BGC Kawarthas receives a grant from Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes (BGC Kawarthas) is one of 11 organizations who received a grant from The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group this holiday season.

On Tuesday, December 12th, Commonwell announced, in a press release, the local organization is receiving a $30,000 grant from Commonwell’s ‘Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund.’

The press release explained, this annual funding program was created “to enable local programs and projects in Ontario [which] support learning on a local level,” and is given to projects which “foster learning and build strong communities for future generations.”

“Beyond being a locally focused insurer, The Commonwell is committed to investing in the growth and resiliency of small communities,” Tim Shauf, President and CEO of Commonwell, said in a statement. “As a member-based mutual insurance company, we have a proud heritage of giving back.”

In total, funding from this program, for the 11 recipient projects, is $350,000.

In a Facebook post, BGC Kawarthas stated, they were “beyond thrilled” to learn they were one of the recipients.

“This funding will allow us to modernize our large gymnasium, used by the entire Club, and add workout equipment to our new Judgment Free Zone, at the Youth Warehouse,” the post added.

The Leaf Initiative website explains the project further.

“Currently, the 6,950 square foot gym is divided by old, heavy curtains [which] are difficult to clean and interfere with programs. They’re a safety hazard, as kids hide in them, pull them, or even hang on them, posing risks for safe play and for adequate supervision. They also impose on some of our court spaces. We would like to modernize the gym with proper dividing curtains. [These would] roll up to the ceiling with the use of electrical controls, improving the health and safety of the space, and allow us to maximize usage of the facility. The vinyl material would be fire resistant and resistant to rot and mildew. A new scoreboard would also be purchased,” the post states. “In addition, we have a smaller fitness area for teens which needs additional equipment to meet the fitness goals of our youth. Currently, it has excellent cardio equipment [which] has been donated, but lacks mats, dumbbells and mirrors which will provide a wider and more accessible range of activities, for youth aged 12 to 18, who frequent our Warehouse Youth Centre.”