The Comox Valley Community Foundation awarded nearly $50,000 to 11 organizations at its annual Community Giving Awards ceremony Wednesday at the Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Centre.
“There were a number of well-qualified applicants and choosing this year’s recipients was a difficult task,” foundation president Andrea Rowe said. “We feel strongly that by supporting these organizations this year, we will have a significant impact on this great community that all of us serve.”
The objectives of each group falls within the areas of arts and culture, environment and parks, health and welfare, seniors, and education and youth.
Scouts Canada received $8,000, which will help replace the septic system at Camp Gilwell in order to renew the lease on the property.
Another recipient is the Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Program, which received $4,000 for the Literacy for Change program.
"What we try to do is support the groups doing work in the community, whether it's Lifelong Learning or Boy Scouts," said foundation director Fred Bates, board representative for Scouts Canada and Lifelong Learning. "They're the ones doing the work. We like to be the vehicle to support their work."
Bates also credits the donors "that are doing the big thing."
Other recipients were:
• Boys and Girls Club Aspen Park, $2,600;
• L’Arche Comox Valley, $9,000;
• Lush Valley Food Action Society, $1,600;
• Courtenay & District Museum Society & Paleontology Centre, $5,600;
• Fanny Bay Community Association, $653.38;
• Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park Society, $5,000;
• Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry, $1,200;
• Denman Island Seniors and Museum Society, $4,000;
• Comox Valley Exhibition & Fall Fair, $7,100.
This year, the foundation will award nearly $100,000 in grants, bursaries and scholarships. More than $27,000 was disbursed in December to charitable groups that maintain endowed funds with the foundation.
Other funds, such as scholarships and bursaries totalling more than $16,500, will be awarded during the school year.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com