The Bowen Island Community Foundation received its charitable status 10 years ago and it is bearing fruit that were distributed at the organization's annual general meeting on May 29.
"The symbol of the community foundation is a tree and there is a good reason for that," Joyce Ganong, chair of the foundation, said. "The roots of a tree are deep and the roots of the foundation are firmly anchored in the community." A tree trunk symbolizes strength and Ganong linked it to the endowment funds that give organizations a measure of permanence. "Branches allow the tree to sway in the wind and respond to changes in environment. They also give an overview of what is happening," Ganong said. She sees the branches as symbolic for a safe place for communication.
"The fruit of a tree provide germination of the future," Ganong said. "The fruit of the community foundation is its investments that allow people and organizations do their work."
Ganong stressed the importance of continuity and thanked the foundation's board and donors for providing it. Ganong said that the goal is to be strategic in granting and to foster a caring community. This has been reflected in the newly minted Bowen Island Community Caring Fund. The desire to help those in need finds reflection in the foundation's decision to provide assistance for community members who face an emergency, according to Ganong. "On June 9, we are hosting a discussion on the creation of an emergence response fund, some of you will be familiar with the term community chest," Ganong said, asking that community members and organizations interested in being involved contact her at [email protected].
Ganong said that the foundation has been "blessed with a series of gifts" that has allowed it to direct money to worthy organizations and individuals. Examples are the Nicolette McIntosh's gift of art and the endowment fund from Maggie Cummings. Ganong said Maggie Cummings named three priorities for her bequest: stewardship and development of trails and the environment, a scholarship for a student with deep ties to the island and the support of programs offered through Snug Cove House (formerly Abbeyfield). "Maggie [Cummings] loved this island. She loved the trails, the nature, and she loved her horses," Ganong said. "She left us a wonderful gift that keeps on giving and will continue into the future."
Grade 12 student Annie Faragher was selected as the recipient of the 2012 scholarship and Ganong said she couldn't imagine a "better match for Maggie's scholarship." Faragher said, "I feel honoured that [the award] came from my little community. Looking around the room, I see my preschool and ballet teacher here. I hope that I will make you proud as I enter UBC."
Another grant went to Snug Cove House for the Better Meals Program. Marilyn Anderson and Murray Atherton accepted the $1500 on behalf of the organization. Atherton said, "This [sum] won't just help cover the costs it will expand it."
Sue Ellen Fast spoke about Cumming's gift that goes toward extending the network of trails. "We completed a couple of her projects last year. One is a board walk that cuts across Headwaters Park. We connected a couple of pieces of trail and restored multi-use access. Now it is possible to come all the way to Quarry Park through Headwaters Park and connect to Willie's Way down to the centre of the island. This opens up opportunities for alternative forms of transportation as the trails are suitable for walking and horses, bicycles."
Colleen O'Neil, a board member of the Community Foundation, announced the recipient of the Caring Community Grant. "This is the second year we decided to amalgamate our funds into one major grant because we felt it would have a bigger impact," she said. "We feel that Family Place is very much aligned with our goals and objectives."
Family Place applied for a grant to transform the area outside its door into a multi-use space where toys and equipment for Family Place and the Bowen Island Youth Centre can be stored. The organization also plans to expand the area to include a small park and play area that will connect to the space of the Bowen Children's Centre that is located above.
"The grant will have an impact on all those organizations," O'Neil said. "The space will be safe and multi-use. A walkway will be extended to go around the back of building to connect to the Children's Centre. This reaches out to a huge demographic."
O'Neil said that the grant of $5,000 will not cover the entire cost of the project that is estimated at $10,000 but will hopefully open the door for other funders.
Angela Parkin accepted the grant on behalf of Family Place. She said, "Our grant from last year revitalized the organization. Now, not only do we not have to close the doors to new families, we can open the doors to the outside."
