Community Matters

Youth in Action is the Foundations new granting program that was created to encourage youth to take an active interest in their community. We were happy to award three grants to the following youth-initiated and youth-driven projects. Our next Youth in Action application deadline will take place on October 15, 2013. For more information, or to request an application, please call 403-328-5297. ENCHANT SCHOOL Students of Enchant School will use a $1,000 Youth in Action grant to create a series of displays to celebrate the communitys 100th Anniversary in 2014. The students are excited to get started on community interviews and other research.

SPRING/SUMMER 2013

15th Annual Friends of the Foundation Dinner

Thursday, October 3, 2013 With Guest Speaker Will Ferguson
We are looking forward to welcoming Will Ferguson as the keynote speaker for our annual Friends Dinner in October. Ferguson is an award-winning Canadian author whose work has been sold into more than 20 languages around the world. His last book, 419, is the winner of the 2012 Giller Prize. For tickets call: 403-328-5297. ST. PATRICK FINE ARTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The Grade 4 students are excited to be able to plant a garden at St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School. With tools, soil, seeds, plants and shrubs purchased through a $1,000 Youth in Action grant, the students will help make their schoolyard a greener place.

Students Maegan Vissers and Katrina Peters with Principal David Walters.

WARNER HOCKEY SCHOOL Warner School received $3,000 for a youth project headed up by the Students Union. The students will purchase a portable sound system that they will operate as volunteers at community events in a variety of community gathering places. Two donors have joined the Foundation in giving the students the tools to volunteer in the community.

The Grade 4 class is presented with their $1,000 cheque by Principal Shelley Baier. Page 1

2012 at a Glance
Supporting our charities
Many charities throughout the southwest were awarded Community Impact Grants in 2012 from funds that have been established by our donors. These grants assist charities in expanding their capacity to provide important services in three areas:

Grants support projects that add to the vitality of our communities, from public meeting places and libraries to music programs and cultural activities.

Grants assist charities that provide services to help people cope with poverty, family difficulties, severe illness and disabilities.

Assisted the volunteers who build and maintain integral community meeting places, such as the Readymade Community Hall, the Waterton Community Centre and the Granum Drop-In Centre.

Provided support to innovative youth services, such as the teen mentorship program at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lethbridge and the Dropn Beats program at McMan Youth Services. Also assisted with facility upgrades at Camp Carmangay and Woods Homes Emergency Youth Shelter.

Provided instruments and equipment for school music programs in Cardston, Magrath and Lethbridge, as well as for the dynamic University of Lethbridge Global Drummers.

Helped organizations provide family support services, such as the Family Centre in Lethbridge and the Streets Alive A.S.K. Learning Centre program.

Ensured the continuation of high-quality public library services in Barnwell, Crowsnest Pass, Milo, Picture Butte and Raymond, as well as at John Davidson Middle School in Coaldale and Erle Rivers High School in Milk River.

2012 Community Impact Grants by Area

Grants support the efforts of organizations promoting healthy lifestyles, environmental awareness and those that offer patient care.

Basic and Special Needs $42,382 20% Community Vitality $104,436 48% Healthy Living $68,500 32%

Supported youth physical fitness through seven school and community playground projects in Coaldale, Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, Magrath, Pincher Creek and Picture Butte, as well as supported the Alberta Summer Games and the Fort Macleod Sports Centre.

Helped the Claresholm Hospital to provide excellent bedside patient care through the purchase of a portable diagnostic tool.

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Thank You!
Our Community Supporters
Because of you, our donors, we are able to provide considerable support to charities each year. With contributions totalling $558,000, the Foundations endowments grew substantially in 2012. For a full list of 2012 donors, turn to page 8.

2012 Foundation Assets

Community Impact Funds Donors establish funds to support the most pressing and current needs in our communities. Investment income is distributed through a grant application process. Charity Support Funds People and charitable organizations establish funds to support the programs of particular charities. Field of Interest Funds People focus their support in areas that are personally important, such as youth, music, rural life, etc.
Total funds under management as of December 31, 2012: $15,468,131* Charity Support Funds $2,594,540 18%

Field of Interest Funds $821,470 6%

Community Impact Funds $11,158,326 76%

Investment returns
The market value of the permanent assets of the Foundation increased in 2012 to $14.5 million. This was aided by a net investment return of 8.32%.

