AGENDA - Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee - 20210527Town of Aurora
Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date:May 27, 2021
Time:10 a.m.
Location:Video Conference
Pages
1.Procedural Notes
This meeting will be held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
2.Approval of the Agenda
3.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
4.Receipt of the Minutes
4.1.Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of July 30, 2020 1
That the Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee meeting minutes of July
30, 2020, be received for information.
5.Delegations
Note: At this time, the municipal offices are closed. This meeting will be live
streamed at https://www.youtube.com/c/Townofaurora/videos. Anyone
wishing to provide comment on an agenda item is encouraged to
visit www.aurora.ca/participation for guidelines on electronic delegation.
6.Matters for Consideration
6.1.Application from Shine Through the Rain Foundation - Rainy Day Food &
Shelter Program
8
That the application from Shine Through the Rain Foundation -
Rainy Day Food & Shelter Program be received; and
1.
That the Committee provide direction to:2.
Grant the funding request;a.
Deny the funding request; orb.
Defer consideration of the funding request to a future
meeting.
c.
6.2.Application from Sport Aurora Inc. - All Kids Can Play Program 11
That the application from Sport Aurora Inc. - All Kids Can Play
Program be received; and
1.
That the Committee provide direction to:2.
Grant the funding request;a.
Deny the funding request; orb.
Defer consideration of the funding request to a future
meeting.
c.
7.Informational Items
8.Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Mayor’s Golf Classic
Funds Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2020
Time and Location: 10 a.m., Video Conference
Committee Members: Nancy Harrison (Chair, departed at 11 a.m.), Koula Koliviras
(Vice Chair), Barb Allan, Wendy Browne, Rosalyn
Gonsalves, Heidi Schellhorn, and Beverley Wood
Member(s) Absent: None
Other Attendees: Councillor Wendy Gaertner, Jason Gaertner, Manager of
Financial Management Services, Michael de Rond, Town
Clerk, and Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 20.1 of the Town's Procedure By-
law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
The disbursement of funds being considered by the Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds
Committee is of the funds generated from the annual Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf
Classic Tournament.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.
Nancy Harrison relinquished the Chair to Vice Chair Koula Koliviras at 10:14 a.m. and
resumed the Chair at 10:16 a.m. during the consideration of Application (d) – Salvation
Army.
The Committee consented to resolve into a closed session at 10:26 a.m. and
reconvened into an open session at 10:58 a.m.
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Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Page 2 of 7
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Beverley Wood
Seconded by Heidi Schellhorn
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, including the following
additional item, be approved:
• Application (g) – York Region Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Nancy Harrison declared a pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50 respecting Item 1(d), as she is employed with
the organization. Nancy Harrison did not participate in the discussion or voting of
this item.
Barb Allan declared a pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest
Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50 respecting Item 1(b), as she is on the organization’s
Executive Council. Barb Allan did not participate in the discussion or voting of this
item.
Beverley Wood declared a pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50 respecting Item 1(b), as she is on the
organization’s Executive Council. Beverley Wood did not participate in the
discussion or voting of this item.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2019
Moved by Rosalyn Gonsalves
Seconded by Beverley Wood
That the Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee meeting minutes of December 5,
2019, be received for information.
Carried
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Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Page 3 of 7
4. Delegations
None
5. Matters for Consideration
1. Applications for Review
(a) Abuse Hurts
The Committee reviewed the application and discussed about the
allocation of funds as proposed by the organization. The Committee
agreed that the application meets the criteria to receive funding from the
Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament.
Moved by Rosalyn Gonsalves
Seconded by Koula Koliviras
1. That Application (a) be received; and
2. That the Committee grant funding to Abuse Hurts in the amount of
$2,500.
Carried
(b) Welcoming Arms
The Committee reviewed the application and agreed that the application
meets the criteria to receive funding from the Mayor’s Charity Golf
Tournament.
Moved by Wendy Browne
Seconded by Rosalyn Gonsalves
1. That Application (b) be received; and
2. That the Committee grant funding to Welcoming Arms in the amount
of $5,000.
Carried
(c) Women’s Centre of York Region
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Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Page 4 of 7
The Committee reviewed the application and discussed about the various
aspects of the organization’s programs and activities. The Committee
agreed that the application meets the criteria to receive funding from the
Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament.
Moved by Heidi Schellhorn
Seconded by Beverley Wood
1. That Application (c) be received; and
2. That the Committee grant funding to Women’s Centre of York Region
in the amount of $3,000.
Carried
(d) Salvation Army
The Committee reviewed the application and discussed the organization’s
efforts to use the funds towards COVID-19 pandemic recovery programs.
The Committee agreed that the application meets the criteria to receive
funding from the Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament.
