This year, Cararaqui-Kingston Rotary received 7applications for funding from diverse organizations in Kingston and area. Proposals were reviewed by members of the Service Projects Committee and evaluated against the criteria stated in the Funding Application.
The Cataraqui- Kingston Rotary Club had $18,000 , earned from bingo and other fundraising activities, like the Rotary On- Line Auction, to grant to the 2019 Spring Grants program. $5,000 was set in reserve to support a Centennial project in 2021, leaving $13,000 for Spring Grants. Five grants were awarded. A presentation ceremony was part of the regular meeting on May 7, 2019 at our new location , Oddfellows Hall, 218 Concession St.
The winning organization proposals granted include:
St Francis of Assisi Catholic School - $4305- Colleen Earle, teacher, attended. St Francis of Assisi Catholic School has partnered with the Dollywood Foundation with a project , Imagination Library, to provide children (0-5 years) with a free book , delivered monthly, to the child’s home, until the age of 5 years. Funds to be applied to the cost of postage to supply books to over 100 needy families supporting reading materials supporting early literacy skills for children approaching junior kindergarten. Early Childhood Educators choose age appropriate books for this program.
Kingston Symphony Association- $2,000 –Andrea Haughton, General Manager, attended. Grant funds to be applied towards music education and instruction through a Discover the Symphony outreach program. This is a series of performances performed by small ensembles from the Kingston Symphony Orchestra. These performances are played outside concert halls and are designed to introduce youth to the different instruments used in the performances and invite them to rehearsals and coaching sessions to increase musical literacy and appreciation. Funds support, in part, cost of coaching sessions and transport of students to performances and rehearsals.
Music Mates- $1920 - Mae Whalen,Administrator, attended to receive grant fund cheque. Funds support Projection Project, for purchase of projection equipment and large screen supporting education programming, including music, to special needs persons relating to speech, sight and hearing impairments. Projection is instrumental to supporting education through programs for individuals who cannot or have not attended a public school. A projection device enhances group participation for programming and recreational sessions tailored to the verbal and visual needs of this special needs segment of our community.
Bereaved Families of Ontario - Kingston Division - $ 1290 - Barb Mundell, Executive Director, attended . Funds were granted to fund a program Grief Support Groups, closed group, grief support sessions at local high schools with up to 10 attendees per session. Materials and resources are provided to facilitate the groups attendance, as well as transport to the site. Sessions are designed to help decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation for persons dealing with death.
YMCA of Kingston - $2000 - Michele Wright, Development Coordinator, attended. Funds received support, YMCA Eco-Camp, a series of 7 , week long day camps aimed at helping children develop a healthy , lifelong connection to nature and the environment through exploration and play in local wilderness parks and conservation areas. Site visits include Rotary Park and Frontenac Park. Funds help support the cost of materials, subject matter expert honorariums, inclusion counsellors (where necessary) and bus transport. Up to 300 kids impacted. Up to 350 children will be impacted by this program.
The traditional loaf of bread was presented to St. Francis of Assisi school by Ana Sutherland in support of their Breakfast for Kids program.
