Foundation celebrates by handing out grants

Representatives of local community groups posed for a photo after the Community Foundation's Community Celebration on Thursday evening. The foundation handed out cheques worth $21,320. From left to right in front are: Tracy Spannier of the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, which received $1,500; Andree Rioux of the Hospice Society, which received $2,500; Gary Pendergast, Arts Council, $1,500; and Patti Larson, Community Connections, $6,820 for three different programs. In back are (from left to right) Maura Dower of the Red Cross Society who picked up a cheque for $2,500; Jennifer Dunkerson of the Railway Museum, $2,000; BR Whalen of the Multi-Cultural Society, $2,500; Jan Morehouse of the Revelstoke Museum & Archives, $1,300;Meghann Hutton of the Revelstoke & District Humane Society, $2,200, Jackie Pendergast of the Visual Arts Society, $1,000; and Wendy Harper of the Women's Shelter, $1,500. David F. Rooney photo

By David F. Rooney

The Revelstoke Community Foundation marked its 12th year by handing out $21,320 in grants to local organizations during a community celebration at the Hillcrest Hotel on Thursday evening.

Established in 1999 as Revelstoke’s official centennial project, the foundation has grown rapidly. It now has almost $1.4 million in endowments and hopes to top the $1.5 million mark this year. It is a major supporter of local community groups, students seeking scholarships and school-based student projects aimed at bettering community life.

This year it handed out $21,320 to 13 groups:

  • The Canadian Red Cross, represented by Maura Dower, received $2,500 from the Community Fund and the Revelstoke Mountain Resort Fund for its Health Equipment Loan Program;
  • The Community Connections Food Bank, represented by Patti Larson, received $2,500 from the Community Fund;
  • The Community Connections Children’s Summer Day Camp Program, represented by Patti Larson, received $2,500 from the Community Fund, the Revelstoke Credit Union Youth Fund, the Cougar Baseball Fund and the Rob Lenzi Memorial Fund;
  • The Community Connections, represented by Patti Larson, received $1,820 from the Community Fund and the People’s Drug Mart Health & Welfare Fund for its Farmer’s Market Coupon Project;
  • The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, represented by Tracy Spannier, received $1,500 from the Community Fund for its Family Literacy Program;
  • The Revelstoke Arts Council, represented by Gary Pendergast, received $1,500 from the Community Fund for its annual Concert Series;
  • The Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society, represented by Railway Museum Executive Director Jennifer Dunkerson, received $2,000 from the Community Fund and the Big Bend Heritage Fund for its Kids Caboose Activity Centre;
  • The Revelstoke Hospice Society, represented by Executive Director Andree Rioux, received $2,500 from the Community Fund to help augment wages and purchase new computer equipment;
  • The Revelstoke & District Humane Society, represented by Meghann Hutton, received $2,200 from the Community Fund to improve the Animal Shelter;
  • The Revelstoke Multicultural Society, represented by BR Whalen, received $2,500 from the Community Fund for its Carousel of Nations event;
  • The Revelstoke Museum & Archives, represented by Museum Society Chairwoman Jan Morehouse, received $1,300 from the Revelstoke Credit Union Youth Fund to purchase supplies and equipment for the Heritage Explorers Children’s Program;
  • The Revelstoke Visual Arts Society, represented by Executive Director Jackie Pendergast, received $1,000 from the Community Fund to help clients in the Revelstoke Advocates program produce artwork for their Through My Eyes Art Project; and
  • The Revelstoke Women’s Shelter, represented by Wendy Harper, received $1,500 from the Community Fund for the Community response Network.

Participants at the celebration also heard from Leanne Hammond Komori, executive director of the Central Okanagan Foundation.

She lauded the Revelstoke Community Foundation for its hard work over the years and for rapidly building a healthy endowment fund.

Komori noted that the local foundation enjoys broad community support and said that is the key to real growth.

“We’ve all learned a lot about reliance on government in the last few years,” she said, referring to the massive cuts that set community groups reeling two years ago.

“Donations from individuals and families are extremely powerful. It’s not corporations., it’s not government — it’s individuals who really make a difference.”

Please click here to find out more about the foundation.

Please click here should you wish to make a donation to the foundation.

Here are two additional photos from the evening:

Foundation Chairman Steven Hui introduces Emma Otsig, the Mount Begbie Elementary student whose design of a logo was selected from among 70 submissions during a recent contest sponsored by the foundation. Emma's design will be used to promote the foundation's new environmental fund. David F. Rooney photo
Leanne Hammond Komori, executive director of the Central Okanagan Foundation, talked about ways foundations can increase their revenues. She was the guest speaker at the Community Foundation's annual Community Celebration, held this year at the Hillcrest Hotel. David F. Rooney photo