Moved by Barb Allan
Seconded by Beverley Wood
1. That Application (d) be received; and
2. That the Committee grant funding to Salvation Army in the amount of
$2,500.
Carried
(e) Kinark Child and Family Services
(f) Kinark Child and Family Services
The Committee discussed Applications (e) and (f) in Closed Session.
(g) York Region Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers
The Committee reviewed the application and agreed that the application
meets the criteria to receive funding from the Mayor’s Charity Golf
Tournament.
Page 4 of 12
Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Page 5 of 7
Moved by Rosalyn Gonsalves
Seconded by Heidi Schellhorn
1. That Application (g) be received; and
2. That the Committee grant funding to York Region Rose of Sharon
Services for Young Mothers in the amount of $5,000.
Carried
6. Informational Items
2. Verbal Update from Town Clerk
Re: Committee Updates
Staff provided an update regarding the available funds thus far and noted that the
Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic will not be held this year due to the
ongoing pandemic. Staff noted that due to facility closures, formal in-person
cheque presentations to the organizations receiving funds as discussed at
previous meeting will be suspended.
The Committee and staff discussed about the possible means on how
organizations can report back on the utilization of disbursed funds. Staff noted that
a requirement for organizations to report back to the Town within a determined
timeframe in anyway they deem appropriate regarding how the funds were utilized
will be noted on the Application to Receive Funds.
Moved by Beverley Wood
Seconded by Barb Allan
1. That the verbal update regarding Committee Updates be received for
information.
Carried
7. Closed Session
Moved by Wendy Browne
Seconded by Beverley Wood
That the Committee resolve into a Closed Session to consider the following matter:
Page 5 of 12
Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Page 6 of 7
3. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local
board employees (Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re:
Application (e) – Kinark Child and Family Services
4. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local
board employees (Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re:
Application (f) – Kinark Child and Family Services
Carried
Moved by Koula Koliviras
Seconded by Beverley Wood
That the Committee meeting be reconvened into an open session to rise and
report out from Closed Session.
Carried
3. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or
local board employees (Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re:
Application (e) – Kinark Child and Family Services
Moved by Wendy Browne
Seconded by Heidi Schellhorn
1. That application (e) be received; and
2. That the confidential direction to staff be confirmed.
Carried
4. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or
local board employees (Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001); Re:
Application (f) – Kinark Child and Family Services
Moved by Wendy Browne
Seconded by Barb Allan
1. That application (f) be received; and
2. That the confidential direction to staff be confirmed.
Carried
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Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Page 7 of 7
6. Adjournment
Moved by Heidi Schellhorn
Seconded by Rosalyn Gonsalves
That the meeting be adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
Carried
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Shine Through the Rain Foundation
1211 Gorham Street, Unit #12, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8Y3
sponsorship@shinethroughtherain.ca 905-477-7743 ext. 2222
Page 8 of 12
1
April 30, 2021
Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic
Town of Aurora
100 John West Way
Box 1000
Aurora, ON L4G 6J1
Dear Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic:
On behalf of local patient families diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, we bring to your
attention alarming news about how Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on those most vulnerable and
at-risk of homelessness and hunger, who are falling through the cracks.
Hospital social workers, Child Life Specialists, nurses and physicians refer their low-income, at-
risk patients to us for emergency financial assistance, to avoid eviction, disconnected utilities,
and hunger. We are told families are further behind financially now, as surgeries and treatments
are delayed. While some had temporary reprieve from paying rent and utilities, they are now
deeper into financial despair that is more difficult to recover from. One recent local patient
family, a single mother with four children, had overdue rent close to $5,000; we have not seen
this before the pandemic began.
Our Rainy Day Food & Shelter Program pays overdue rent and utilities, and provides grocery
gift cards to local grocery stores, up to $1,500 per patient per year (may be higher if extenuating
circumstances). Before Covid-19, families faced eviction, disconnected utilities and food
instability due to poverty resulting from diagnosis of their child, sibling or parent. Income is
lost when too sick to work or be with an ill child, OHIP/OHIP+ does not pay for all
medications taken outside of hospital (i.e. chemo pills taken at home), not everyone has
extended health benefits and those that do, often have co-payments. Our goal is to help low-
income patient families remain in their own homes, to focus on recovery or prepare for the end
stage of life. The benefit to Town of Aurora residents is avoiding eviction, disconnected
utilities, and hunger. Depending on what type of assistance is required, between 30 (i.e.
grocery cards) and 2 (rent) patient families can benefit. Those needing help to keep their
utilities on range between these numbers.
