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Community forest gives money to worthy causes

Wells Gray Community Forest Society has decided on its successful grant recipients for the fall intake

Wells Gray Community Forest Society has decided on its successful grant recipients for the fall intake, reports spokesperson Richard Christenson.

A total of $87,000 was given away, he said.

Biggest recipient was Clearwater Secondary School, which is receive nearly $27,000 for three projects: new athletic uniforms, upgrades for the robotics program, and improvements for the weight/exercise room by the gym.

The Healthy Living program sponsored by District of Clearwater is to get $10,000, while another $10,000 is going to Clearwater Sno-drifters Snowmobile Club to help pay for its new groomer.

A toy-lending program organized by Yellowhead Community Services Society will get $5,500. Children from needy families will be able to borrow toys through Clearwater Library just the way they now can borrow books.

Clearwater Rotary is getting $4,500 for a storage box plus another $1,000 for Christmas tree decorations.

The sum of $1,500 is going to Clearwater Food Bank, while Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department is getting $1,000 for Halloween fireworks.

This most recent disbursement follows on one done last spring that saw a total of $85,000 given away, said Christenson.

Biggest recipient then was Wells Gray Outdoor Club, which got about $18,000 for a shop for its groomer.

The number of applications was lower this fall, he said, but their overall quality was better.

Half of the money available from the community forest is earmarked for applications that involve matching funds, Christenson said. That means that those making applications should also try other funding sources to double their dollars.

Christenson added that the community forest gave $25,000 in the spring and another $25,000 this fall to District of Clearwater. The money will be used to develop a community center, if and when the municipality gets control of a suitable location.