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Our president Donna and secretary Michelle are just back from a most exhilarating trip to Ottawa where they attended the Community Foundations of Canada National conference. The theme of the 2017 national Community Foundations of Canada conference was "Belong" and the topics of being an inclusive society, welcoming to immigrants, and dealing with the reconciliation process for indigenous people were front and centre of many of the sessions and speeches. Over 700 people attended and there were many international delegates from community foundations in 34 other countries. Our Governor General, David Johnston, is a wonderful speaker and gave the opening address encouraging all to build a smart and caring society. He stated that right across Canada, having a foundation in a community helps to create a healthy community. Panel discussions were held on diversity in our society, the plight of migrant workers and minority groups, and a most inspiring speech by Natan Obed who is the National Inuit Leader. He is an amazing young man and someone to watch in years to come. John Ralston Saul was one of the speakers and Donna M was pleased to have a picture taken with him and speak to him about his years living on the former air base. There were also four time slots when we were able to choose from a variety of smaller sessions on various topics. I attended one session on Youth in Philanthropy programs which our foundation is helping to establish at Rivers Collegiate. Another focused on the importance of conducting a "vital signs" survey or conversation to analyze how the foundation can grant funds most effectively in a community. The best part of these smaller sessions was hearing ideas from many other members of community foundations and hearing their success stories. An evening reception with musical entertainment was held at the Museum of History in Gattineau; a wonderful setting to showcase Canadian culture.
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Foundation Grants New Costumes to Razzamatazz Cance Club Razzamatazz Dance Club (RDC) has been a consistent activity for the youth of Rivers and area for more than 25 years; we are a non-profit group run by parent volunteers. We use fundraising to keep our costs low and to be able to offer learning opportunities for our students, who are given the opportunity to participate in Brandon and/or the Rolling River Festival of the Arts. Students are also given the option to take dance exams and do solos, duets or trios. Our instructor, Miss Charlene, has been with the club for more than 20 years. She has been a loyal and committed teacher for our students over the years. She is trained in Al Gilbert tap, jazz and ballet, ADAPT, RAD ballet, zumba and continues to learn new things to bring to our students. Our classes run from September through to the recital in April. We offer classes for girls and boys ages three and up, in a variety of styles; new this year we offered a parent and tot class for ages 18 months to three years. Classes take place Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in our brand new home — downstairs of Riverdale Community Centre. We also have classes on Sundays when we have to make up missed classes or need time to prepare for festivals or exams. We offer classes in several different styles of dance. For the three- to nine-year-olds we offer combo classes — an opportunity to try different styles to get a better understanding of what the styles are and which they like. We start with a half-hour class for three- and four-year-olds, to expose them to tap, ballet and creative movement. When they get older (five plus) we start to lengthen the class and add jazz. Once they reach nine years of age, they have the option of separate classes. At this age we offer tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop. Lyrical jazz becomes an option for dancers who are ready and are taking jazz and ballet classes. Pointe is offered for experienced ballet students who are ready and are taking two regular ballet classes per week. We will gladly offer all-boy classes in any discipline or combo class, if we have enough boys to justify running a separate class. Currently we have 74 dancers of which five are male. These dancers come from 53 families, most of which were present at our three-hour recital held this past Sunday, April 30. There were 49 dances included in this recital, each showcasing our students beautifully costumed, thanks in part to a generous donation from Rivers & Area Community Foundation (RACF). The majority of our costumes are supplied by RDC but we are extremely grateful to receive this grant from RACF specifically earmarked for new costumes. Crystal Bourdin and Miss Charlene are to be congratulated for their efforts in making or purchasing matching costumes for our dancers.
