Whistler Public Library will be a haven from the cold for young readers, thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.
The foundation announced the grant, the largest in its latest disbursement, will go towards furniture and equipment for the new children’s program room.
"(The grant) will allow staff to create innovative programs for children during inclement weather and provide an alternative to the more active opportunities that Whistler has to offer," the foundation said in a press release.
A further $125,000 was distributed amongst Brackendale Elementary School toward playground equipment, the Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of B.C., and the Whistler Skateboard Association for skate park upgrading and maintenance. Whistler Secondary School’s outdoor recreational leadership program and 1 st Whistler Scouts also received funding.
"Our mandate is to provide support to lasting community projects with an emphasis on those that benefit children, youth and families in the Sea to Sky corridor. The foundation’s board of directors feel these grants will achieve that goal and greatly enhance our communities," said Foundation President, Dave Brownlie.
Other organizations to receive funding included:
• Xit’olacw Community School - to support their JUMP and Numeracy programs and to help support their hot breakfast and lunch program;
• Whistler Kidsport - to support children who have limited access to group sports because of financial restrictions;
• Whistler Blackcomb Environmental Fund - Employee donations are matched by the foundation on an annual basis to help support environmental projects in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Over $100,000 in total grants have been awarded through the Environmental Fund since its inception in 2001
• Squamish Food Bank Society - food supplies;
• Canadian Cancer Society - for a local child to attend the Camp Goodtimes program for children with cancer, aged 6-16;
• Squamish Crimestoppers Society — to support the Crimestoppers Program benefiting the communities of Squamish, Pemberton & Whistler;
• BC Lions Society - to support the Easter Seal Camp in Squamish;
• BC Children’s Hospital - a donation of $2,000 was pledged to the Whistler Blackcomb employee’s Slo-Pitch Softball team to help purchase equipment and for other urgent care needs
• Youth Centre & LUNA - equipment to enhance their youth programs
• Whistler Secondary School - $1000 for the Peter Xhignesse Memorial Fund Scholarship
• Pemberton Secondary School - $1000 for the Peter Xhignesse Memorial Fund Scholarship
