The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) has awarded over $109,000 to 10 local charities and qualified recipients since May 19.
Established in 2003, the CFKR is a nonprofit overseen by a volunteer board of directors. Holding $3 million in 41 permanently invested funds, they have donated roughly $500,000 to local programs and projects since 2004.
The latest round of donations were funded by the Government of Canada as part of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), intending to support residents affected by the pandemic. The ECSF seeks to support nonprofits aiding vulnerable Canadians through a $350 million fund implemented with the Canadian Red Cross, Commuity Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraise Canada, and local Canadian community foundations.
The money from the CFKR’s ECSF allotment was distributed to a number of organizations throughout Cranbrook, the Elk Valley, and surrounding rural municipalities.
“Thanks to the Emergency Community Support Fund, CFKR has been able to support the amazing work of local charities and qualified donees, which are providing assistance to our most vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CFKR executive director Lynnette Wray.
The Elkford Women’s Task Force Society received $10,000 to cover wages and staffing requirements due to COVID-19 at the Elkford Play School. The City of Fernie also received over $7,800 to put towards a COVID-19 cleaning strategy for Trinity Lodge. In addition, SQx Danza was granted over $1,100 for Jaffray Elementary and Junior Secondary School’s dance program.
Furthermore, the Blue Lake Forest Education Society received over $6,500 to go towards COVID-19 specific relief for their Fernie day camp.
“Thanks to the support we received from the Fernie community foundation we are able to bring the magic of Blue Lake Camp to the kids in Fernie,” said Shonna Murphy, director of programs for the Columbia Outdoor School and Blue Lake Camp. “This funding helped us purchase products to be able to meet the standards to run a day camp safely during COVID- 19. This funding has helped us to maintain a low camper to counsellor ratio, making these smaller group sizes possible.”
For more information about the CFKR visit their website at CFKRockies.ca, or the Facebook pages of their Elkford, Sparwood, or Fernie Community Funds.
reporter@thefreepress.ca
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