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Congratulations to one of our strategic projects, the Rivers Wetlands Centre of Excellence on winning their second National Award in two years! The Environmental Education & Communication Award (EECOM) under the category of Outstanding K-12 Class. Great work RCI and partners, you make us very proud. You can learn more about their work at www.riverswetland.org
Photos from Rivers and Area Community Foundation's post
Library thanks Community Foundation for Grant. For the past couple of years Prairie Crocus Library has been focused on basic interior improvements. Although a couple of major projects are needed within the building including painting and new flooring, we have come up with smaller projects that have been attainable with financial help from the Rivers and Area Community Foundation, our own fundraising efforts, and some donated funds. Two benches with coat hooks were purchased for the entrance that we hope will encourage patrons to remove wet or dirty shoes before entering the library. A new book shelf was also purchased for this area that holds several books for sale by donation. A small change but definitely makes our entrance more welcoming. From the RACF grant we received in 2015 window coverings were replaced within the building – the front entrance, the board room/craft room, the Children’s area, and upper level Archival room. The new coverings have been great, especially in the Children’s area which presents the space as cheerful and fun, the kids love it and so do we! Many patrons have had positive comments as well which is great to hear; again just a small change but what a difference it makes. In 2016 we received a grant from the RACF used to improve the interior of the Board Room/craft room. This is the only private room within the library that is available for public use, realistically it is our “multi-purpose” room. We have been struggling with storage space after the conversion of the upper level storage room to the Archival Room in 2014, and the construction of the new main floor washroom using the space of two small storage rooms. We have been using a couple of open-shelved units to store craft items and such, but when the room is used for other purposes other than crafts, it really makes the room look messy and unorganized. Presently our “multi-purpose” room serves as a space for preschool children to do crafts or special projects when they are incorporated with story time held every Friday. Prairie Crocus Library Board meetings are held here as well as other organizations who are in need of a meeting place. Arts West Travelling Gallery is displayed in this room annually, and fundraising events such as our annual Christmas bake sale are set up here. Our plan for this room originally included two storage cabinets and a new desk area, but as funds did not allow we opted for plan B. In order to brighten up the room, old lattice pieces that hung from the ceiling were taken down and the walls painted a fresh new color. One large custom made storage unit with doors was installed at one end of the room which holds all the craft items once stored on the open shelves in the room. We are very pleased with the renovations in this room and now can present this space as a clean, modernized and organized room for the public’s use as best as we can.
Photos from Rivers and Area Community Foundation's post
Legion Auxiliary puts Foundation grant to good use. The Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #75 in Rivers received its Charter in May 1946 and last year celebrated 70 years of service in this community. Auxiliary members are committed to helping our Veterans, Branch, and Community. They also provide both financial and service support to keep the Legion building well maintained. Over the years, the auxiliary has financially supported RCL Branch #75 in projects such as painting, roof repairs, air conditioning, washroom renovations, 2 new furnaces, tables, chairs, kitchen flooring, cooler repairs, the new Bingo board, and cenotaph maintenance. The latest project was the upgrading of cupboards and counters in the upstairs canteen area. This was made possible, in part, by a $1500 grant received from The Rivers and Area Community Foundation in 2016. The remainder of the cost was provided by the Auxiliary who raised monies through various activities that were well supported by the community. This canteen was once used as a full kitchen but is now mainly used to dispense snacks and beverages during Legion Bingo, socials, and other special events. The Auxiliary continues to support the Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary Provincial Scholarship Fund and the Legion Athletic Camp Scholarships to the Peace Gardens. It also provides scholarships to the Rivers Collegiate Institute, runs a weekly bingo program at PCH, delivers Meals on Wheels, donates to many local charities in the Rivers area, donates to Star Burst at Deer Lodge Hospital, Rolling River Festival of the Arts, and has five adopted veterans within Rivers, who receive various gifts and visits throughout the year. How are these funds raised? It is the work of many hands that make meals, sandwiches, cookies, squares, coffee and beverages and cater to funeral luncheons, anniversaries, Remembrance Day teas, or meetings. We work the canteen at the weekly Legion Bingo and also rent out our kitchen for special events. Flowers planted annually at the cenotaph to show honour and respect to the war dead, are done so by Auxiliary members. In recent years these flower beds have been improved through grants and funding procured by the Auxiliary. 700 tulips were planted in the fall of 2015 as part of the Friendship Garden program. When they bloomed in the spring of 2016 a surprise was revealed. Hopefully there will be an additional surprise to recognize Canada’s 150th Birthday. We are always happy to welcome new members. As stated in the manual of regulations and bylaws governing Ladies Auxiliaries of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Command, “Membership is open to a woman (i) Who is of good character. (ii) Who has reached the age of 18 and is eligible to be a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. (Canadian citizen)” Our meetings are generally held on the first Monday of each month in the upper Legion hall. If you are interested in joining our great group of dedicated women, please contact Marlene at 328-7096 or Donna at 729-7203. The Auxiliary is most grateful to the Rivers and Area Community Foundation for the financial support that made the purchase of the new cupboards and counters a reality. Thank you to the Foundation and the people of Riverdale Municipality who continue to support us in our service to the community.