*Note: Managed Funds total $893,795 and are not part of the permanent assets of the Foundation. The 2012 Audited Financial statement is available on the Foundation website. (www.cflsa.ca)

Board President, Dianne King

As someone who has been on the receiving end of a Community Foundation grant, I can attest to the fact that even $1,000 can make a huge difference for non-profit organizations. Without the generous involvement of citizens like you in southwestern Alberta, the diverse interests and needs of our communities would not be met. The Foundation salutes the volunteers whose passion for their projects and programs makes our region such a great place to live, as well as our donors who make our work possible. You too, can share your passion through a contribution of any size to help us continue our important work. Please read through this Spring Newsletter to learn more about what the Foundation is doing today.
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Spring 2013 Community Impact Grants

The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of 43 grants to community organizations totalling $211,240. Grants are provided through endowment funds established by generous donors to support a broad range of community services in the areas of Basic and Special Needs, Community Vitality and Healthy Living.
5th on 5th Youth Services will use a grant of $4,610 to purchase six new public computers. The Youth Employment Centre is a hive of activity with 17,000 visits per year. A grant of $3,700 will assist the Lethbridge chapter of the Alzheimer Society to better serve 2,200 clients a year through an office refurbishment. With a grant of $3,000 the Friends of Taber Literacy Association will purchase iPads to use as teaching tools for ESL and low literacy learners. This innovative project will expand the teaching potential of the 25 volunteers who provide one-on-one instruction. G. S. Lakie Middle School will use a grant of $5,000 ($1,000 from the Foundations 1975 Alberta Winter Games Fund) to purchase a professional sound mixer for the Convertible Theatre. This facility is used to expand the students knowledge of the arts and is used for many productions throughout the year.

Two leather reclining loveseats will be purchased by the Cardston and District Health Care Auxiliary Association with a $3,000 grant. The loveseats will be used in the lounge areas in the Long Term Care wing of the Cardston Health Centre to provide residents with an Glenwood Municipal Librarys book collection will area to interact outside of their rooms. expand with a $5,000 grant. The new books will include childrens selections, juvenile literature, young A grant of $8,200 will provide close-to-home childbirth adult materials, and First Nations picture books and services to residents of Cardston and surrounding area. graphic novels. The Cardston and District Health Foundation will purchase new equipment to upgrade the maternity Great Canadian Plains Railway Society will use a suite at the Cardston Health Centre. grant of $2,000 to complete the historical interior lighting for the station in Stirling. Three mammoth hall Chinook High School plans to use a grant of $3,500 to lamps and two caboose lamps will be purchased with create a multi-sensory room for students with special the grant. needs. This room will provide the students with a creative and calming environment. A grant of $15,000 ($3,000 coming from the Foundations Transport for the Disabled Fund) will allow the Claresholm and District Transportation Society to purchase a wheelchair accessible van. The new van will better accommodate clients throughout the MD of Willow Creek. A $2,000 grant, supplied by the Foundations 1975 Alberta Winter Games Fund, will be used by Fleetwood-Bawden School to purchase skating helmets for the afterschool skating program. The Fort Macleod Public Library will purchase five new public computers with a grant of $2,500. These computers are well-used by a wide variety of community members.
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The expansion of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre will provide improved exhibit space to be enjoyed by over The Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization has 30,000 visitors each year. A grant of $5,000 will assist over 180 computer club members and over 700 people with the development of the Active Earth Exhibit. attend computer classes and workshops every year. With a $5,000 grant the LSCO will replace 10 of the With up to 150 people receiving emergency food each outdated computers that are currently in the lab. month, the Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge will use a grant of $5,000 to improve A grant of $10,000 will bring the City of Lethbridge operations. The grant will be used to increase storage and the Lethbridge Skateboard Association one step capacity through the purchase of rolling storage bins, closer to the completion of a new skate park. The new wire shelving and industrial racks. park will be open to skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, bikes and wheelchairs and will provide many Each year the Kiwanis Club of Lethbridge receives Lethbridge youth with accessible entertainment. over 1,100 entries and utilizes 85 volunteers for the Music and Speech Arts Festival. A grant of $5,300 will The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen serves 100 homeless provide a computer system upgrade to support the and low-income clients with a hot noon meal 6 days a annual two week event. week, as well as soup, bread and dessert for an evening meal. A grant of $6,700 will enable the group to A grant of $1,650 will provide the Lethbridge and purchase a gas convection oven that will use less energy District Birthright Society with updated computer and while being used for up to six hours per day. audiovisual equipment. This will assist the interaction of volunteers with clients and allow for smoother public A school district wide project to raise the academic presentations. performance of First Nations, Mtis and Inuit students is being introduced by the Livingstone Range School Lethbridge Area Search and Rescue Associations Division. The grant of $3,900 will be used to purchase mobile Command Centre provides a headquarters to FNMI-focused books that will be incorporated into coordinate tactical search activities. A grant of $4,800 classroom content. will assist with the installation of a generator system to ensure that the centre has power. A grant of $2,000 will be put to good use by the Magrath Public Library with the purchase two new Mental Health First Aid is an initiative of Lethbridge vacuums and six new portable tables, to support the College to enable staff members to recognize the many events that take place there. symptoms of student mental stress. A $6,000 grant will assist with a train the trainer initiative. The Milk River Municipal Library will purchase new computers, a switch and router with a grant of $4,000. This will ensure that they stay connected to the Chinook Arch Regional Library System headquarters.

