Baker Creek Enhancement

$10,000.00

West Frasier Timber Park Wetland Boardwalk

Our second Grant was to Baker Creek Enhancement Society, only the third time we have awarded $10,000 to a single project.

Later this summer, the Society will be installing wetland boardwalks to extend the walking trails at West Fraser Timber Park.

On behalf of BCES, Lorna Schley accepted the award from our Grants chair Bruce Broughton

Quesnel Skyfest Society

$10,000.00

Portable Fencing Purchase

In case you hadn’t heard…SkyFest is being held over the coming August holiday weekend

The Foundation awarded a Grant of $10,000 to enable the purchase of portable fencing to be used by Quesnel Skyfest Society this year and for years to come.

Make sure you have your tickets for the weekend by going to quesnelskyfest.ca - of course, we don’t expect you to be looking at the fencing

Quesnel Elks #298

$6,700.00

Exterior Doors Replacement

Quesnel Elks #298 operates its Lodge on Anderson Drive for a number of community events – meetings, fundraisers, wedding receptions, birthdays, and anniversary parties.

Replacing their exterior doors had become a priority, hence a Grant award of $6,700 being made to enable project completion.

For the Foundation, new Grants Committee member Caroline Mitchell presented the award to Elks member Crystal Brekke.

Quesnel Motorcross

$6,000.00

Sound System Purchase

BRRRRRAAAPPPPP!

That’s not the only sound you will be hearing this summer at the Quesnel Motocross track.

You will also hear announcements and commentary coming through a great new sound system, funded in part by our Grant award of $6,000.

Back Country Horsemen

$5,000.00

Cottonwood Camp

We are thrilled to support two events marking Canada’s 150th anniversary, the first of which is the “Canada 150 Celebration” being hosted this coming long weekend by the North Cariboo Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen at Cottonwood House.

A grant of $5,000 has been made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, a collaboration between Quesnel Community Foundation and the Government of Canada.

The 3-day Celebration has something for everyone to mark the significance of the horse in our history – the fun starts on Friday.

Cariboo Ski Touring Club

$5,000.00

Hallis Lake Equipment

Our third Grant went to Cariboo Ski Touring Club, $5,000 to invest in equipment upgrades for the wonderful facilities at Hallis Lake.

The upgrades will enhance the Club’s ability to host regional and provincial competitive events such as the Biathlon BC Cup, as well as the developmental opportunities for local athletes.

Grants Committee member Dan Canuel presented the award to Marilyn Van Leusden, Grant Application & Admin Director for CSTC

Lightning Creek Ski Club

$5,000.00

Calub Cabin Extension

For over 40 years now, Lightning Creek Ski Club has been coordinating competitive downhill skiing events for North Cariboo youth.

More events means more race equipment, and the need to properly store it all.

Our fifth Grant, of $5,000, will help the Club build an extension its clubhouse specifically for the purpose

Quesnel & District Community Arts Council

$5,000.00

Oh Canada, We Sing for Thee

We are thrilled to be supporting two events marking Canada’s 150th anniversary, the second of which is “Oh Canada We Sing For Thee”, a community concert celebrating well known Canadian artists, singers, songwriters and musicians, hosted by Quesnel & District Community Arts Council on September 18th.

A grant of $5,000 has been made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, a collaboration between Quesnel Community Foundation and the Government of Canada.

Check with Quesnel Live Arts for tickets…and if you are able to attend, make sure you get your red on!

Quesnel Outback Riders

$5,000.00

Deacon Creek Trail System

Quesnel Outback Quadders has only been an organized society for a little over a year but already boasts a membership of well over 100 members

This summer, many of those members will be working on the Deacon Creek trail, thanks in part to our Grant award of $5,000.

Lisa Battram, Foundation Director, Gala Committee chair, and Grants Committee member, presented the award to Quadders Vice-President Jack President

Old Age Pensioners Organization

$4,300.00

Lighting Upgrade

The Golden Centre on Front Street has been a core operational activity of the Old Age Pensioners Organization for a number of years.

Our Grant award of $4,300 enabled the upgrade of the Centre’s lighting system from old-style CFL’s to modern-day LED’s – better on the eyesight as well as the monthly power bills.

For OAPO, Sally Service accepted the award from long-serving Grants Committee member and Foundation donor, Peter Walsh.

Quesnel & District

$2,350.00

Small Bowls Purchase

Lawn bowling is an activity for all ages, and that’s why Quesnel & District Lawn Bowling wanted to invest in bowls for smaller hands.

With the season just about to get under way, you could make plans for your family to give lawn bowling a try this year, perhaps using the small bowls acquired as a result of our Grant award of $2,350

Back Country Horsemen

$2,240.00

Telegraph Trail Brush-Cutting

The first of 18 projects we have been able to support this year is the clean-up of the Telegraph Trail by the North Cariboo Chapter of Back Country Horsemen.

A grant of $2,240 was supported by a first-ever award from the Holger Bauer Memorial Fund, and it was fitting that Jeff Dinsdale was able to remind us of Holger’s love of the outdoors at our Grant Awards Reception

Presenting the grant was Mary Sjostrom, now serving her first term as President of the Foundation

Special Olympics Quesnel

$1,200.00

Floor Hockey Uniforms

Quesnel Special Olympics athletes make us proud every time

they compete in the name of “Quesnel”, so we were pleased to accept the opportunity to award $1,000 to help purchase floor hockey uniforms.

For Special Olympics, Ellen Martz accepted the award from now-retired Foundation Director Margot Gagne.

Jam Camp North

$1,000.00

Musical Instruments Purchase

Jam Camp North provides an intensive opportunity to try, explore, and perform with a variety of musical instruments while taught by musicians of a very high calibre.