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The Rivers Skating Club is making very good use of the $1500 grant received from The Rivers and Area Community Foundation in 2016. Rivers Skating Club (formerly Learn to Skate) was formed in 2011 to offer skating instruction to children and youth in Rivers. In 2015, the club joined the country-wide Skate Canada organization, in order to offer a higher level of instruction to the children participating in the program. Rivers Skating Club now offers a diverse range of programs including CanSkate (learn to skate program), Star Skate (figure skating program), Synchro Skating (synchronized skating) and Power Skating. The first three programs mentioned run every Thursday from 4:00-6:15pm at the Riverdale Community Centre. Power Skating ran before Christmas on Sundays from 12-1pm but is wrapped up now for the season. This year the Rivers Skating Club has 61 skaters registered in its programs. The club is led by a volunteer Board of Directors, two Skate Canada instructors from Brandon, Tyler and Larissa Luptak, as well as many on-ice parent and student volunteers. Our goal as an organization is to provide fun, safe, and certified skating instruction to the children participating in our program. We are so thankful to the Rivers & Area Community Foundation for the grant they provided to the club in 2016, to help with the cost of badges, ribbons, and instruction. Skate Canada has specific guidelines for badges and ribbons that are used at every skating club across Canada. Can Skate has 6 levels that each culminate in a badge upon successful completion. Within each level are 3 ribbons which represent Balance, Control, and Agility. Power Skating and Star Skate programs also require badges for each level that is completed. With the help of the Rivers & Area Community Foundation, we are able to offer this great program locally in Rivers at an affordable cost to parents. Another way we are trying to reduce the cost to parents is by fundraising. This year we are selling Reusable Snack Bags in 3 different sizes and many colourful designs. The company producing the bags is called Colibri Canada and is based out of St. Adolphe, MB. The large bags sell for $9 and the two smaller sizes are $8 each. If anyone is interested in ordering these bags please contact Megan Vandal at 328-5363 or see anyone with a skater in the program before February 28. Rivers Skating Club is so proud to watch all of our skaters as they learn to improve their skating skills each and every week. This year in March, the synchro team, known as The Rivers Silver Jets, will be participating in their first competition in Dauphin. We invite everyone to come out to see our skaters show their skills as we present our Ice Show on Thursday, March 23, at Riverdale Community Centre.
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This fall Rivers Minor Hockey was the lucky recipient of a $1000 grant from Rivers & Area Community Foundation. This money was used to purchase a set of jerseys for Rivers Minor Hockey's first ever all girls atom team. The 2016/2017 season is a big one for RMH, we had just over 100 players aged 5-18 register giving us 2 squirts, 2 novice, 2 atom, 1 peewee, 1 bantam and 1 midget team. Each team has 2 ice times per week at the Riverdale Community Centre, game schedules can be found on the Rivers Jets website www.riversjets.com or the Riverdale Community Centre arena calendar www.riversrink.ca. The goals of our association are to provide a fun and respectful atmosphere for our players. We promote teamwork, sportsmanship, respect and competition within a safe environment in addition to a healthy lifestyle. RACF grants have helped RMH purchase uniforms for many of our teams over the years, the new uniforms look great and the kids have never been more proud to represent their team and community when they step on the ice wearing them. THANK YOU to the Rivers & Area Community Foundation from the Rivers Jets!
