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Youth in Philanthropy Make Grants to Local Charities

Youth In Philanthropy Students Address the Needs of our Community

Kenora – Young people who care about their communities are increasingly getting involved in philanthropy.  This was most evident at the Youth in Philanthropy Program (YIP) granting celebration held on Wednesday May 19 2010 at the Lakeside Best Western Inn. This innovative program, led by the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation in Kenora, seeks to engage youth in their community and create an awareness of local needs.  Students from Beaver Brae and Saint Thomas Aquinas, Kenora’s ‘young philanthropists’, presented a total of $5,600 to eight deserving registered charities at the fourth annual YIP granting celebration.

“I am so grateful to the Community Foundation and the students of the Beaver Brae Youth in Philanthropy Program for choosing The Cat Shelter to receive the $700 donation.  This will go a long way to help our day to day operations” says Celynn Alcock of the Cat Shelter.  “These students actually visited our museum and were very prepared with their questions for us”, said Ron and Anne Baker of the Lake of the Woods Railroaders Museum.

This exciting program is made possible through the hard work of the students involved and the financial support of Copperfin Credit Union and the Kenora Rotary Club  The students and grant recipients were joined by Credit Union CEO Dennis Alvestad ; Cindy Behrsin First Vice President of the Kenora Rotary Club and Board Members of the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

“These students have great ideas and want to make a difference in their community today but also into the future,” said Don Parfitt, Community Foundation President.  “In 2007, the students from both schools created endowments funds with a portion of their grant monies.  Again this year they have added to the funds. In time, these funds will provide increased grant dollars to be distributed by future students.”  Parfitt also noted that any one wishing to donate to these funds can do so through the Community Foundation.

Initially, the ‘young philanthropists’ identified ten organizations as possible grant recipients.  The list was then narrowed down after site visits were completed by the students.  There were difficult decisions to be made, but after much research and hard work the students are proud to announce the following grants:

Beaver Brae Grant Recipients:

  • Women’s Shelter, Saakate House
  • Triple P.L.A.Y. Sponsor: LOW Child Development Centre
  • The Kenora Fellowship Centre
  • The Cat Shelter, Sponsor: It’s a Dog’s Life

 Saint Thomas Aquinas Grant Recipients:

  • Kenora Sexual Assault Centre
  • Breakfast for Learning Program at Pope John Paul II School, Sponsor: Kenora Catholic District Scool Board
  • The Lake of the Woods Railroaders Museum
  • Iggy’s Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre
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