We respectfully request $3,000 or an amount you can provide, which should cover 50% of the
program for local Aurora patients. Unfortunately, we have limited means of securing funding
for the Aurora area; frankly, donors wishing to fund patients in this area have dried up since
the pandemic began. Previously, we could turn to a local service club and a donor business,
however they have their own financial challenges now and we have a shortfall. Other donors are
more interested in helping patients in their own neighbourhoods.
To raise additional funds, we are applying for funding from foundations and continuously look
for local support.
Page 9 of 12
2
Unfortunately, our families are forgotten since the pandemic began. Donors are focused on
helping hospitals, food banks and shelters right now, but where does that leave these families?
Food banks and shelters serve a purpose, but for those with compromised immune systems, the
risk of contracting communicable diseases can be higher with the food bank and sheltered
populations. Also, registered dieticians and physicians do not recommend patients consume
processed food high in sodium and sugar typically found at food banks. Providing grocery
cards means people can select food appropriate to their cultural, religious, medical and
individual preferences.
We also hear that rent relief programs are failing some residents, as funding is limited and not
everyone meets the criteria for funding; hence they fall through the cracks.
Hence, we respectfully request funding from you for our Rainy Day Food & Shelter Program to
help fill the gaps in the systems. Please be assured that your funding will assist local families
only. Your support means patient families will remain fed and sheltered in their own homes,
while they recover from the frightening ravages of life-threatening illnesses.
Research conducted by the Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Action Network
reveals ‘91% will suffer loss of income or a rise in expenses…For some, a cancer diagnosis
begins a financial tailspin that pushes ordinary people over the edge resulting in debt, distress,
bankruptcy and even a lifetime on social assistance” (www.cancer.ca). The logical assumption
can be made that this will apply to other life-threatening illnesses.
For youth, “the effects of early childhood poverty are long-lasting and not simply corrected by
better financial security later in life” and “the greater the negative impact on physical and mental
health in adolescent and early adulthood…” (http://chicagopolicyreview.org).
At Shine Through the Rain Foundation (registered charitable #891881005RR0001), we help
those affected by life-threatening illnesses. Whether it’s services or funds, we provide guidance,
support, and financial aid to those in need. We help children, adults and families find the silver
lining. When things seem gloomy and you’re being rained on, we’re here to help you shine
through it.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to hearing from you at your
earliest convenience. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Laurie Docimo
Laurie Docimo
Sponsorships & Grants
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Sport Aurora Inc
412 McCaffrey Road, Newmarket, Ontario
executive.director@sportaurora.ca 905-713-5027
Page 11 of 12
All Kids Can Play 2021
The All Kids Can Play Program has been in existence for over 9 years since 2012 and has been
active in providing financially disadvantaged families the opportunity to apply for and receive
funding to support their sport participation with Sport Aurora Members.
• The current criteria for approval of funding is available on the web site and was
presented and approved at the Sport Aurora AGM 2020.
• An Outreach Plan including traditional and social media will continue to be used to
inform the Community, build positive public relations, and stimulate referrals to the
Program.
• Recommendations have been made and approved by the Sport Aurora Board to
ensure an accurate, easy and available registration process is observed to ensure
confidentiality of all information shared including on -line and in-person processes.
• An individual Donor Giving Plan has begun to solicit funds from individuals.
• At the end of 2020, the Program has enabled 259 children to participate in healthy
activity and we have distributed over $35,000.00 to families in need.
• A Work Plan has been approved by the Sport Aurora Board for the anticipated
increase in requests from worthy recipients as well as including an outreach Program
to attract additional donors to keep the fund available for children in need.
• We have revamped our registration processes at www.sportaurora.ca to take
advantage of the on-line environment yet securing privileged info rmation.
• Recognizing that funds are needed to support the administration and outreach
activities, we have added a sponsor opportunity for those with support interests to
provide funding for the outreach to both donors and recipients.
• We have partnered with various local Service Clubs such as the Rotary and Odd
Fellows as well as Welcoming Arms who serve to identify families in need.
• Sport Aurora receives no grant funding from any other source. Our donors and
sponsors provide 100% of all donations/sponsorships go to supporting the children
who apply for funding, so without donors or sponsors, the fund does not exist.
• At current and anticipated funding levels, we have less than 12 months of reserve in
the fund. Our policy is to maintain 12 months of funding reserve to ensure continuity
and sustainability of the Program.
• We hope that the Mayors Charity Golf Classic Committee will consider funding this
important program that helps deliver on our Mission to increase participation in
marginalized communities with a donation of $5000.00 that will help 33 children
who would not have had the opportunity to participate in sport.
The Sport Aurora All Kids Can Play Committee Co -Chairs – Rob Cattle- Sport Aurora Director
Ron Weese Honourary Member and President of Sport Aurora as well as the Executive
Director – Laurie Mueller Committee Member.
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