When the St. Albert Community Foundation gave out its annual grants last month, it was helping to make sure that several non-profit groups received boosts in their funding so that they could continue to serve the citizens in the best possible way.
For KidSport, that means continuing to offer sports registration fees to an ever-growing number of area youths who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to play.
"We've distributed more grants in the past year than we had in previous years," explained Colin McGuinness, board member of the local chapter. KidSport St. Albert is now in its fourth year of operation and has already doubled the number of its grant recipients. The upward trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Part of that is that simple awareness is still building. During that grant presentation, several people approached McGuinness to say that they were impressed by KidSport's work but that they didn't know there was a chapter in St. Albert.
"They were interested about learning more, and trying to connect us with other groups that may be able to assist us. The awareness within the community is still growing but it's great when the word gets out there because, in turn, it helps more people that need our services to be in the know. Then they're able to seek us out and take advantage and put their kid into a sport, maybe something that they haven't even really looked into before because it just simply wasn't an option financially."
KidSport pays the registration fees straight to the sporting associations. He noted that parents can then apply to Sport Central or similar organizations for equipment if need be.
He thanked the community foundation for its support, which will allow it to offer at least eight kids a chance to play this year.
In the meantime, it is also looking forward to a few other fundraising sporting events coming up in the next month or two. The Canadian Progress Club is set to host its annual pond hockey championship on Saturday, Feb. 4 while the 2017 COLAS Cup Hockey Tournament will run at Servus Place from Thursday, Feb. 16 to Sunday, Feb. 19.
People can learn more, apply for assistance, and make donations by calling 780-504-5599 or visiting www.kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/st-albert.
The CIVC still making a difference but with a difference too
Community Information and Volunteer Centre executive director Joe Becigneul said that his organization has always made its name on being a community information one-stop shop and offering volunteer referrals. That will never change.
One thing might change though: its name.
"It's a work in progress," he said. "One of the big components of what we do a lot of here is community information and referral. Most people think it's the community volunteer centre. Yes, it is that but the information and referral component is huge."
If you're looking for housing, childcare, or a doctor who is taking new patients, the CIVC is a great place to start.
Some of the other services that the CIVC offers includes tax return preparation for seniors and people with low income, babysitting courses, promotions for volunteerism and community action in youths, and connections between adult mentors and youths who need them through Sidekicks Mentoring. CIVC also has a program called Making It Right to help teens with legal troubles to fulfill community service obligations.
It's also the local centre for the Canada 150 for 150 Volunteer Challenge, a nationwide campaign to get more people to volunteer for 150 hours over the course of the year for the country's 150th anniversary.
The CIVC is going to use its grant from the St. Albert Community Foundation to help with its marketing and promotion plan so that more people know what it offers. Many people are unaware of the variety of roles the centre plays for providing information, volunteer links, as well as some direct services.
To learn more, call 780-459-6666 or visit www.stalbertcivc.com.
