Several non-profit organizations across Grey and Bruce are receiving support funding.
The Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation, the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Safe ‘N Sound initiative were all among the organizations who received funding.
In a release, the foundation notes they recently received a sponsorship worth $25,000 from Walker Industries to support the Keeping Care Close to Home Monthly Giving program. In an effort to encourage residents to become monthly donors of the foundation, Walker Industries has made the pledge to match all the gifts to a maximum of $25,000.
President of Walker Industries Geordie Walker says they are proud to support the ongoing needs of the foundation in enabling the hospitals to continue to provide the high quality care for which they are known.
“We believe in supporting the communities in which we live and operate and are delighted that our contribution will provide vital equipment and advanced patient care,” says Walker.
In developing the monthly giving program, the Lion’s Head and Wiarton hospitals, which have seen an impact in funding from the foundation due to the ongoing pandemic, will aim to provide a reliable, long-term income solution to support the needs of each facility.
Foundation Board Chair Kevin Walsh notes it is always a great challenge to fundraise for the hospitals’ needs.
“As a monthly donor myself, I think Walker’s generous offer to partner up with the new monthly donors is fabulous! Become a monthly donor and Walker with match it, wow! All donations make a difference regardless of amount,” adds Walsh.
The foundation is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to double their impact for the local hospitals before the funds run out. Payment can be set up via credit care, direct withdrawal, and post-dated cheque for as little as $10 per month, and can either be allocated to the Lion’s Head or the Wiarton hospitals, or even the regional needs of Grey Bruce Health Services.
More info can be found on the foundation’s website.
A $10,000 donation was also made to the Canadian Mental Health Association by The Knights of Columbus.
The funds raised through the CFOS Radio Bingo night, Jim Cummings from the Knights of Columbus says they wanted to donate to the CMHA as they feel it is a worthy cause, and they have partnered up with them before on various other projects.
Head of the CMHA Youth Team Jackie Ralph says the funding they received will go towards the support of the youth awareness programs, reaching thousands of children each year.
“This year we did all of our presentations virtually, so we were coming right into the classrooms online and we had some really great conversations,” says Ralph.
In an effort to support The Safe ‘N Sound homeless initiative, a gift of over $11,000 was received from The 100 Women Who Care Grey/Bruce organization, a group which supports various community initiatives.
A release says the funds were used to purchase the supplies needed for 70 Street Survival Kits to give out to the most vulnerable individuals.
Including items like a tent, sleeping bag, bug spray, sunscreen, first aid kits, flashlights, personal alarms and other materials, with the intention to make day to day living safer and comfortable for people experiencing homelessness.
Chair of The 100 Women Who Care Lynda Legge says their group found the Safe ‘N Sound Initiative to be a worthwhile endeavor and the members voted to provide assistance.
“We learned a lot about the troubles folks are having and homeless young people in our community with the opioid crisis and human trafficking and the difficult situations people find themselves in and I think when our women realize they could be providing tents and backpacks that could help people carry first aid and naloxone, sunscreen and all of those things, we just thought this is going to keep some of our youth who are homeless and experiencing homelessness safer,” says Legge.
This funding is in addition to a recent cheque presented to the Reach Centre of Owen Sound for $10,700 for their continued efforts.
