Duane Hicks
A dozen local groups and organizations are better off thanks to the Moffat Family Fund.
Mayor Roy Avis handed out a total of $55,000 in cheques to this year’s successful applicants during Monday night’s council meeting.
Kiwanis Sunny Cove Camp received $12,000 for a landing dock, which the Sunny Cove committee identified as “one of the most needed items for the children to enjoy.”
“We are past recipients and are very grateful to you for this money. It helps out with the camp,” Robin Dennis of the Sunny Cove Camp Advisory Committee told Mayor Avis.
The local Salvation Army got $7,000 to send 25 or more children and teens to Bible camp in August while the “Fun in the Sun” committee received $8,900 to put towards this year’s Canada Day activities at Point Park, including the fireworks.
The 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron got $5,200 to enhance and promote its marksmanship, biathlon, and drill programs, as well as support effective speaking programs and outdoor survival exercises.
The funding also will help provide a place to conduct these programs.
Friends of Kids Sports received $3,900 to continue supporting local youth sports, subsidizing travel expenses for out-of-town events, and financially helping families so children can participate in sports.
St. Mary’s Church got $3,900 to provide its Discovery Camp for youth aged 11-17.
Community Living Fort Frances and District, meanwhile, was given $3,700 to run its 10-week open air art studio this summer–a free weekly event where people of all ages can create “eco-art” outdoors at various locations around the community.
The United Native Friendship Centre got $2,400 for its annual Youth and Elders Summit, a unique cultural event that brings together indigenous elders and youth (indigenous and non-indigenous) to transfer knowledge between both generations.
Kenora Rainy River Child and Family Services received $2,200 for a project to offer children with exceptional needs opportunities for unique social and relational activities that will increase their self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.
The Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau received $2,000 to help with operating costs, including running its current programs, and office and administrative expenses.
Confederation College got $1,900 to help run summer youth camps for youth aged 11-15.
The Fort Frances Community Garden and Kids Club also was given $1,900 to keep going that volunteer-driven effort, which promotes sharing and learning about access to healthy food.
Mayor Avis noted the town got quite a few applications for the Moffat Family Fund this year, and it’s unfortunate not all of them could get money.
“It’s really hard when you sit at that table and say, ‘Who should get what?’ And whether they should getting or not,” he noted.
“But we do have input not only from council but also from people in the community,” the mayor added.
“It’s done by a board–very clean.”
Mayor Avis also said the town is giving out “Canada 150” pins this year to local volunteers of all ages.
Anyone who knows of a deserving recipient is urged to visit to the town’s website (www.fortfrances.ca) and fill out an application.
The Town of Fort Frances has distributed Moffat Fund dollars since 2003.
In 2002, the Moffat family entrusted $100 million to the Winnipeg Foundation, which, in turn, is responsible for investing the money and distributing it to communities in need.
After learning of this, Fort Frances applied for–and was chosen to be–one of these recipient communities.
In 2003, the town was allocated $33,000 to divvy up.
Year after year, the town–along with other communities once served by the Moffat family’s cable television business–is eligible to receive some of the interest from that $100-million investment.
Fort Frances is among 12 communities being allocated funds to distribute to worthwhile causes this year.
