Article for The Valley Voice
Volume 30, Number 11. June 17, 2021
During the pandemic, we can be grateful for feel-good stories, and the Slocan Valley Community Legacy Society’s recent AGM told such a tale.
As the Slocan Valley Community Legacy Society (SVCLS) celebrates its 10th anniversary, it also celebrates the growth of the Legacy Fund.
The society distributes the income from the Legacy Fund to support local community needs, activities and projects, thereby enriching and strengthening our resilient, resourceful and vital community and environment.
2021 grant recipients were announced at the AGM. The projects funded this year highlight the importance of outdoor activity in our home place. Grants were awarded for WE Graham Community School’s pollinator garden; the Slocan Park Hall Society’s outdoor ice rink (sponsored by the Rural Alternatives Research and Training Society); the Valhalla Hills Nordic Ski Club and the North Slocan Trails Society’s ski trail maintenance equipment (sponsored by Hills Recreation Society); the Slocan Valley Heritage Trail Society’s trail maintenance equipment (sponsored by the Village of Slocan); the Valhalla Foundation for Ecology’s wetland restoration; and the Healthy Community Society’s community events (sponsored by Zion United Church).
Legacy Fund grants can be given to qualified donees – registered charities, municipalities and churches. This year, five grants were awarded to organizations that were sponsored by qualified donees. To show appreciation for their sponsorship, the SVCLS provided grants to assist the sponsoring organizations with the costs of administering the grants.
The Granting Committee also reported that in 2020, the SVCLS was the conduit of funds from the Community Foundations of Canada (CFC). CFC provided emergency funds to local communities to provide COVID relief, especially related to mental health. SVCLS adjudicated applications from Kootenay Art Therapy Institute, SQx Danza, Hills Recreation Society/New Denver Youth Network, WE Graham Community Services Society, and the Kalein Hospice Centre Society. The SVCLS also administered funding from RBC for a local youth initiative.
Generous donations from individuals provide ongoing growth of the Legacy Fund, which in turn creates more funding available for grants. There are two new ways of giving – in memory of someone or in honour of someone. This is a great way to acknowledge a personal friend or family member, express appreciation, or celebrate a milestone event. Donations can be a one- time occurrence or be set up as a monthly contribution. All donations qualify for a charitable donation tax receipt. Details can be found at slocanvalleylegacy.com.
In addition to individual donors, Kootenay Savings Community Foundation continues to play an important role as a contributor to annual granting funds.
Deep gratitude was expressed at the SVCLS’s AGM – to members and donors, to the valley’s volunteers and their good works, to outgoing chair Alex Berland, to retiring director Barbara Curry Mulcahy to incoming chair Val Mayes, and to new board member Ruth Hackett.
Yes, the SVCLS’s AGM was a feel-good story of gratitude, good intentions, and good energy.
For additional information about the Legacy Fund, visit www.slocanvalleylegacy. com.
You can download the Newspaper below, or visit The Valley Voice website HERE.