The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta has announced the recipients of a combined $307,970 in funding. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Over $300,000 given to 33 community projects in Southern Alberta

Dec 8, 2022 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Dozens of organizations in the region are receiving funding for a wide variety of initiatives.

The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta has announced its latest batch of grant recipients under the Community Priorities Fund and the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, which will give out a combined $307,970.

The former will award a total of $220,970 to 27 projects while the latter will see $87,000 go to six projects.

The Community Foundation says the grant focus on initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in southwestern Alberta, notably by improving accessibility, renovations and repairs, enhancing spaces for safe gathering, providing tools for learning opportunities, and increasing capacity for the delivery of social services.

Executive Director Charleen Davidson says she is happy to see these deserving groups receive funding.

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“This year has been, and continues to be, challenging for the charitable sector. We are proud to remain a source of financial support during this time of need, and we thank our donors for their continued support of the community through our work,’ says Davidson.

As outlined in a media release from the Community Foundation, the Fall 2022 recipients of the Community Priorities Grant are as follows:

• Youth One, Lethbridge, $6,000 ($1,500 from LADA): Funding will be used to upgrade technology to provide youth access to the tools necessary to succeed at school, work, and in life.
• Claresholm & District Transportation Society, $10,000: Funding will be used to help the Society purchase a replacement passenger van to provide medical transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities.
• Claresholm Animal Rescue Society, $10,150: Funding will be used to improve the interior of the shelter and to allow for a cleaner, healthier kennels.
• Taber and District Community Adult Learning Association, $7,500: Funding will be used to support the Association with the purchase of laptops and a printer that will all for the expansion of services to communities like Warner, Enchant, and Vauxhall.
• Friends of Helen Schuler Nature Centre, $5,000: Funding will be used for the installation of outdoor kiosks that will provide families and youth with additional nature-based play and education opportunities.
• Friends of the Milo Municipal Library Society, $4,700: Funding will be used to upgrade aging computer equipment.
• Green Acres Foundation $10,000 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase an Electro Plus Bike, which will allow staff and volunteers to safely take residents for bike rides.
• Holy Spirit School Division, St. Paul School, $8,500 ($1,000 from the LADA): Funding will be used to purchase percussion instruments for the music room so that all students have the opportunity to play a variety of instruments.
• Holy Spirit School Division, Father Leonard Van Tighem School, $5,000 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase guitars, microphones, and speakers, which will enhance the selection of musical opportunities at the school and reach more students.
• Horizon School Division, Vauxhall Academy of Baseball, $9,000: Funding will be used to replace pitching equipment that is used by both the school and other community groups.
• Lethbridge and District Humane Society, $8,400 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to replace the insulation in the roof and attic to help reduce heating and cooling costs.
• McNally Community Association, $5,000: Funding will be used to update lights throughout the building to energyefficient LEDs. Granum Park Society, $10,000: Funding will be used for the development of a new, multi-age-appropriate playground at Granview Recreational Park.
• Granum and District Historical Society $12,250 ($1,500 from LADA): Funding will be used to add names to the “Wall of Honour” cenotaph for local veterans who served their country.
• Palliser School Division, Carmangay School, $2,000 ($500 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase kitchen equipment for students to engage in hands-on culinary learning.
• Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue Society, $14,500: Funding will be used to purchase equipment, including helmets and radios, for a new Helicopter and Heli-Sling training program.
• Stitch it Forward, Lethbridge, $3,860: Funding will be used for the purchase of equipment such as fabric cutting machines, sewing cases, and a portable display.
• The Canadian Red Cross Society, $15,000 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase items for the equipment loan program, which will reduce the wait times for mobility, bathing, and toileting equipment.
• Town of Milk River, Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community Support Services $13,750: Funding will be used to purchase an enclosed trailer that will be used by members of the community in both Warner and Milk River to host community block parties and pop-up events in the area.
• Walk on the Wild Side Society, Lethbridge County, $5,000: Funding will be used to enhance the lakeside trail through the purchase of two new viewing scopes.
• Town of Pincher Creek, Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, $10,000: Funding will be used to build a renewable energy installation on the Lebel Mansion heritage building to reduce energy costs.
• Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club, $3,300 ($1,000 from LADA): Funding will be used to purchase new authentic Ukrainian costumes for youth and adult dancers. The new costumes will ensure that new dancers to the Club are able to participate in community performances.
• Vauxhall and Area Food Bank, $7,000: Funding will be used to purchase a fridge, freezer, and stainless steel table with freestanding wash stand.
• Village of Lomond, Lomond 4-H Club, $7,500: Funding will be used to replace an old display board with a digital billboard that will highlight all community events.
• Village of Stirling, Stirling Municipal Library, $4,040: Funding will be used to purchase computers and software to provide more options to residents who may not otherwise have internet access.
• Wood’s Homes, $10,000 ($2,000 from the LADA): Funding will be used to renovate the family room. This room is used daily for supported visitations for youth under 18 years within Wood’s Homes Family Connections Program.
• Wrentham Library Society, $12,020: Funding will be used to renovate and upgrade the washroom to make it accessible.

The Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life Grant will award funding in the following amounts in Fall 2022:

• 4-H Alberta Foundation, $5,000: Funding will be used towards the “New to 4-H Alberta” project, which will offer diversity education opportunities for 4-H leaders throughout southwestern Alberta, as well as provide opportunities for newcomers to engage with 4-H programming.
• Crowsnest Pass Ecomuseum Trust Society, $25,000: Funding will be used to help build a business case and conceptual design aimed at a reimagining of the Bellevue Underground Mine site for the future development of a new interpretive building.
• Livingstone Range School Division, CNP 40 Youth Society, $7,000: Funding will be used for a wellness project at Crowsnest Consolidated High School that will offer support, information, and skills to help students manage stress and mental health issues.
• Vulcan Municipal Library, $3,000: Funding will be used to help host multicultural events in support of the community’s diverse ethnic groups in hopes of building strong and inclusive relationships.
• Village of Warner, Warner Fireman’s Society, $27,000: Funding will be used to update gear and provide a training program for volunteer firefighters.
• Wild Rose Community Connections, $20,000: Funding will be used to help Wild Rose Community Connections to expand their rural community food program to include a Caring Connection staff member.

Throughout 2022, the Community Foundation says it plans to award over $1.2 million in grants to groups in southwestern Alberta.

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