To the Editor:
It has been encouraging that so many folks in Keremeos, Olalla, Hedley, Chopaka and Cawston have picked up their tickets to the first ever fund raising event for the Community Fund of the Lower Similkameen.
The fund raising Dinner is happening this Saturday May 3 at The Branding Iron Bar and Grill in Keremeos. There will be music and light entertainment as well as a choice of three different dinner courses.
Tickets are $25 at Cawston Marketplace, The Grist Mill, Similkameen Agencies and the Branding Iron.
The local committee was formed last year to pull together a kind of “community chest’ from which local groups could draw funds to back projects and programs in our area.
Community Organizations that may be in line for grant funding from government or some private charities may now partner with the local community fund to help move their projects forward.
As the local committee moves ahead It will be critical to win the confidence of potential contributors and thereby increase the size of the fund. The more money in, the more community work happens.
Contributions will be tax creditable. Bequests are welcome. Receipts are issued from the Community Foundation of The South Okanagan Similkameen.
This foundation has benefited from very sound financial management over the past twenty years.
Funds are applied for on an annual basis. Our local committee assembles to study applications and to prioritize. There is in excess of $10,000 already invested in the Lower Similkameen Fund.
This weekend’s fund raising dinner is just the beginning of what the local committee hopes will be a positive resource to the area.
You can find out more online at www.cfso.net.
Dave Cursons, committee member, Community Fund, Cawston
