Representatives from more than a dozen community non-profit groups and organizations posed for this photo with members of Town of Osoyoos council and senior administration outside town hall Monday after council handed out cheques totalling $58,000 through its community service grants program. (Keith Lacey photo)
As has become custom over the past several years, representatives from more than a dozen local non-profit organizations and community groups turned up at Town of Osoyoos council chambers to pick up cheques as part of the town’s Community Grant and Aid program.
As part of the annual budget process, members of town council and senior administration accept applications for funding through this program.
With the number of community groups and organizations seeking funding increasing with each passing year, council decided to increase the level of funding in 2017 by $10,000 and handed out cheques totalling $58,000 on Monday to representatives from the various groups.
“Welcome to all our guests who are here today,” said Mayor Sue McKortoff, addressing the representatives who had gathered in council chambers. “I know why you are all here; you all want money. That’s the reason.”
Handing out the cheques were Gerald Davis, the town’s director of community services, along with councillors Mike Campol and Jim King.
Davis gave a brief description of what the community service grants program is all about.
“This is an annual funding grant program, where the town (assists) the many festivals, groups, citizens and athletes that take part in our community events and help make our community what it is,” said Davis.
The largest cheque handed out went, once again, to the Osoyoos Festival Society, which received $9,400 to ensure the community’s Canada Day Cherry Fiesta on July 1 is a huge success, especially considering Osoyoos, like the rest of Canada, will be celebrating our country’s 150th birthday.
Here’s a list of the other community organizations that received funding for 2017:
• Osoyoos Ambassador Committee (Osoyoos Royalty Committee) — $6,000
• Osoyoos Child Care Centre — $4,000
• Osoyoos Lawn Bowling — $5,000
• Osoyoos Elks Senior Citizens Society(Golden Villa) — $2,000
• Osoyoos Secondary Bursaries— $3,000
• Osoyoos Elks Lodge #436 — $2,000
• International Curling Club Society – $4,300
• Royal Canadian Legion — $1,500
• Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society — $2,000
• Desert Valley Hospice Society — $1,000
• Osoyoos Traditional Archery School — $1,500
• Osoyoos Gift Cupboard — $1,200
• Osoyoos Pickleball Club — $2,500
• Desert Sun Counselling & Resource Centre — $5,000
• Osoyoos Sailing Club — $1,000.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
