In October 2011, board members of the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society (LNTCFS) identified that the organization had some surplus funds on hand. As a result, the decision was made to provide $5,000 in student bursaries, and to distribute an additional $5,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations. Applications for the non-profit grants were accepted until Dec. 31, 2011.
Barriere resident Ron Hindson, a director for LNTCFS, noted, “It’s satisfying to see that we are finally able to do this since our Society began working in the area.”
Hindson says LNTCFS received six applications from non-profits, and based on a review of those submissions, the society’s board made the decision at their Jan. 9, 2012, meeting to increase the total grant amount to $5,750 and to distribute the total of those funds to the following selected organizations;
• The North Thompson Volunteer and Information Center requested a grant to be used for construction of new storage cupboards in their office. They will received a grant of $1,000.
• The North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association requested a grant to assist with the construction of the North Thompson Agriplex. They will received a grant of $1,000 towards the project.
• The Barriere Curling Club requested a grant to assist with refurbishing jobs that need to be done, such as the cement floor in the ice area has to be resurfaced, and the lower lobby, upper lobby, staircase, and upper washrooms need to be repainted. They will received a grant of $1,000 to help with these costs.
• The Little Fort Recreation Society asked for a grant to assist with their community activities program, which includes a community dinner, several cooking classes, and many more community oriented activities. They will receive a grant of $1,000 to help defray the costs of these programs.
• The North Thompson Communities Foundation received a grant of $750 which will be applied to the hosting costs of a one day grant proposal writing workshop for local non-profit groups being held in Little Fort on March 10, 2012.
• The Barriere Lions Club is planning to build a shelter in Fadear park, and the grant of $1,000 that they will receive will assist with a portion of the cost for the construction of the shelter.
Hindson commented, “We are pleased to finally be able to give back to the Lower North Thompson area for the support we have received for our locally based forestry work.”