confident in the community’s passion for helping others.

“I didn’t think we’d reach that number, but many of our directors thought we were only beginning at that time and they had a great vision and a lot of leadership and here we are,” said MacGillivray. “It’s really only the beginning after 12 years. Will we hit $10 million in grants? Absolutely. $10 million in assets? Absolutely.”

The grant pushing the foundation past the $2-million mark was the final one handed out Wednesday, Nov. 2 during the fall granting ceremony at the Clarion Lakeside Inn. It was a $6,000 cheque from the community needs endowment fund for the skilled entertainers (also known as Circus Kids) to begin a program at Beaver Brae Secondary School for youth who aren’t interested in regular school activities to have something to get involved in and be proud of.

In total the community needs endowment fund handed out $39,000 on Wednesday night to a variety of programs from cheerleading at St. Thomas Aquinas High School to the Keewatin Curling Club to Kenora Handi Transit to Science North and SPACE for LGBTQ.

“They are the people who are giving their heart and soul to make our region a great place to live, work and play,” said MacGilvray. “They’re so committed to what they’re doing and it’s the complete needs of the community from arts to health to the environment to social and animal welfare, literacy, everything is represented. It’s very heartwarming.”

The youngest junior philanthropists honoured were Seth and Caleb Marquis, brothers who had an idea about helping the homeless population at the Kenora Fellowship Centre by collecting warm socks to get them through the winter. In total the brothers, 10 and eight, collected 2,300 pairs of socks.

“It was really just an idea that got really big in the end,” said elder sibling Seth.

For the brothers’ follow-up project they organized a bake sale last summer with proceeds going to the Sakaate Kenora Women’s Shelter. Seth said there’s a simple reason why he and his brother like to help others.

“Everyone’s equal so I think it’s mandatory to treat everyone equally and give them the respect that they deserve,” said Seth.

Caleb wanted to add a special thanks to all of their friends at school who helped them out with their projects. For their next project, the brothers are planning to release a video online through Facebook, asking for ideas from the community as to who they should through their support behind. Stay tuned.

Awarding of Grants

Kenora Safe Grad: $5,500
Jim and Leney Richardson Community Fund
Knights of Columbus Father Lacombe Council 2806 Fund
Community Needs Endowment Fund Donors

City of Kenora Public Library: $5,000
Hartley and Heather Richardson Community Fund
Community Needs Endowment Fund Donors

Opening Our Doors: $3,465
Jim and Leney Richardson Community Fund
Knights of Columbus Father Lacombe Council 2806 Fund

Kenora Fellowship Centre: $4,065
Jim and Leney Richardson Community Fund
Knights of Columbus Father Lacombe Council 2806 Fund

Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls: $12,950
Anonymous Donors

Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation: $24,434
Andrew Paterson, Loonie Bear Grants for Youth
Hartley and Heather Richardson Family Fund
Anonymous Donor for Health & Wellness
Community Needs Endowment Fund Donors

Minto Parent Child Resource Centre: $4,333
Andrew Paterson, Loonie Bear Grants for Youth
Bryce and Nicki Douglas Family Fund for Children in Need

Salvation Army Kids’ Winter Clothing Program: $3,333
Andrew Paterson, Loonie Bear Grants for Youth

Canadian Pacific and Kenora Employees Community Fund
Kenora Community Clubs: $3,200

Bryce and Nicki Douglas Family Fund for Children in Need
Pope John Paul II School: $1,500

Jim and Leney Richardson Community Fund
TryLight Theatre Company: $5,000
Women’s Shelter, Saakaate House: $3,500
Sassy & Classy Program: $2,000

Knights of Columbus Father Lacombe Council 2806 Fund
St. Louis School Visual Art Program: $2,250
Bursaries/Scholarships for St. Thomas Aquinas High School: $1,500

Hartley and Heather Richardson Community Fund
Lake of the Woods Museum: $2,000
Agape Table: $2,000

Community Needs Endowment Fund: $39,000
St. Thomas Aquinas High School Cheerleading Program: $3,500
Pinecrest Community Services: $2,600
Keewatin Curling Club: $2,000
Kenora Urban Trails Committee: $1,000
Kenora Handi Transit: $1,000
Kenora Refugee Support Partnership: $4,500
Kenora Special Olympics: $6,000
Mt. Evergreen Ski Club: $3,000
Onigaming Animal Control: $2,500
Science North: $1,200
Skilled Entertainers Program: $6,000
SPACE for LGBTQ: $1,200
Sunset Area Victim Crisis Assist & Referral Services: $2,500
Be in the Know Campaign: $2,000

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