The Right Honourable David Johnston – Governor General of Canada, addresses the crowd gathered at Culmina Family Estate Winery for the Community Foundation’s ‘Smart and Healthy Communities’ reception on September 29, as executive director Aaron McRann looks on.
Erin Christie photo
It isn’t every day that the Governor General of Canada comes to Oliver.
The Right Honourable David Johnston made an appearance at the Community Foundation of South Okanagan Similkameen’s “Smart and Caring Communities” reception held at Culmina Family Estate Winery on September 29.
The event was attended by 75 Community Foundation patrons, local officials and business owners eager to hear the foundation’s most high profile patron share his vision of building a smart and caring nation leading up to 2017.
To carry out his vision, Johnston has sought the help of community foundations across Canada.
In response, community foundations have launched the “Smart and Caring Communities” fund, a national initiative of Community Foundations of Canada. The goal of this initiative is to ensure that every community in Canada is effectively served by a community foundation by Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017. The fund provides annual grants to organizations that benefit the community.
To seed the fund, the foundation received a donation of $100,000 (from an anonymous patron), to be paid out over three years. With that support, the foundation hired regional director Sarah Trudeau.
Trudeau’s priority is to work with communities throughout the South Okanagan and Similkameen to develop mechanisms for communities to raise and distribute their own funds.
TheGovernor General of Canada with Oliver mayor Ron Hovanes.
Erin Christie photo
The Right Honourable David Johnston (left), Governor General of Canada, received a warm welcome from the Triggs family during the SOS Community Foundation’s reception held September 29 at Culmina Family Estate Winery. From left are Sara Triggs, Don Triggs and Elaine Triggs of Culmina Family Estate Winery.
Erin Christie photo
“It takes champions to bring something like this forward,” noted Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells.“This fund is such a strong tool for the community.”Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes echoed Wells. “It is a reality that government can only do so much,” said Hovanes. “These foundations greatly improve the quality of life for many, and it was very nice to have his Excellency in our community to offer support to the foundation.”
Erin Christie
Oliver Chronicle
