Community organizations awarded over $300,000 in grant funding
By Cal Braid - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on December 13, 2022.
The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta recently announced the recipients of grants awarded from the Community Priorities Fund and the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life. The grants will support thirty-three projects from organizations throughout southwestern Alberta with $307,790 in funding.The Community Priorities Granting Program (CPGP), an extension of the Community Foundation, is awarding $220,970 to twenty-seven projects. The CPGP was made possible through donor support, and individual fundholders also contributed to the grants. According to a news release, the Lethbridge Auto Dealers Association (LADA) provided an additional $11,000 to ten projects. The LADA has allocated over $175,000 since 2014. The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life awarded $87,000 to six projects. Established by a Pincher Creek-area rancher Bill Long, and named in memory of his uncle, the granting program funds projects and initiatives that enhance quality of life for residents of rural southwestern Alberta.
“We are so happy to award these grants to groups throughout southwestern Alberta,” executive director Charleen Davidson said in the news release. “This year has been, and continues to be, challenging for the charitable sector. We are proud to remain a source of financial support during this time of need, and we thank our donors for their continued support of the community through our work.”
The CPGP provided a list of local grant recipients and a brief description of each project. They include:
Youth One, Lethbridge, $6,000 ($1,500 from LADA): Funding will be used to upgrade technology to provide youth access to the tools necessary to succeed at school, work, and in life.
Friends of Helen Schuler Nature Centre, $5,000: Funding will be used for the installation of outdoor kiosks that will provide families and youth with additional nature-based play and education opportunities.
Green Acres Foundation $10,000 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase an electro plus bike, which will allow staff and volunteers to safely take residents for bike rides.
Holy Spirit School Division, St. Paul School, $8,500 ($1,000 from the LADA): Funding will be used to purchase percussion instruments for the music room so that all students have the opportunity to play a variety of instruments.
Holy Spirit School Division, Father Leonard Van Tighem School, $5,000 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase guitars, microphones, and speakers, which will enhance the selection of musical opportunities at the school and reach more students.
Lethbridge and District Humane Society, $8,400 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to replace the insulation in the roof and attic to help reduce heating and cooling costs.
Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue Society, $14,500: Funding will be used to purchase equipment, including helmets and radios, for a new helicopter and heli-sling training program.
Stitch it Forward, Lethbridge, $3,860: Funding will be used for the purchase of equipment such as fabric cutting machines, sewing cases, and a portable display.
The Canadian Red Cross Society, $15,000 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase items for the equipment loan program, which will reduce the wait times for mobility, bathing, and toileting equipment.
Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club, $3,300 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase new authentic Ukrainian costumes for youth and adult dancers. The new costumes will ensure that new dancers to the club are able to participate in community performances.
Wood’s Homes, $10,000 ($2,000 from the LADA): Funding will be used to renovate the family room. This room is used daily for supported visitations for youth under 18 years within Wood’s Homes Family Connections Program.
4-H Alberta Foundation, $5,000: Funding will be used towards the “New to 4-H Alberta” project, which will offer diversity education opportunities for 4-H leaders throughout southwestern Alberta, as well as provide opportunities for newcomers to engage with 4-H programming.
Wild Rose Community Connections, $20,000: Funding will be used to help Wild Rose Community Connections to expand their rural community food program to include a Caring Connection staff member.
Learn more at http://www.cflsa.com 2
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