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GBCF support for Jones Bridge

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Grand Bend Community Foundation celebrated Giving Tuesday by giving thousands of dollars in community grants - including grant to Pedestrian Bridge on South Huron Trail

On Giving Tuesday, November 27, the Grand Bend Community Foundation announced its 2018 grants – more than $60,000 in funding to community groups and initiatives across our region. 

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the Pedestrian Bridge on the South Huron Trail Project was one of the recipients of this generous support.

To prepare for Giving Tuesday, Grand Bend Community Foundation (GBCF) board members fanned out across the region to meet with grantees and hand out cheques. 

“The grants reflect the breadth of philanthropic activity in this area,” said GBCF Chair Penny Nelligan. “From children and youth to seniors, from the environment to the arts, the Foundation supported activities that enrich and enliven our communities. As you can see, there were lots of big smiles as we delivered the cheques.” 

(For more photos of cheque presentations, you are invited to check out the Grand Bend Community Foundation Facebook page during the week of November 26, 2018.)

The Grand Bend Community Foundation was established in 2001 with proceeds from the sale of Grand Bend’s Public Utilities Commission. Beginning with an investment of $1.5 million, the Foundation has granted approximately $1.5 million to local charities, and currently holds $2.4 million in permanent investments. 

“The generosity and vision of our donors have enabled us to make a real impact on our communities,” said Treasurer Tim Sweet. 

Secretary Shirley Andraza added that, “We’re all very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

This year (2018), the granting included funds from the growing South Huron Community Fund, created with contributions from generous philanthropists in South Huron and held within the Grand Bend Community Foundation.

The 2018 grant recipients are:

  • Canadian Cancer Society, to support the Wheels of Hope program, which uses volunteer drivers to take Grand Bend area cancer patients to medical appointments and treatments.
  • Diabetes Canada, to enable one child from this area to attend an educational summer camp.
  • The Global Literacy project, to recycle surplus school furniture and supplies by sending them to developing countries.
  • The Grand Bend Legion, to support the installation of an elevator at this important community facility.
  • To Jessica’s House, to help defray the cost of transferring patients from hospital to the hospice.
  • To Wednesday’s Familiar Favorites Concert Series, to improve the quality of sound during the popular beachfront concerts.
  • To Sauble Court, to replace the gas fireplace in the lounge, the only source of heat during a power outage.
  • To Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron to support group programming and in-school mentoring.
  • To OneCare to support the purchase of new footcare equipment for use at the Grand Bend clinic, and to offer blood pressure clinics in Exeter.
  • To Easter Seals, to enable one child from this area to attend a summer camp for children with disabilities.
  • To the Grand Bend Art Centre, to support the music program at Grand Bend Public School.
  • To the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, to support the Jones Bridge project, making the community safer and more active with a new Pedestrian Bridge (downstream of Morrison Dam) on the MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail.
  • To Bosanquet Public School, to support science and technology workshops.

The Foundation hopes that Giving Tuesday will inspire people in our region to contribute to the Grand Bend Community Foundation as part of their annual charitable donations.  

“It’s wonderful to be part of something that touches lives right here at home,” said Past Chair Judy McDonald.

To donate to the Jones Bridge Project -  Building a bridge to a safer, more active community - by joining both sections of the South Huron Trail and providing a safer, more scenic alternative to walking beside vehicle traffic when using the trails - click on this link below:

Or - phone us at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 - or talk to one of your Community Working Group Members.

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