The Sunset Community Foundation’s Greater Grand Bend Area (GGBA) Community Fund hosted its 2024 Grant Awards Celebration on Wednesday, November 27, at the Grand Bend Legion. This special evening brought together over 80 community members, including funders, service organizations, volunteers, local officials, and residents, to celebrate the impact of philanthropy in our region.
The GGBA Community Fund awarded an impressive total of $112,878 in grants to 23 local service organizations. These grants will support vital programs and initiatives that address community needs, foster collaboration, and improve the quality of life in the Greater Grand Bend area.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Acknowledgment of Generous Funders: The evening opened with Peter Janzen, GGBA Advisory Chair, giving thanks to the Royal Canadian Legion Grand Bend Branch #498 for sponsoring the event and for their ongoing community leadership.
Grant Presentations: Jim Jean, GGBA Advocate to the SCF Board, explained how the GGBA Advisory Committee thoughtfully reviewed 30 grant submissions, awarding funds to impactful programs ranging from seniors’ wellness and youth initiatives to environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Grand Women Fund
Contributed to the $7,000 that was granted to Huron Shores United Church for their Grand Bend Community Food Pantry
Grand Men Fund
Contributed to the $5,800 that was granted to the Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre for their Food Pantry Program
$1,623 to Ageless Vitality Fitness partnered with Huron Shores United Church for the Ageless Vitality Fitness Seniors Wellness program
$7,000 to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority partnered with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation for their Youth Tree Planting
$2,000 to Ausable Port Franks Optimist Club partnered with the Municipality of Lambton Shores for their Technology
Improvements to Better Serve the Community and Youth Program
$10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron for their Big Bunch program
$5,000 to Forest Cliff Camps for their Conversation Areas Project
$5,000 to Forest Fritter Friends partnered with the Municipality of Lambton Shores for Program Coordinator Project
$4,500 to Grand Bend & Area Studio Tour partnered with the Municipality of Lambton Shores for the River Road Arts Fair
$2,955 to Grand Bend Place at Huron Shores United Church for their Grand Bend Community Communications Hub (Bulletin Board)
$10,000 to Huron Country Playhouse for their new Huron Country Playhouse Artists’ Residence
$6,000 to Huron Waves Music Festival for This Season of Magic with Susan Aglukark concert
$5,000 to Lake Huron Coastal Centre for Clean-up the Coast of Lake Huron
$4,400 to Lakeshore Eco-Network partnered with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation for Tree Planting at the Klondyke Pickleball Courts
$2,500 to Literacy Lambton for their Train Your Brain Program at the Greater Grand Bend sites
$7,100 to Nature Conservancy of Canada for Improvements to the Ipperwash Dunes and Swales Trail
$4,000 to RCL Branch 498 Grand Bend Legion partnered with the Municipality of Lambton Shores for upgrading their Window Blinds and Stage Curtains
$10,000 to the United Way of Perth-Huron to expand the Rotating Youth Wellness Hub to Grand Bend
$5,000 to United Way of Perth-Huron for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Clinics to Reduce Poverty Program
$1,000 to West Coast Lions Club of Grand Bend partnered with the Municipality of Lambton Shores for the Wednesday Night Familiar Favorites Summer Concert Series
$5,000 to Wildlife Preservation Canada for their Preserving the Buzz: Expanding Community Citizen Science for Pollinator Conservation at the Pinery Provincial Park
SPECIAL AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Huron Entrepreneur Fund Grant of $2,000 was awarded to the Alexander Marine and General Hospital Foundation to support vital healthcare services.
The Ukraine Resettlement Fund Grant of $1,287 was awarded to the Goderich Lions Club’s Newcomers Fund to assist resettlement efforts in collaboration with local organizations.
The MJ Muma Fund Grant of $9,666 was awarded to the Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre towards upgrading their Elevator Upgrades for the Visually & Hearing Impaired
The MJ Muma Bursary Fund Scholarship of $1,700 will be presented to two students ($850 each) at North Lambton Secondary School on December 19th
WORDS OF GRATITUDE
Peter Janzen, Chair of the GGBA Advisory Committee and event emcee, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many funders, partners, and volunteers whose generosity made these grants possible. “This evening is a celebration of our community’s collective spirit and commitment to creating positive change,” said Janzen.
The evening concluded with opportunities for networking, collaboration, and envisioning future initiatives to support our vibrant and growing community.
Looking Ahead
The Sunset Community Foundation invites everyone to the next Grant Awards Celebration, scheduled in South Huron for late May 2025. |