ADAMA - Thank A Retailer
HAPPY NEW YEAR !! www.thankaretailer.ca We have an exciting opportunity to help our community raise $15,000 through social media, ADAMA, Redfern Farm Services, and Rivers and Area Community Foundation. If the Rivers/Redfern's entry were to win the Manitoba grand prize, $15,000 would go to Rivers and Area Community Foundation for perpetual contributions to our many community projects. So...to help us help you, vote each and every day for the Redfern entry. Encourage your friends and neighbours to vote for your retailer by sharing the link below: http://www.thankaretailer.ca/vote/details/redfern-farm-services1
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Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas and wonderful wishes for 2017 from the Board of Directors at the Rivers and Area Community Foundation. Front row L-R; Ian Dyer vice chairman, Michelle McFadden secretary, Craig Allison treasurer, Donna Morken chairman Back row L-R; Directors Al Morken, Brian Carlisle, Diane Marriott, Donna Falkevitch, Wayne Wareham, and Peter Mellings. Missing- Directors Harry Airey and Stacy Stott
Photos from Rivers and Area Community Foundation's post
We are very proud to announce that one of our strategic community projects, the Rivers Wetlands Centre of Excellence, has been awarded the Conservation District Award for 2016 from Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District and Manitoba Conservation Districts Association. In June the Rivers Wetlands Centre of Excellence was chosen by the Canadian Wildlife Federation to be this year's recipient of the "2016 Youth Conservation Award". This National award recognizes the contribution of youth groups to wildlife or habitat conservation projects. To learn more about this project visit http://riverswetland.org
Photos from Rivers and Area Community Foundation's post
Clack Family Heritage Museum is the first 2016 grant recipient to be featured in our publicity series. Last month The Clack Family Heritage Museum received a grant from the Rivers and Area Community Foundation in the amount of $1250 to be used towards restoration of the buildings. Combined with a grant of $1000 from RACF in 2015 and a grant from the Brandon Community Foundation, there has been much progress on the original buildings that house the collection. "Clack brothers Doug, Tim, and Fred lived and farmed in the Blanchard Municipality for many years. They all had a great interest in collecting antiques. In 1983 the first steel shed (30’ X 60’) was constructed. It has grown over the years to a total of 20 museum buildings. In 1996 Tim, who was the only living brother, felt that he needed some help so he turned over their collection to Clack Family Heritage Museum Foundation. Tim remained as chairman of the board until his death in 2014. Today we are a volunteer board of twelve members. In 2014 the board made a decision that, in order to keep all of the buildings open, a maintenance plan needed to be put into place. The floors and some of the walls in the six themed rooms were in bad shape. Our plan was to try to repair one building each year. With the support of the RACF we have four of the buildings sporting new floors and a fresh coat of paint. We have had a lot of great remarks about the improvements that have been made at the museum, and we are always happy to share that it was all made possible through grants received from the Rivers and Area Community Foundation as well as the Brandon Area Community Foundation." submitted by Marg Burt
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Here is a photo of the Board of Directors in 2014 . Front row l-r Diane Marriott, Donna Morken, Michelle McFadden Back row l-r Donna Falkevitch, Sarah McLeod, Craig Allison, Ian Dyer, Harry Airey, Peter Mellings, Brian Carlisle, Al Morken missing Wayne Wareham. Remember that the 2016 Annual General Meeting will be held at Lee's Restaurant Wednesday, December 7th at 6 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. Come on out and learn more about "your" Community Foundation.
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