MOUNT FOREST – Two minor sports organizations here received a big boost from a local family through the Centre Wellington Community Foundation (CWCF).
A $60,000 contribution from the Donald family (Kate Ross-LeBlanc and Jim Donald) to the foundation’s Wellington North Youth Fund was split between the Mount Forest Minor Hockey Association ($47,500) and the Mount Forest Minor Ball Association ($9,500).
“This significant donation by the Donald Family exemplifies why these two funds were set up,” said CWCF executive director Raymond Soucy, following a cheque presentation on Nov. 30.
“It has attracted a significant donation to Wellington North from a former resident that will go right back to helping, in this case, two minor sports organizations.”
Soucy added, “When I spoke to Kate, she said she grew up with two older brothers that played a lot of sports. Her brother Jim has been deeply involved for many years in Minor sports in Wellington North. She wanted to support the passionate work her brother and others like him do in the community.”
Also on Nov. 30, Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox presented the foundation with a contribution of $2,000 from the Mayor’s Curling Bonspiel, on behalf of the township.
In February, the township announced a partnership with the Centre Wellington Community Foundation (CWCF) by donating $50,000 to set up two new endowed funds of $25,000 each.
The Wellington North Community Fund focuses on supporting the local community at large, while the Wellington North Youth Fund focuses specifically on youth initiatives in the township.
“It’s to keep the money in the community,” said Soucy. “We hope the Donald Family’s generosity will help lead the way for others to do the same.”
Soucy noted that shortly after the two Wellington North endowment funds were established in February, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, hindering much of the communications work that would normally be done to help build and promote the fund.
“We haven’t really had a lot of opportunities to go out in the community and talk to people,” he explained.
Anyone interested in receiving more information on donating or applying to the CWCF Wellington North funds is encouraged to contact Soucy at raymond@cwcfoundation.ca or 888-713-4083 or Lennox at alennox@wellington-north.ca.
