November 29, 2011

1:30 PM

Campbellford Community Resource Centre

65 Bridge Street East Campbellford

Sponsors:   Campbellford        Campbellford

                      High School           Veterinary Services

CAMPBELLFORD – Close to 500 people accepted Be My Guest’s invitation to be the restaurant’s guest for Thanksgiving dinner Oct. 10, and Community Living Campbellford/Brighton’s Outcomes Sponsorship Fund is $2,850 richer as a result.

 The diners weren’t charged for their turkey dinner but were encouraged to donate to the fund, which provides financial assistance to people with an intellectual disability to help them achieve life goals and dreams.

“If they feel like donating, they donate, if they don’t, they get a free meal,” said Andrew Papaioannou, co-owner of Be My Guest with his father Phil and brother Kosta. “It’s just nice to give away, do something good for the community.”

It’s the fourth year the Doxsee Avenue restaurant has held the charity dinner in support of a local cause.

Community Living’s executive director Nancy Brown and board president Chris Park presented the Papaioannou family and their staff with gifts Oct. 12 as a show of appreciation.

“Quite frankly, without the generosity of people in the community, there are things they (people with an intellectual disability) would just not be able to do,” Mr. Park said, such as have special dental work done or a prosthesis made, “things that are outside the normal funding channels. This donation will really make a difference.”

“It’s a significant amount of money,” Ms. Brown said. “It’s just amazing what they did.”

Ms. Brown said the fund — “we try to keep it over $10,000″ — is supported by grants, award money and fundraisers organized by staff members. The money is used by the people the agency serves to pay for tuition, orthotics, medical supports and reconnections with families. But the fund can also help them realize dreams. One person had the opportunity to go to England this year, Ms. Brown said.

“Everybody has those dreams and aspirations but when you’re on a fixed income, there’s no way you can achieve those,” she said. “We have about 140 people in our service, so each one of those people can apply to the fund, depending on what they want.”

Ms. Brown said applications for assistance are handled by a committee whose members are drawn from staff, the board of directors, the community and persons in service.

“If people can afford to pay it back they do … whatever they can afford,” she said.

Monday, October 10^th, 2011
12:00 noon until 5:00 pm

Cost:  Donation
A delicious hot turkey dinner will be served with dessert!

All proceeds are being donated to:

Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities

For more information, please contact:
Andrew Papanoloza
16 Doxsee Street N
Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0
Phone: (705) 653-4555

Communities rely on strong support from a number of sources, including volunteers, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. That support could include activities like raising funds for community projects, giving employees time to volunteer or creating a new after-school program for at-risk youth, to list only a few examples.

Every day, local businesses, not-for-profit organizations and thousands of individuals volunteer their time, energy and skills to improve the well-being of families and communities across the country. They help make Canada stronger by creating change and inspiring hope.

The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards is a new program that has been created to celebrate these Canadians who make a difference. A total of 17 awards will be given at both the regional and national level. Recipients will be eligible to identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant for $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000 (national award).

Those chosen for the awards must be nominated. The first call for nominations opened on July 12 and will close on September 9, 2011. Award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony to be held in early 2012.

Do you know an individual or group, a business or not-for-profit organization that is making a difference in your community? Recognize their contributions and show your appreciation by submitting a nomination.

To learn more about the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards, please visit http://www.pm.gc.ca/awards or call 1-877-825-0434.

The Trentonian , Thursday June 30, 2011

A local project has been given a financial boost by the provincial government.

Six organizations – Community Living Quinte West, Pathways to Independence, Community Vision & Networking, Community Living Campbellford/Brighton, Community Living Belleville and Area and the Quinte West YMCA – received $61,643 Monday morning.

“We received some funding two years ago for the project and this is a continuation of that funding,” said Ron Riddell, general manager of the YMCA.

They money will go toward the HELMS project — Health, Energy, Learning and Motivation through Sports — aims to improve the quality of life for disabled people. The six organizations, which work together to provide the program, have also teamed up with Queen’s University in Kingston.  “The money will be partially used for access to the YMCA. Other activities they do can include horseback riding, sailing and skiing,” said Riddell.

Riddell said the program is primarily for those with intellectual disabilities, but some participants have physical disabilities as well.  The money will also be used to develop resource materials such as videos to show what the HELMS project offers.

Some of the funding will also be used by Queen’s to conduct research on the effect of physical activity and sports on the mental and physical health and social integration of local people with intellectual disabilities.

 ”People with intellectual disabilities will be able to lead healthier and better lives because of the Healthy Community Funding we are receiving,” said Starr Olson, Community Living Quinte West executive director. “This funding means a great deal to many, many people who are sometimes forgotten.”  The funding is part of the provincial government’s Healthy Communities Fund.

“Folks with disabilities play a huge role in our society,” said Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi. “They should be able to enjoy the same benefits as all of us.”