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Dufferin Community Foundation Boosts Charities Aiding Locals

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Three charities will each receive $1,500 to help fund programs benefitting the people of Dufferin County, thanks to the contributions of Dufferin Community Foundation and several local business people.

On October 24, 2021, the Dufferin Community Foundation (DCF) announced the recipients of their 2021 Booster Grants. The DCF distributed $4,500 in funding to three registered charities to fund existing projects demonstrated to be successful with their clients and new initiatives that promote best practices in the field. The beneficiaries include Hospice Dufferin, Caledon Meals on Wheels, and Easter Seals. Local businesspeople sponsored the full amount of the Booster Grants program.

“We are grateful to Hospice Dufferin, Easter Seals and Caledon Meals on Wheels for the crucial support that they provide to families, children and individuals in Dufferin County,” said Gord Gallaugher, DCF’s President, in a press release. “Any boost that they get from these grants is multiplied many times over in terms of the impact on people’s lives.”

From left to right Monica Bond, Hometown Realty (grant sponsor); Jacelyn Alphonso, Hometown Realty (grant sponsor); Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation; Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation; Christine Sevigny, Executive Director, Caledon Meals on Wheels - Photo supplied by Dufferin Community Foundation
From left to right Monica Bond, Hometown Realty (grant sponsor); Jacelyn Alphonso, Hometown Realty (grant sponsor); Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation; Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation; Christine Sevigny, Executive Director, Caledon Meals on Wheels – Photo supplied by Dufferin Community Foundation

Caledon Meals on Wheels will be using the DCF Booster Grant to support its subsidized meal and grocery program that caters to seniors and people with disabilities located in Orangeville and other parts of Dufferin County. Hot meals, provided by the Lord Dufferin Centre, in addition to frozen prepared meals and groceries, are provided to clients at a partially or fully subsidized price. Although the entire booster grant will go towards the initiative mentioned above, Caledon Meals on Wheels also offers friendly visiting and wellness programs to the same clientele. Jacelyn Alphonso and Monica Bond of Hometown Realty sponsored the booster grant dispensed to Caledon Meals on Wheels.

From left to right Lara Gray, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones (grant sponsor); Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation; Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation; Susan Smith, Senior Manager of Provincial Development, Easter Seals Ontario - Photo supplied by Dufferin Community Foundation
From left to right Lara Gray, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones (grant sponsor); Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation; Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation; Susan Smith, Senior Manager of Provincial Development, Easter Seals Ontario – Photo supplied by Dufferin Community Foundation

The DCF Booster Grant awarded to Easter Seals will fund in-home equipment for local children and youth with physical impairments. Currently, twelve Dufferin County families with children and youth isolated and underserved due to COVID-19 restrictions have requested aid. The money will go towards equipment required for mobility and safety, to travel within their homes and communities, and social inclusion, such as ramps and lifts. The booster grant may also go towards tools to preserve dignity, including bath aides and commodes. In addition to the equipment funding that the booster grant supports, Easter Seals offers camping programs, scholarships, and other resources to those with physical disabilities. Edward Jones’ Lara Gray sponsored the booster grant issued to Easter Seals. 

From left to right Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation; Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation; Maureen Riedler, Executive Director, Hospice Dufferin - Photo supplied by Dufferin Community Foundation
From left to right Gord Gallaugher, President, Dufferin Community Foundation; Michele Fisher, Executive Director, Dufferin Community Foundation; Maureen Riedler, Executive Director, Hospice Dufferin – Photo supplied by Dufferin Community Foundation

Hospice Dufferin will allocate the DCF Booster Grant monies to support purchasing audio-visual equipment used to develop a series of online or DVD sessions for those experiencing bereavement. Specifically, the series will provide information and skills associated with the grieving process, in addition to coping strategies. This pilot project could be rolled out to twenty-four other hospices throughout the central region of Ontario and will allow Hospice Dufferin to serve its Bereavement 101 program to more clients, approximately 165 annually. The booster grant distributed to Hospice Dufferin was sponsored by Lisa Leblanc of Lismar Financial.

Beneficiaries applying for the Booster Grants had to show that the focus of their organization aligned with the DCF mandate and how well it fulfills their identified community needs. This includes Arts & Culture, Youth, Seniors, Economic Development, Healthy Living, and Human Services. Selection criteria included the organization’s broad geographic representation within Dufferin, following established best practices in using the funds, and having trained and active volunteers while collaborating with other charities and non-profits. 

The Dufferin Community Foundation bills itself as an organization that helps support local charitable work more sustainably, primarily through the pooling of money, in addition to the setting up and administration of endowed funds. Examples of funds under DCF management include the Dufferin Vision, Environment, and Mulmur Community funds. Investment income from the funds is distributed as grants for projects and services intended to provide long-term value to the community. In related news, the DCF recently hired Michele Fisher as its Executive Director to help the foundation work towards its goal of raising $10 million for the Dufferin community. Those interested in donating to an existing fund that benefits the local community, whether cash, securities, or other assets, can obtain details through the DCF’s website.

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