MEDIA RELEASE
Date August 19, 2022
$11,800 OTF Grant Gives Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County The Tools to Get Kids moving again in the aftermath of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Smiths Falls, – In August of 2021, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County received a $11,800 Community Building Fund – Operating Stream grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to get kids moving again! Participants in our programs and waitlisted children received free sports equipment to a value of $5000 and free instructor led classes throughout the county for the remainder of the grant, to get physical and connected to their community again after months of isolation. The project was completed on August 19, 2022 and will give kids in the county long term tools (basket balls, soccer balls, yoga mats and the like) to keep moving for the long term while inspiring kids to test out physical activities that they may want to integrate into their lives (yoga and meditation, baseball, real obstacle courses in local gyms, private small group personal training sessions and more). This project was twofold. BBBSLC felt it was important to not only inspire kids to move, but to provide much needed contracts to local, certified instructors who have suffered great financial setbacks during the lock downs of the global pandemic.
MPP John Jordan commented, “Any time we provide our Youth with programs and opportunities for growth it’s a win for everyone. Whether in a team environment or engaging in individual pursuits in sports and the arts – these are invaluable tools for our kids to move toward a healthier future – and that’s money well spent!”
This investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation is great news for many in our community, as BBBSLC has provided renewed exposure and commitment to the value of physical and mental health as they relate to sports and mindful movement.
BBBSLC is a mentoring organization that creates individual and group mentoring relationships. Serving all of Lanark County Children and Youth, delivering programs that build important relationships so that kids in our county, no matter their financial or social standing, know that someone has their back. Through; in-school one on one mentoring, self-esteem and sports programs, traditional community matches, scholarship/ bursary programs and a drop in after school youth centre, BBBSLC specializes in building relationships, self-esteem and opportunities for children and youth to shine.
“The impact of this kind of Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is one that keeps on giving,” said Sandra Burelli, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County. “This grant allowed us to get kids motivated, equipped and learning new ways to feel good while leaving their screens behind and connecting with their community! We already know that physical activity improves mental, emotional and physical health in kids and that the rates of going on to higher education are much higher in physically active kids! This is more important than ever at a time like this in history.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:
Name, Title : Sandra Burelli, ED
Name of Organization : Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County
Phone : 613-283-0570
Email: Sandra.burelli@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca