Local Dentist Donates $50,000
On December 19th the Foundation received a significant contribution of $50,000 from Dr. Eric Kristof, and his wife Lisa Kristof. The funding will support a new donor-advised fund.
Eric Kristof said he and Lisa want to see the new fund established to support children in the community.
"I was born and raised in Portage la Prairie and came back after school to work in Portage, so it is a very large part of my life," said Eric Kristof. "I felt that we would like to give back to the community -- it helped raise me and get me to where I am now."
The Kristofs have three young children of their own, so providing funding to support other children was meaningful to them. Kristof said the Community Foundation of Portage will help guide the couple in how the funds will be used to benefit the children in the community.
First Named Fund created within the Oakville Community Fund
“Arnold and Wendy Blight are great advocates for their community,” said Barney Christianson, Chair of the Community Foundation of Portage and District. “Once again they have demonstrated, in concrete terms, the strength of that commitment by supporting today’s needs and building for a better future tomorrow with another generous donation.”
The Blights handed over a cheque for $3,000 in December to be added to an earlier donation of $2,000 to create the Arnold and Wendy Blight Fund within the Oakville and District Community Endowment Fund. The principal from the Fund will never be spent, only the interest earned will be forwarded yearly to the Oakville Community Club to be used to support community projects in the Oakville area.
Arnold said, “Wendy and I feel it is important to give back as others have before us. Many have given time to make our younger years so enjoyable. Growing up in a small community such as Oakville, we were always given the chance at using and enjoying whatever facilities the community had to offer. Most of them, rink, ball diamond, community hall, etc were run by volunteers from all families involved and fundraising took place from within. In this day and time that remains important with a lot of people giving of their time to make it possible for children and adults alike to enjoy what this community has to offer. The need for funding will always be present to sustain these benefits.”
$34,075 Goes to Local Charities in November
Where do the dollars come from? Individuals, families, businesses or community groups donate to the Community Foundation of Portage and District. Contributions come in all sizes and each one benefits the community. These gifts are never spent, only the earned income is used to support the grants program.
What is the focus of the grant program? Simply put, it is to increase the ability and capacity of individuals and local organizations to meet current and future needs, whatever they may be. Local charities may submit an application; deadlines are April 1 and October 1.
So far Grants totaling $34,075 were handed out in November and another $32,000 will be presented by end of December. These grants support health, education, arts, recreation, and community services. Children, families, adults and seniors benefit from the dollars given to theses charitable organizations that provide services to the citizen of Portage and District.
Grants Awarded
Central Plains Challenge Walk Website
CFPD Grants co-chair Brad McMurray presented a cheque for $941 to Kathy Chapman and the Portage Crew from Central Plains Cancer Care for the creation of the Central Plains Challenge Walk website.
The Portage FASD Coalition receives funding for a resource library
CFPD Vice President and Grants co-chair Ray Johnson presented a cheque for $1,000 to Barry Rud and Debbie Parker co-chairs of the Portage la Prairie Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Coalition/Portage Friendship Centre.
La Verendrye School receives funding for wall mats for the gymnasium
At the school assembly on May 31, CFPD Grants Co-chair Brad McMurray presented a cheque for $2,000 to LVS Parent Council President Lori Penner and Treasurer Wayne Harris.
Will Day - April 27th, 2001
How do you ensure your last wishes are achievable? Why do you need an updated Will? How can you support the community by making a charitable gift in your Will? These are just a few questions that will be answered during Will Day.
Under the umbrella of EndowManitoba, the three North Central Manitoba Foundations joined together to promote Will Day on Wednesday, April 27 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. The two free seminars are being held in the Crocus Room at the Herman Prior Centre.
Endow Manitoba
Endow Manitoba is a province-wide informational campaign to help raise awareness of community foundations and build support. In rural Manitoba, 45 Community Foundations are participating in Endow Manitoba, a special campaign encouraging residents of towns and regions to consider a gift to their local community foundation. In North Central we have 3 community foundations, The North Norfolk and MacGregor Foundation, Big Grass Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Portage and District Inc (CFPDI).
Six Bursaries
The Community Foundation of Portage and District has six opportunities for students to access funding to help cover their costs to pursue a post secondary education. If you are seeking a career in business, education, medical care or aviation please go to the Publications page to access the specific bursary criteria and application form.
Les Green Fund
Spurred on by the Community Foundation of Portage and Districts “Drive for Five”, Les Green asked the question, “Do you want my money now or after I’m gone?” He made special provision in his will to give the Foundation $5,000. The answer: giving to the Foundation now would give Les the opportunity to see his money at work in the community. The decision was made to establish the Les Green Fund. As two previous gifts in memory of his first wife Shirley and second wife Gwen were undesignated, the dollars were added to the Fund to create a balance of $7,000.
Margaret Watson Fund
On behalf of Margaret Watson, nephew Bob McCallister created the Margaret Watson Fund with a donation from her for $50,000. On hand for the signing of the Fund agreement is President Dale Lyle and Treasurer John Chapman from the Community Foundation of Portage and District. The Fund is undesignated and will help meet current community needs.
Children in Need Fund Grows
On November 24, Janelle and Andrea Mitchell, members of the “Get Stuffed” volleyball team, signed a fund agreement with the Community Foundation of Portage and District to create the “Children in Need Fund.” The team hosted a volleyball tournament and social on October 23, and the proceeds of $2240 formed the basis of the Fund. With the additional dollars the Fund has increased in size creating a new balance of $3240.
Portage Odd Fellows add to their Fund
CFPD Vice President Ray Johnson receives a cheque for $2,000 from Portage Odd Fellows Noble Grand Keith Lewis. The dollars were raised through their bingo program and will be added to the “Portage Odd Fellows and Ruth Rebekah Lodge #3 Fund”. The fund will now have a balance of $12,000.
Community Foundation Gets a $1.9 Million Gift
The Community Foundation of Portage and District received a donation of almost $2 million on Thursday, October 28 from a local resident.
Ann Barraclough, executor of the Avis Margaret Degruelle Estate, flew out from Toronto to present the first cheque for $1.75 million to President Dale Lyle at the Founders and Friends Celebration held at Canad Inns in Portage la Prairie. The value of this awesome donation will be approximately $1.9 Million.