Community Foundation Summer 2021 Newsletter

Community Foundation Summer 2021 Newsletter
August 27, 2021 Roxy Rae

“This morning, the sun endures past dawn.
I realize that it is August: the summer’s last stand.”

~Sara Baume

We are so proud to be your local community foundation, investing in communities throughout the region from Stratford to St. Marys and across Perth County. Each year we provide grants from named and regional funds to support local charities and community-based organizations vital to this region.

We invite you to take a moment to read our latest news.

  • Donor Story: North Perth Sports for Kids Fund
  • Investing in our Community: St. Marys Yak Shack
  • Gift Planning: Create your giving strategy
  • New Fund
  • Mayors Gala Update

Wishing you and your families health and happiness.

Heidi and Roxy

Photo: Sarnia Bridge, Grand Trunk Trail, St. Marys

DONOR STORY

Levelling the playing field

Last month, Zehrs Listowel invited customers to donate in-store raising $1,500 to give North Perth kids the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational activities. Thank you to every customer who donated at check out, and to the Zehrs Listowel team for championing this fundraiser to support play for local kids.

The North Perth Sports for Kids Fund (NPSFKF) was established in 2009 by a group of caring community members with a simple mandate – provide support to North Perth families that need financial assistance to get their kids into a sport or physical activity. This fund has already provided tens of thousands of dollars to help local kids keep active.

The North Perth Sports for Kids Fund is administered by the Listowel Salvation Army Family Services. Families seeking assistance can access the application form on the Municipality of North Perth’s website.

INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY

Discover St. Marys from a new perspective

Whether you’re a resident of St. Marys or just visiting, individuals can now borrow one of five kayaks (for free!) and explore the scenic Thames River in the heart of St. Marys.

This project, created by the Town of St. Marys, rallied community-minded businesses and organizations to offer more diverse, and free, recreational opportunities to improve the mental and physical health of individuals during a time when outdoor activities are the safest.

“The Yak Shack is an incredible addition to our town’s recreational offerings – especially as activities continue to be restricted due to COVID-19. Visitors and residents alike have enjoyed experiencing our community in a novel way, with all kayaks consistently on the water. Thanks to the generosity of community partners, we’ve been able to add a fifth kayak to the program to help meet demand. We are grateful to the Stratford Perth Community Foundation for its support in bringing this long-desired project to fruition.”
~Andrea Macko, Events Coordinator, Town of St. Marys

Read more about the kayak rental program through the St. Marys LibraryThe Yak Shack project was supported by a grant from the Annie and Isabelle Chesterfield Fund.

Photo L-R: Rebecca Webb, St. Marys Library Services Coordinator; Sarah Andrews, St. Marys Library CAO; Daniel Lubimcev, Canadian Tire St. Marys owner

GIFT PLANNING

Create your legacy, your way.

Many of us have charities or causes close to our heart and we love to support them. But with busy lives, we might only make donations when asked or when we think about it.

But what if there was a better way to give? A more strategic and impactful way to give? Perhaps it may be the right time to take a holistic view of your finances and write down the impact you wish to have in your community – today and in the future. Then talk with your advisors. It may be easier than you think to have lasting impact in your community.

Options for giving now:

  • Cash/Credit cards
  • Gifts of Securities 
  • Gifts from registered funds (RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs)
  • Gifts of real estate

Options for giving later:

  • Gifts in wills/bequests
  • Gifts through life insurance

Whether you want to create your legacy now or later, we make giving easy as your partner in philanthropy for Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County.

To explore creating or expanding your community legacy, please contact Roxy Rae, Marketing and Outreach Manager at roxy@spccf.ca.

AnchorWelcome to our Newest Named Fund

  • John and Marg Van Nes Family Fund

We are grateful to be your partner in philanthropy. To see a full list of our Family of Funds, or to donate to a specific fund, please visit our website.

Mayors Gala 2022

The pandemic and public health restrictions required us to postpone our 12th Annual Mayors Gala from January 2021 to November 2021, and then again to 2022.

We look forward to bringing you an extraordinary Mayors Gala Fall 2022.

Thank You to our Business Supporters

The following business supporters make annual contributions to support our Foundation’s ongoing operations. We are deeply grateful for this vital support.

BMO Financial Group  |  DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc.  |  Dr. Doug MacDougald Veterinary Professional Corporation  |  Ideal Supply Inc.  |  Rambri Management Inc.

Aird & Berlis LLP  |  CULLITON Inc.  |  Gateman-Milloy Inc. |  Molesworth Farm Supply Ltd.  |  MTE Consultants Inc.  |  RE/MAX a-b REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE  |  RBC Dominion Securities – Stratford  |  Sommers Motor Generator Sales Ltd.

Accumetal Manufacturing Inc.  |  Dunphy Burdett Lawyers  |  Enbridge Gas Inc.  |  Hensall District Co-Operative Inc.  |  Hyde Construction Ltd.  |  Intact Insurance Company  |  Larry Hudson Chevrolet Buick GMC  |  Little Lakes Machine & Tool Co. Ltd.  |  Orr Insurance & Investment

BDO Canada LLP  |  Commercial Printers Limited  |  Famme and Co. Professional Corporation  |  GOTECH Networking Solutions  |  TA Networks