The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce over $85,000 in fall grants for local charities, including $34,000 targeted to youth recreation programs. In 2018, the Foundation has granted over $290,000 to island charities, with $130,000 assisting youth programs. These grants would not be possible without the support of our many generous donors, who share the Foundation’s vision of a healthy and caring community.

Beaver Point Community Hall

For fascia board, gutter and downspout installation for the hall, an important heritage building and gathering place.

Gulf Islands Marine Rescue Society

To purchase protective equipment for volunteers serving Station 25, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.

Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association

To support consulting engineer’s fees for a sustainable rainwater capture system that will be incorporated into an integrated water supply system for the Meadowlane Multi- Unit Residential Building for seniors.

Salt Spring Arts Council

For a new sound system for Mahon Hall. This system will enhance the hall’s capacity as a venue for arts-based events and provide sound production training for high school students.

To support the Home Words program, which will train social service workers to introduce self-reflective writing as a means of healing for their clients.

Salt Spring Island Historical Society

For technological upgrades to the Salt Spring Island Archives in order to safeguard the collection and provide better access for the community and researchers.

Salt Spring Island Historical Society/Central Hall Society

For recladding of Central Hall, built in 1896 and the oldest community hall on Salt

Spring. The hall houses the Fritz Theatre and is available for rent to community groups.

Salt Spring and Gulf Islands Community Services Society

For supplies for the In from the Cold Emergency Shelter, including bedding, towels and laundry machines.

Thanks to a generous bequest from Joan Nicholson, the Foundation has granted

$34,000 to the following youth recreation projects:

ArtSpring

For the Makana Youth Choir, for children in Grades 3 to 5. Choir participants learn how to sing, read music and understand music theory, and experience many styles of music.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

For volunteer recruitment and activity supplies for the In School Mentoring Program, which supports vulnerable elementary school students. Adult and teen volunteers work with the children on a weekly basis.

Capital Regional District (CRD)

To support the after-school squash program for children aged 8 to 12 at the Salt Spring Squash Club.

Gulf Islands Marine Rescue Society

For the Junior Cadet Work Experience Program for Grade 11 and 12 GISS students. About eight students per year participate in the program, learning boat and radio operation and earning first-aid certificates. A cumulative 24 hours is spent on the water during this mentored work experience.

Salt Spring Farmers Heritage Foundation

For safety equipment and materials for the Salt Spring Island Blacksmiths’ Group program for children aged 10 to 16. The group introduces the old craft of blacksmithing to a new generation.

Salt Spring Island Conservancy

For the Adventures in Nature summer program for children and their parents, which utilizes art, science, recreation and fun to help participants understand and appreciate the beauty and natural diversity of the Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve.

Salt Spring Island Public Library

For Spring Break Crafternoon, a two-week program that invites local artisans into the library to present free, hands-on workshops for school-aged children age 5–8 and 9–12.

School District #64

To purchase guitars for the Salt Spring Island Middle School music program.

For additional safety mats for the Salt Spring Island Middle School’s popular Tsunami Circus program.

SWOVA

To support the involvement of First Nations elders in the Pass It On Boys mentorship and leadership program, which addresses the emotional and physical well-being of youth aged 12 through 24.

Does your Salt Spring charity have a great project that needs funds? The Foundation’s next grants will be given in spring 2019. If you’d like to know how we can help you as we’ve helped dozens of local charities since 1984, please go to our website at ssifoundation.ca, or call 250-537-8305.

SIMS Tsunami Circus