Porcupine Hills - Livingstone Range Photo by June Flanagan

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Pretty prairie crocus blossoms welcome the arrival of spring. Photo by June Flanagan

With a grant of $5,000 an ultrasonic instrument cleaning machine will be purchased by R. I. Baker Middle School. This will greatly reduce annual cleaning costs and will be available for use by other schools. The Raymond Seniors Club is used for community events an average of twice per week and serves 130 members. With a grant of $3,600 the buildings two hot water tanks and thermostat controls will be replaced. A grant of $2,250 will be used for an innovative project at Senator Buchanan Elementary School. The grant will be used to purchase standing work stations for the grades 1 to 5 classrooms. The stations will be used by students who are challenged to sit still due to a range of developmental disorders. The Society of Barnwell Parents for Quality Education has been working hard for three years to upgrade the Barnwell School Playground. A grant of $5,000 will help to add new inclusive structures and improve the safety of existing pieces.

Community Impact Grants continued . . . A new phone system will be purchased with a grant of $1,700 by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Lethbridge Chapter. The new system will allow for webinar training, teleconferencing and VOIP capabilities to assist the chapter in serving their southwestern Alberta clients.

With Nanton hosting the Canadian Junior and High School Rodeo Finals in July, the Nanton Ag Society plans to use a grant of $10,000 to build a new warm-up area. A digital display will be built in front of the Southern This event will host over 300 youth from the four Alberta Art Gallery with the assistance of a grant of western provinces. $6,000. The new sign will help to promote the many programs and events held at the SAAG. Nicholas Sheran Community School plans to replace the old wooden playground with a new structure to be The Southern Alberta Self-Help Association supports used by elementary students. A $5,000 grant will allow the independence of adults with mental illness through more children to use it at one time, including children transitional and long-term housing. A grant of $10,075 with special needs. will repair the veranda on one of the group homes. An inclusive and age-appropriate playground will be built at Noble Central School with the assistance of a $5,000 grant. This new structure will replace the outdated and unsafe playground for elementary students. A grant of $3,000 will allow Park Meadows Elementary School to purchase new chairs for their many school events. They will replace old wooden chairs that are becoming unusable. The Community Centre Hall is the largest building in Pincher Creek and is in use an average of 40 weekends per year. With a grant of $5,000 the Pincher Creek Community Centre Hall Society will upgrade the washroom facilities to ensure many more years of service. Owning its own building contributes to the sustainability of the St. John Ambulance service in Lethbridge and region. A grant of $5,000 will replace the buildings outdated electrical system and enable the organization to continue to provide first aid training to over 4,000 people each year. A grant of $4,855 will help Taber Christian School to expand its supply of instruments. The instruments will support the compulsory band program for grades 6 to 9 and also be used for the extra-curricular band program. The Kinsmen Playground in the Town of Milk River will be completed with a grant of $4,900. A new swing set will be added to the other existing play stations, completing the playground used by many children who visit it on a regular basis.

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The Town of Vulcan will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2014. A grant of $5,000 will help celebrate this milestone through the addition of a solar structure. The power generated from the structure will be used for the lights on the Starship Enterprise and the community announcement board.

Warner Hockey School is an innovative program that requires tremendous volunteer commitment each year to ensure that the school will remain the community. A $5,000 grant will help to purchase helmets and gloves for this high-caliber girls hockey program.

An extensive outdoor program is offered by Winston A grant of $3,000 will be used by the Village of Coutts Churchill High School and the school currently shares to replace one of the four water cannons at the Coutts one set of cross country skis with two other schools. A Spray Park. The park is used on a daily basis by local grant of $5,000 will purchase a new set. youth throughout the summer.

