The Amherstburg Community Foundation (ACF) has announced a new round of projects and successful completion of two others. The ACF held the fourth in its “Thought Leaders” series last Thursday night and used the occasion to announce how its next round of fundraising projects will be decided upon as well as to celebrate the completion of two of its projects that were announced during the fi rst wave of funding..
Richard Peddie, president of the ACF, said the revamped foundation relaunched in its current form eight months ago and has completed three of its fi rst four fundraising targets. One of those – the upgrades to Beaudoin Park in River Canard – was already completed thanks to additional funding from the Amherstburg Accessibility Committee and the Rotary Club of Amherstburg but two more were announced last week.
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum’s “Freedom Achievers” program, which features a high profi le speaker series and a mentorship program – was completed as all $39,000 was raised while the Carnegie Library Refresh achieved its $40,000 fundraising target. The latter includes upgrades to technology, seating,murals and other upgrades.
“We’re looking at a great start to 2020,” said Peddie.
Amherstburg Freedom Museum president Monty Logan said the museum was happy their target hasbeen reached.
“We’re very excited our goal has been accomplished,” he said.
Logan touted the high profi le speaker series has al ready seen Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey come to Amherstburg with the next speaker scheduled to be author Hadiya Roderique., author of “Black on Bay Street,” will discuss “Freedom in the 21st Century” March 28 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the museum.
Shannon Bailey, who helped lead the Citizens for Carnegie, said they will continue to put any further donated funds towards the refresh. There is an ongoing readathon underway to raise money for Amherstburg’s Carnegie Library, with pledge forms available at the library, and Naples Pizza also donated ten per cent of its sales from March 2 to the initiative. Bailey added Essex County Library CEO Robin Greenall and board chair Nelson Santos were also very supportive of the refresh prokect.
“Much appreciation to everyone here because you helped us cross the fi nish line,” Bailey told the large crowd at the Libro Centre during last Thursday night’s meeting.
The latest round of fundraising will focus on non-profi t groups in Amherstburg. Entitled the “Believe in Amherstburg” initiative, the ACF will fund up to $7,500 per organization to those who apply and get accepted. Applications were distributed last Thursday night and are also available through the foundation’s website at www.amherstburgfoundation.org.
Administrative director Lori Wightman stated the idea to help fund community organizations stems from her attendance at Amherstburg budget deliberations late last year. She recalled community groups coming before town council looking for money and brought her idea to the ACF board of directors, noting the community groups and museums are working to make the town a better place for all ages.
“It all comes back around to belief,” said Wightman. “The foundation wants to make Amherstburg even better. (The community groups and not-for-profi ts) are the people we should be working with.” Wightman said if applications fi t within the ACF’s values of healthy, inspiring and inclusive, they will be eligible for online voting, which will last from April 1 to May 29. Donations will be awarded through online, community voting as well as voting by the ACF board. Winners will be announced at the ACF event planned for June.
ACF vice president Chris Gibb stated community and service groups are the “icing on the cake” in Amherstburg and they are helping to fund this year’s initiative through “community builders” that each donated $1,000. A total of 27 individuals, couples and businesses have stepped up so far includ-
ing Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche; Jeff and Tammy Ostrow, Bob Luckino; Ryan Deslippe; John D’Alimonte, Kim Wheeler and Jayci Wigle; Eric and April Farron; Dominic Amicone; Fiona Coughlin; Mayor Aldo DiCarlo and his wife Laura; Sean and Karrie Maine; Meg and Loris Boschin; CAO John Miceli; Dave Cowlin, Ron Deneau; John and Melissa Tregaskiss; Mike and Tina Girard; Kirsten Kurzuk; Luigi DiPierdomenico and Beth Preston; Councillor Marc Renaud; Michael and Nancy Greenaway; Robert James and the Anderson Family; Dr. Sean Sinasac; the law fi rm of Hogarth, Hermiston, Severs and Peter and Laura Dobrich.
Gibb added that donations of any size are appreciated.
“This is a community that works together,” he said. “If you donate $50 or $5, it all works together.”
“One-hundred per cent of the money goes back into the community,” added Peddie.