After a successful inaugural event last year, the organizers saw the benefit of owning instruments to reduce the need to borrow and share, so we were happy to award $1,000, our fourth Grant, to help support the development of budding local musicians.

New Life Church

$1,000.00

Community Kitchen Upgrade

New Life Church hosts a variety of community events every year, many of them during the sunny months, and most of them involving the need to cater to a number of hungry participants.

A Grant of $1,000 was awarded to help with the cost of kitchen appliance upgrades.

Pastor Brian Dean is pictured accepting our award from Foundation donor, past Director, and long-serving Grants Committee member, Lorna Townsend.

North Cariboo Aboriginal Family Program Society

$1,000.00

Youth Centre Sports Equipment

Quesnel has missed having a youth centre, so North Cariboo Aboriginal Family Program Society (also known as “Longname”) decided to address the need by opening a youth centre in the oldÉcole Baker School premises.

To help with providing youth with activities, the Foundation awarded a Grant of $1,000 to allow NCAFPS purchase indoor sports equipment.

St John's Community Hall

$1,000.00

Kitchen Upgrade

Our final award, alphabetically, for 2017 was to St John’s Community Hall - $1,000 to help with the purchase of new kitchen appliances.

Nadine Kirby accepted the award on behalf of St John’s, presented by Bob Lebeck, Foundation donor, past President, and long-time Grants Committee member

Quesnel & District Community Arts Council

$880.00

Photocopier Purchase

A Grant of $880 has enabled Quesnel & District Community Arts Council purchase a new photocopier and toner to support the reproduction of print materials related to their many and varied events, including “Oh Canada, we Sing For Thee” (see below).

We were delighted to have long-time Foundation donor Olive Walsh present the award to Arts Council President Colleen Brines.

Quesnel Curling Club

$10,000.00

Dehumidifier Replacement Project

This is our first-ever $10,000 award, and to present, we have our first-ever President, Brian Rankin, right.

Receiving for Quesnel Curling Club is Blair Hedden

Quesnel Partnership for Student Nutrition

$10,000.00

Equipment Replacement for their school Breakfast Programs

Presenting our second-ever $10,000 award is another member of our founding Steering Committee, and our second-ever President, Bob Norman.

Receiving for the Partnership is Christy Kennedy.

Quesnel Youth Soccer Association

$6,000.00

Handicap Accessibility improvements

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the indoor facility.

Presenting our final award for 2016, on behalf of the Dan Alexander Memorial Fund, is Sue Alexander

Receiving for QYSA are Gilbert Schotel and Shannon Wilwand

Alex Fraser Park Society

$5,000.00

Livestock Pen Shelter

Our first award went to Alex Fraser Park Society - $5,000 for the purchase of a livestock pen shelter.

On behalf of Sustaining Partner Go-Fer Contracting & Disposal, presenting the award is Dwayne Sales, right.

Receiving for Alex Fraser Park Society is Greg Brink.

Quesnel SPCA

$5,000.00

Revenue-Generating Recycling Program

On behalf of Sustaining Partner, Quesnel-Cariboo Observer is Karen Powell, left.

Receiving for the SPCA is Colby O’Flynn.

Island Mountain Arts

$4,000.00

Restoration of their storage facilities

Presenting the award is local artist and past Foundation Director Ellen Facey; receiving for Island Mountain Arts is Josh Trotter-Wanner

Quesnel Search and Rescue Society

$3,500.00

Purchase new GPS units

Presenting the award is long-time Foundation supporter Joan Warden (husband Phil was unable to attend).

Receiving for Search and Rescue is Bob Zimmerman.

Quesnel Technics Gymnastics Club

$3,400.00

New Competition Crank Beam

On behalf of Sustaining Partner West Park Dental is Branko Cervienka.

Receiving for club are Elizabeth Floyd, left, and Marlene Higgins.

Baker Creek Gymkhana Club

$3,000.00

Repairs to their Gymkhana grounds.

Representing the Walsh Family Fund, this award was presented by long-serving Grants Committee member Peter Walsh, right.

Receiving for Baker Creek Gymkhana is Roy Juliusson.

Lightning Creek Ski Club

$2,500.00

Expansion of their Alpine Program.

Lightning Creek Ski Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Presenting the award is Dan Canuel, soon-to-be-retiring Foundation Director and long-serving Grants Committee member.

With most of the board members of LCSC attending an out-of-town race meeting, Dwayne Sales accepted the award on their behalf.

Gavin Lake Forest Education Society

$2,000.00

Bouldering cave climbing wall

Due to family illness, Camp Manager Mike Tudor had to cancel at the last minute, so receiving on behalf of Gavin Lake is Matt Ketchum, new member of our Grants Committee who will be their ongoing Foundation liaison

Presenting the award is our Grants chair and President, Bob Lebeck, right.

Old Age Pensioners Organization, Branch 77

$2,000.00

Purchase of a sliding door commercial refrigerator

Presenting the award is Sheri Coles, left, our other soon-to-be-retiring Foundation Director and long-serving Grants Committee member.

Receiving for the OAPO is Sally Service.

Q City Singers

$1,500.00

Purchase of a piano

Presenting the award is Mary Sjostrom, left, a member of our founding Steering Committee back in 2001 and a Foundation supporter ever since.

Receiving for Q City Singers is Ingrid Marshall.

Quesnel Barrel Racing Association

$1,500.00

Purchase an arena groomer

On behalf of Sustaining Partner Fraserview Pharmacy, presenting the award are Wayne and Helen Boudreau.

Receiving for Quesnel Barrel Racers is Lori Carifelle

Cariboo Hoofbeats Assisted Activity Program Society (CHAAPS)

$1,200.00

Coloured bending poles and bases.

Presenting the award is Foundation supporter and former coordinator Cathy Briggs; accepting on behalf of CHAAPS is Nancy Last, left.