Great Grants Award Winners: Simcoe-York (Front row from left to right) Toni Pellicano; Maxine Roness; Michelle Dinnick; Bernadette Hart of Between Friends, Aboriginal Clothing and Book Drive accept the OTF Great Grants Award for Human and Social Services from (back row left to right) L. Robin Cardozo, CEO, OTF; Vijay Lekhi, OTF Grant Review Team member; Loreta Pavese, OTF Grant Review Team, Chair; John Pugsley, OTF Program Manager; Helen Burstyn, Chair, OTF Board of Directors; Vincent Conville, OTF Board member Sharon, October 18, 2007 – Six remarkable Ontario not-for-profit organizations will be honoured for the difference they have made in their communities at the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s 25th Anniversary celebration in Sharon, October 18, 2007.  The evening will be hosted by Helen Burstyn, Board Chair, OTF. “The Great Grants Awards recognize the vision, commitment and energy of Ontario’s volunteers and community organizations,” said Loreta Pavese, Grant Review Team Chair for Simcoe-York. “This is our 25th year of strengthening communities and we’re celebrating by holding 16 award events across the province. We look forward to meeting community members in the Simcoe-York Region who help make Ontario a great place to live.” The Foundation presents the Great Grants Awards every two years. The award winners were selected by volunteers who serve on the local Grant Review Team. In Simcoe-York, six organizations were chosen for their outstanding achievements in the Arts and Culture, Sports and Recreation, Environment and Human and Social Services sectors. 2007 Great Grants Award Winners:  Simcoe-York • Arts and Culture: Collingwood Music Festival Association Since 2000, the Collingwood Music Festival Association has been one of the region’s most successful attractions.  In 2003, with the help of a two year OTF grant of $67,000, it expanded the burgeoning classical music festival by launching a noteworthy sales and marketing campaign. During the span of the grant, ticket sales tripled. The volunteer base grew and participants were trained in marketing and fundraising techniques. As well, in partnership with area schools, students were introduced to music through concerts and workshops. Today, the Festival is known throughout Ontario for its superb classical, world music and jazz performances. It has helped boost summertime cultural tourism to the region. Thanks to the vision and persistence of organizers and volunteers, the Collingwood Music Festival is music to our ears. • Sports and Recreation: The Georgian Bay Rowing Club Canada has a long tradition of rowing excellence and has produced Olympians like Silken Laumann, Marnie McBean and Derek Porter. The Georgian Bay Rowing Club is carrying on the tradition by providing recreational rowing opportunities for people in the Midland region, both serious competitors and those new to the sport. In 2005, OTF granted the club $77,400 over two years to enhance programs and services and attract new members. The “Learn to Row” program is offered to the community and as part of local high school physical education. Buying new equipment also allowed the Club to introduce programs for persons with disabilities. The Club has 67 volunteers and holds both a fall regatta and a regatta geared toward high school students. Rowing in Midland has never been so merry. • Environment: Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of the most significant landforms in southern Ontario. It contains the headwaters of 65 river systems, has significant flora and fauna and is one of the last remaining continuous green corridors in the area. The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust intends to keep it that way. In 2003, the Foundation provided a three year $180,000 grant to assist without reach programs, fundraising capacity and building conservation agreements with local communities. As of 2006, the Trust has protected 2,858 acres of land, in part by the generous donation of properties. The Moraine cause has also been championed by people like Margaret Atwood and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. With a volunteer base of 50 and a passion for nature preservation, the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust is making headway saving headwaters. • Human and Social Services: Between Friends, Aboriginal Clothing and Book Drive Parents from across the Simcoe-York region sing the praises of the Kids Come First Child Care Centre of Vaughan. Founded in 1992 as a charitable organization, it provides a stimulating environment that fosters curiosity and develops potential for learning. It offers innovative programs for children aged two to 12. In 2003, OTF granted the Centre $77,400 over three years to expand its annual Between Friends, Aboriginal Clothing and Book Drive. The drive was warmly embraced by the community. With the support of over 200 volunteers, donations of clothing and books increased exponentially. Donations were packed and shipped to Thunder Bay and aboriginal groups collected their boxes at a hub, with more remote communities having their donations flown in. This program has been an enormous success. Helping kids help others really does put kids first. • Grant Review Team Chair’s Award - for exemplifying the spirit of volunteerism: Girls on the Run Simcoe County Being an adolescent girl is full of challenges. Self-esteem, positive self-image and belonging are just some of the issues girls face. The volunteers at Girls on the Run Simcoe mentor and help girls in grades three to eight to be their best through an innovative running program. It offers a safe environment to participate, regardless of athletic ability. Through warm-ups, running games and workouts, girls are empowered to make healthy choices for themselves. In 2005, the organization received a Foundation grant of $10,500 over one year to further recruit, screen and train volunteers. The community responded with great enthusiasm and parents, teachers and university student volunteers almost doubled. After 12 months, the program had 435 participants from eight area schools, up from 57 participants and two schools. The organization has no staff and is run by 15 active volunteers.  This grant finished strong. • 25th Anniversary Award - for remaining a leader in the not-for profit or charitable sector by consistently delivering on the Foundation’s granting priorities: Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan In 1990, a group of neighbours in York Region founded the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan, to support and help Filipino Canadians celebrate their cultural roots while participating in community life. The Association has launched many initiatives over the years, like the twinning of Vaughan with Baguio City, resulting in a friendship agreement between the governments of Canada and the Philippines. OTF awarded this dynamic association $62,000 in 2003 to renovate a multi-service community centre, making it a permanent home. Family members of all ages enjoy activities at the centre including sports, heritage classes, dance, information workshops and peer support groups. With the help of this grant, the centre will continue to be the gathering place for generations of Filipino Canadians for years to come. Back to the events list