The Morden Area Foundation used the occasion of its annual meeting last Wednesday to also be the bearer of good news.
The foundation presented nine grants that totalled $57,000 as well as a $25,000 matching grant in support of the École Discovery Trails school track and field project.
When combined with $14,700 in scholarships and another $11,000 in Power of the Purse donations, it means the foundation handed out $107,700 in total grants this past year.
One of the recipients was the Many Hands Resource Centre, which received $10,000 towards the purchase of a new van.
“Without a functioning vehicle, our ability to serve the community was severely compromised,” said executive director Mariyam Tsygankova, who added this goes a long way towards “ensuring that we can continue our essential services without disruption.
“The foundation support not only provided to replace our broken down van but also demonstrate a commitment to the well being of the community.”
Other grant recipients last week included:
- 1-6 Community Club – $10,000 to help convert the facility from fossil fuels to electric heating.
- École Morden Middle School – $10,000 towards new playground structures.
- Morden Activity Centre – $8,174.59 for a floor washing machine.
- Minnewasta Golf and Country Club – $7,500 towards a golf simulator to help make the facility a year-round draw.
- Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba – $4,000 in support of the Chance 2 Camp program.
- Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation – $3,822 for a new crash cart for the hospital.
- Pembina Valley Humane Society – $2,000 for a snowblower for clearing the outdoor kennels at the animal shelter in Morden.
- South Central Regional Library – $1,500 for a new circulation desk at the Morden branch.
The foundation also announced the introduction of two more dedicated endowment funds.
One is called the Learn and Return Health Care Bursary Fund, which will provide a means of support for training health care workers with a commitment to work in the community for a minimum of one year.
It is being established as a fund of $100,000 that will provide a bursary of $5,000 annually. Recipients will be chosen by a committee including representatives from Boundary Trails Health Centre and Menzies Medical Centre.
Also introduced was a Royal Canadian Legion Morden Branch 11 Fund thanks to the support of Colleen Lyne in memory of her husband William, who was a member of the Legion.
“It’s an honour for us,” said Legion rep Tammy Petkau, who also presented a donation from the Legion to the Learn and Return Health Care Bursary Fund.
