Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Building Communities Is Back!

Twice per year, CLAC awards donations of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,500 to local causes nominated by members. All causes and amounts are selected at random from qualified nominations.

Due to the pandemic, CLAC suspended its Building Communities program for 2020 to focus efforts on helping members. The program has resumed for 2021, and members can submit nominations for the first draw, to be held in June. Nominations are due May 15.

Three causes nominated by Ontario healthcare members each won a donation during draws held in December 2019.

Community Care in St. Catharines, nominated by Channon York, a Local 302 member employed by United Mennonite Home for the Aged, received a $2,500 donation. “Community Care, St. Catharines and Thorold, has been meeting the needs of the less advantaged in the community since 1919 with a wide variety of programs,” says Channon. “Programs range from food and shelter security to emergency services and support that leads to the independence clients strive to achieve. Community Care provides vital services and assistance to individuals and families that meet their basic needs and help bridge their journey to self-sufficiency.”

Cope Service Dogs in Barrie, nominated by Maegan Beian, a Local 304 member employed by IOOF Seniors Homes Inc., received a $1,500 donation. “Cope Service Dogs was founded in 1999, providing training of service dogs that transform the lives of people with disabilities,” says Maegan. “Canines in the Classroom is Cope’s signature program designed to give high school students who face challenges that may prevent them from graduating high school an opportunity to learn how to train service dogs. The program, which takes place during the school day, is linked to the Ontario secondary school curriculum. Students can earn high school credits while learning essential literacy and workplace skills, as well as take pride in the role they play in enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.”

Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF), nominated by Jeffrey Miller, a Local 304 member employed by Oak Ridges Retirement Community received a $1,000 donation. “ORMF is a nonprofit organization mandated to preserve and enhance the Oak Ridges Moraine,” says Jeffrey. “It was founded in 2002 as a governing body dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of the Oak Ridges Moraine as a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. The Oak Ridges Moraine stretches 160 kilometres from the Trent River in the east to the Niagara Escarpment in the west crossing 32 municipalities. It supplies drinking water to more than 250,000 individuals and supports related agricultural, industrial, commercial, and recreational uses.”

Ruth Ann Ferguson (CLAC representative) and Local 304 members Denise Dinopol, Elizabeth Izaguirre, Dilu Shrestha, and Jeffrey Miller

Maegan Beian (Local 304 member), Ruth Ann Ferguson (CLAC representative), Paul Mckerracher (Cope volunteer driver), Liz Saul (Cope board member), Trevor Roberts (Cope president kneeling with Magic)

Building Communities Is Back!

You might be interested in