Bringing music back to the heart of the community

Thanks to our many donors, the Community Foundation is able to continue strengthening and supporting communities throughout southwestern Alberta. We understand the vital role that community halls and similar gathering spaces play in maintaining the social fabric of our rural communities.
In every rural community, there is at 72 members who volunteer their time to least one well-known gathering place. In maintaining and running the facility, Enchant, its the Community Hall. Dorchak explains. This building wouldnt exist without the dedication of For over one hundred years, residents our members. All the work is done by have invested time and money to keep them. the hall at the heart of the community. However, while renovations to the hall The Hall plays a vital role in the in 1989 expanded it to accommodate community, and over the years, the larger events, they also unfortunately demands to use the facility have created a problem that left many increased. To make events more community members a little comfortable for everyones ears, it was disenchanted. determined that the ceiling needed to be upgraded. With the help of the The sound in the Hall was very lively, community, and a grant from the says Gwen Dorchak, President of the Community Foundation, the new ceiling Enchant Community Association. A was installed. gathering of 100 people sounded like 1,000. With a larger group in the Hall, it To celebrate their new ceiling and to was difficult to carry on a conversation open the door to new possibilities for and we certainly couldnt use a sound the Community Hall, residents enjoyed system or play music. an Enchanted Acoustic Evening Talent Night. Talented local musicians and The Enchant Community Hall has hosted dancers delighted the audience and the countless events throughout its history, sweet sounds experienced were music to from weddings and funerals to family everyones ears. reunions and fitness classes. There are
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Taking the pulse of our community.

Board Members Dianne King

President (Lethbridge)

What is Vital Signs? Its a national program sponsored by the Community Foundations of Canada that measures the quality of life in Canadian communities. The program focuses on gathering and publishing data on significant social and economic trends, also known as issue areas. The Foundation is looking forward to undertaking Vital Signs in 2013 with the financial assistance of the Alberta Community Spirit program that provides matching funds for donations. The 2013 initiative will concentrate on issue areas that are particularly relevant to the communities of southwestern Alberta, as well as the programs of the Foundation. Vital Signs will be launched nationally on October 1 and will be reported on at the Friends of the Foundation Dinner on October 3. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 403-328-5297.

Dennis Hatt
Vice-President (Lethbridge)

Reta Berte
Second VP (Lethbridge)

Kevin Keith
Treasurer (Lethbridge)

Lorne Armstrong
Director (Lethbridge)

Jason Comin
Director (Cardston)

Cliff Elle
Director (Pincher Creek)

Larry Helland
Director (Lomond)

Corrine Klassen
Director (Coaldale)

Thank you to our 2012 contributors:

Anonymous (4) Clarence and Johanna Arnoldussen Lottie Austin Maxiene Bodgener Ludvik L. Pahulje and Jehan Cassis Barbara Cavers Cereal Research - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Barry Sawada and Lynn Code Harry and Mildred Cox Joyce Dunlop Cliff Elle James Enman Gas King Oil Company Carol Godlonton George Hall and Maggie Macdonald John and Barbara Harmer Vaughan and Marilyn Hembroff Eric and Barbara Hillman David and Shirley Hughes Lynden and Phyllis Hutchinson Ron A. and Mariette Jacobson Albert A. and Veronica Kenwood Kevin and Trish Kindley Ian and Mary Ann Kinnell Corrine Klassen Kiwanis Club of Green Acres Kiwanis Club of Lethbridge Trust Wayne and Hazel Krywolt T. Frank Lightbound George and Shannon Lomas Alastair and Dale MacLean Martin Bros. Funeral Chapels and Cremation Services Bruce and Margaret McKillop Thomas and Lou McNab Walter Montina New West Theatre Stan and Grace Noreika Philip and Freda North Nellie Parsons Provincial Court of Alberta Colleen Proudfoot Sharee Proudfoot Dick and Mary Quon Keith and Jean Robin Ed Sinnott John B. Stillwell Doug and Diana Stokes Wayne and Erika Street Blaine Thacker Maxwell and Marjorie Ward Phil Washburn Estate of Ida Wiens Megan Yanosik Page 8

Birthe Perry
Director (Coaldale)

Murray Pritchard
Director (Lethbridge)

Wayne Street
Director (Coaldale)

Gwen Van Raalte

Director (Lethbridge)

Deborah Wescott
Director (Lethbridge)

Staff George Hall

Executive Director

Joey Bosch
Communications Coordinator 404 - 8 Street South Lethbridge, AB T1J 2J7 Phone: 403-328-5297 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cflsa.ca