Several groups and individuals shared just over $15,000 in disbursements from the estate of Lloyd and Elsie Campbell. It was the first installment in what eventually will be $55,000 per annum available for youth and recreation in the community.
Committee member Gwen Wooley said they called for applications in April, then met and made their decisions.
“It was the first go-round,” Wooley explained, “Everyone is still trying to figure out what applies and what is going on. We had quite a few applicants and we had some good projects. We probably had 5-6 groups and that many individuals as well.”
The Minto Recreation Facility Committee received $8,190 to make their rink more accessible and safe in regards to moving the hockey nets. The Mini Mustang daycare received $1,700 for outdoor toys and playthings, while the Minto Mini Sticks hockey team received $1,575 for jerseys and socks. Minto School got $500 for their Artist in School Program and there were $3,200 in personal requests for registration fees and equipment.
The pleasant situation began a decade ago, while the Campbell’s were still alive. Lloyd had originally come from Minto before leaving around 1948 and moving out to the coast, getting involved in ventures such as real estate and boat building. Ten years ago, they sent a $20,000 cheque to Minto. A committee was set up and they found it would not be the only money they would be receiving, as they would be getting a donation in perpetuity. When Elsie passed in 2016, they found the annual amount would be $55,000. Last fall, they received around $27,000 and will get the full amount in November 2017.
The stipulations for granting are youth and recreation, and Wooley said they are still working on the parameters with the Vancouver Foundation who administers the money. Youth is fairly simple, she said, but recreation is somewhat in the eye of the beholder.
“We need to keep in touch with the Foundation, make them understand the community, what we do in the community in this day and age. We just don’t have the people to do some things. If it falls under sports, it’s okay. We want to make sure we honour Lloyd and Elsie’s wishes. It does put a little pressure on you, but we want to do it right.”
More grants should be on their way. As well as the money received last fall, there was some left over from the grant a decade ago, so Wooley said there is still around $18,000 left. The committee will be looking at applications on a fairly regular basis and make decisions from there.
“It will be ongoing,” she stated. “We had said we would call a meeting when a few applications came in, maybe a bi-monthly basis. We’re feeling our way through it. It will depend on the applications. We want to do it in a timely basis. There may be a project that comes up in the middle. We don’t want to delay it, so we would have a meeting and deal with it.”
She added the community as well as the committee has to work on identifying projects that need done, particularly when the $55,000 comes each year. Everyone also must keep in mind they do not have to spend all of the money each year, so some could be earmarked for larger projects.
“People in the community need to get together and decide what we need. People need to do that, get the numbers, and find out who is going to do it. Then we will certainly look at it.”
Wooley said the committee was pleased with how the process has begun and looks forward to the future.
“I think the committee as a group was happy we got the applications, to help the community and kids in the community. I think the feedback has been positive. We just really want people to use it. It is a gift for the community. We want families and youth in the community to use it. It is there to be used.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff