Agenda - Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee - 20240626Town of Aurora
Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date:Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Time:10 a.m.
Location:Video Conference
Meetings are available to the public via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel. To participate,
please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2024 1
That the Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting
Minutes of May 2, 2024, be received for information.
1.
6.Delegations
7.Matters for Consideration
7.1 Application from Sport Aurora; Re: All Kids Can Play Program 5
That the Application from Sport Aurora; Re: All Kids Can Play
Program be received; and
1.
That the Committee provide direction to:2.
Grant the funding request; ora.
Deny the funding request; orb.
Defer consideration of the funding request to a future
meeting.
c.
7.2 Application from Yellow Brick House; Re: Break the Silence, Step in my
Shoes Walk
13
That the Application from Yellow Brick House; Re: Break the
Silence, Step in my Shoes Walk be received; and
1.
That the Committee provide direction to:2.
Grant the funding request; ora.
Deny the funding request; orb.
Defer consideration of the funding request to a future
meeting.
c.
7.3 Application from Huayun Multicultural Association; Re: Community
Events
29
That the Application from Huayun Multicultural Association; Re:
Community Events be received; and
1.
That the Committee provide direction to:2.
Grant the funding request; ora.
Deny the funding request; orb.
Defer consideration of the funding request to a future
meeting.
c.
7.4 Application from The Optimist Club of Aurora; Re: Youth Programs 40
That the Application from The Optimist Club of Aurora; Re: Youth
Programs be received; and
1.
That the Committee provide direction to:2.
Grant the funding request; ora.
Deny the funding request; orb.
Defer consideration of the funding request to a future
meeting.
c.
8.Informational Items
9.New Business
10.Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Mayor's Golf Classic Funds Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Thursday, May 2, 2024
10 a.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Angela Covert (Chair)
Michelle Black
Shaheen Moledina
Abe Reiss (Vice Chair)
Members Absent: Dan Winters
Robert Gaby
Other Attendees: Jason Gaertner, Manager, Financial Management
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.
Abe Reiss assumed the Chair for item 7.4.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
Page 1 of 42
Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2024 2
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Michelle Black
Seconded by Abe Reiss
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
Angela Covert declared a conflict of interest with item 7.4 - Application from The
Salvation Army and Northridge Community Church; Re: Community Garden as
she is employed by the Salvation Army.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of March 7, 2024
Moved by Shaheen Moledina
Seconded by Abe Reiss
1. That the Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes of
March 7, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Application from York Region Food Network; Re: Community Breakfast
Program
Moved by Abe Reiss
Seconded by Michelle Black
1. That the Application from York Region Food Network; Re: Community
Breakfast Program be received; and
Page 2 of 42
Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2024 3
2. That the Committee grant the funding request in the amount of
$5,000.00.
Carried
7.2 Application from Aurora Lions Club; Re: Purchase of New Barbecues and
Trailer for Fundraising/Community Events
Moved by Shaheen Moledina
Seconded by Michelle Black
1. That the Application from Aurora Lion's Club; Re: Purchase of New
Barbecues and Trailer for Fundraising/Community Events be received;
and
2. That the Committee grant the funding request in the amount of
$5,000.00.
Carried
7.3 Application from Hope House Community Hospice; Re: Hike for Hope
Moved by Shaheen Moledina
Seconded by Michelle Black
1. That the Application from Hope House Community Hospice; Re: Hike
for Hope be received; and
2. That the Committee grant the funding request in the amount of
$2,500.00.
Carried
7.4 Application from The Salvation Army and Northridge Community Church;
Re: Community Garden
Moved by Shaheen Moledina
Seconded by Michelle Black
1. That the Application from The Salvation Army and Northridge
Community Church; Re: Community Garden be received; and
2. That the Committee grant the funding request in the amount of
$3,000.00.
Page 3 of 42
Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2024 4
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
None.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Shaheen Moledina
Seconded by Abe Reiss
That the meeting be adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Carried
Page 4 of 42
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Application to Receive Funds
The Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic has raised over $1 million to date and has financially assisted several community
organizations to provide much needed services to residents living in the Town of Aurora. Recipient selection is conducted
annually by the application review and disbursement committee of the Town of Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic and is
based on the information provided in this application.
Funding Criteria and guidelines;
Individual applicants and community groups must demonstrate financial hardship or a limited means to retain funds in
another manner. Individual applications demonstrating financial hardship will be kept confidential.
Individuals and organizations may not receive funding for more than two consecutive years.
Funding requests for more than $5,000 in a calendar year will not be accepted.
Funding requests for more than 50% of an initiative will not be considered and applicants must demonstrate how the
remaining funds will be or have been obtained
Applications should demonstrate a benefit to the residents of the Town of Aurora that receiving the funding will
provide
Successful applicants will be required to report back in any way they deem appropriate regarding the utilization of
funds within six (6) months of receiving funds
Name of Individual or Community Group *
Sport Aurora
Address
Street Number and Name *
412 McCaffrey Road
City/ Town *
Newmarket
Page 5 of 42
Province *
Ontario
Postal Code *
L3X1T5
Contact Information
Email Address *
executive.director@sportaurora.ca
Phone Number *
(905) 713-5027
On a separate document, please outline your initiative and any supporting documentation you have. The
information being provided should align with the funding criteria guidelines found above. Please attach your
documentation with this this form.
Page 6 of 42
Application to Receive Funds
from the Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic 2024
All Kids Can Play Program
The All Kids Can Play Program has been in existence since 2012 and has been actfve in providing
financially disadvantaged families the opportunity to apply for and receive funding to support their
children’s’ sport partfcipatfon.
Since it’s inceptfon, the fund has attracted donatfons to a total of $62,652.00 from 30 separate
donors; many of whom are multfple donors. Most donors are service Organizatfons, sport
organizatfons, golf tournament organizers and corporatfons who believe as we do that children of
families in financial need have a right to partfcipate in healthy actfve, socially acceptable programs.
We receive no funding from any other source besides our donors and sponsors and 100% of all
donatfons/sponsorships go to supportfng the children who apply for funding, so without donors or
sponsors, the fund does not exist.
We have subsidized over 300 children over the life of the Fund, who are now engaged in healthy
physical actfvity within our community and with multfple sport Organizatfons.
Our fund now attracts more applicatfons than ever and our estfmates are that at current 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 contfnuity and sustainability of the Program.
As part of our contfnued diligence, Sport Aurora recently reviewed the best practfces available in
terms of donor and sponsor recruitment as well as recipient access and we have now re-launched
the Program, confident that our processes are fair, transparent and objectfve.
• We have revamped our registratfon processes at www.sportaurora.ca to take advantage of the
on-line environment yet securing privileged informatfon.
• Recognizing that funds are needed to support the administratfon and outreach actfvitfes, we
have added a sponsor opportunity for those with support interests to provide funding for the
outreach to both donors and recipients. In the past, all funds donate d were directed to the
recipients but now we need funds to outreach and sustain the Program through sponsorship.
• Our ‘Outreach Plan’ is always updatfng to use traditfonal and social media as well as personal
appeal to build the fund through new and existfng donors and find eligible recipients. This
includes an outreach to individual donors through a unique on-line funding that was designed in
2020.
• The Work Plan for the AKCP Program has been approved by the Sport Aurora Board and we
are now implementfng that plan for 2024.
The Sport Aurora All Kids Can Play Administrator
Executfve Director – Laurie Mueller
Page 7 of 42
The Problem:
• According to the Ontario Physical and Health Educatfon Associatfon (OPHEA) school -age children are
getting less than the 60 minutes per day of physical actfvity research suggests is necessary for
maintaining health.
• According to PartfcipActfon, Canada’s leading advocate for healthy physical actfvity, only 35% of
children aged 5-17 are getting the required amount of physical actfvity to maintain health.
• Only 20 minutes of Daily Physical Actfvity is provided for in the curriculum of elementary school
children.
• According to the Harvard Medical School in by the year 2030, fifly percent (50%) of health care dollars
will be spent on the diagnosis, treatment and compensatfon for those suffering from Diabetes. Type 2
Diabetes is now considered an epidemic, It is als o being defined as a lifestyle disease, largely
preventable with regular physical actfvity and appropriate nutritfon.
• Parents report in multfple surveys that the cost of sport partfcipatfon is responsible for keeping 1/3 of
Canadian youth off of fields and out of gyms and that parents on average spend $953 per year per child
to partfcipate in sports. When surveyed, 87% of parents report they know of a child who cannot afford
to partfcipate in sport and physical actfvity due to cost.
• According to Canadian Tire Jumpstart statfstfcs, in 2018 alone 310,824 kids were helped across Canada
distributfng over $26,000.000.00. Typically funding from the CTC Jumpstart Program is depleted and
closed before all applicants are served in Aurora.
• Each year there has been an average of 30% increase in subsidies provided by Sport Aurora Member
Organizatfons to children and families who need financial assistance to contfnue with their programs.
Our Member Organizatfons offer financial assistance through their own means each year to many
children. The All Kids Can Play adds funding to more partfcipants.
• The Sport Aurora All Kids Can Play Program has received donatfons of over $60,000.00 from local
businesses Service Groups and individuals and all funds donated go directly to the kids funded and the
administratfon of the Program is funded by Sport Aurora through their sponsors and supporters.
• Due to cost, there has been no campaign of awareness in Aurora to inform people that help is
available and therefore people just don’t know of the possibility of subsidy. Sport Organizatfons are
wary of promotfng that subsidies exist because they do not have the capacity to subsidize all requests. It
is a delicate balance to promote the program and ensure sufficient funds are available.
• While Aurora is considered and aftfuent Community with comparatfvely high average incomes for all of
Canada ($106,708.00-2016 Census data), many parents cannot afford to put their children into sports
without financial assistance. While assistance is mad e through agencies such as JumpStart, the
availability of funds is less than the need and so additfonal assistance is needed to ensure All Kids Can
Play in Aurora.
• Sport Aurora has partnered with Welcoming Arms in order to streamline the applicatfon process for
partfcipant families and reach more eligible recipients.
Page 8 of 42
Supplemental Program Information:
What is Subsidized?
AKCP offers financial support registratfon costs for organized recreatfonal, introductory or
developmental Sport Programs. Eligible recreatfonal, introductory or developmental Programs are those
that are inclusive of all children regardless of ability and where there are no selectfon processes of
inclusion or where children can be ‘cut’ from a team or a Program. Programs that focus on recreatfonal
play, introductory sport instructfon and fundamental movement or sport skill development are eligible.
AKCP is designed to reduce financial barriers to entry to sport programs.
Who Is ‘Eligible’?
All Kids Can Play Program supports children and youth between the ages of 4 and 18 years. One
exceptfon is for partfcipants with documented special needs who are eligible regardless of age.
AKCP focus is entfrely on the investment in children who wish to explore sport opportunitfes and
become engaged in healthy sport partfcipatfon at the recreatfonal level and is intended to remove
financial barriers to entry to sport. No fee subsidy associated with Competftfve Programs are provided,
nor are equipment costs subsidized.
What is a ‘Program Session’?
Programs offered by a qualified sport or physical actfvity Organizatfon that are:
• A minimum of eight weeks in duratfon.
• Provide at least 1 hour per week of actfvity.
• Considered ‘Try Me’ Programs that encourage children to partfcipate for the first tfme in any sport.
What is a ‘Funding Period’?
Two Funding Periods exist; Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter periods and contfnuous intake is
provided all year during each Funding Period.
How are Funds Distributed?
Financial support is made directly to the Sport Organizatfon, not the family nor the athlete and only afler
the applicatfon has been approved and registratfon has been confirmed by the Sport Organizatfon in
questfon.
• The Sport Organizatfon is responsible for providing 25% of the fee charged as a discount to the
applicant.
• AKCP will provide 50% of the fees charged up to a maximum of $300.00 per Funding Period.
• The applicant is required to pay 25% of the fee directly to the Sport Organizatfon but may be waived
by that Organizatfon.
• The maximum AKCP subsidy of any and all fees to any given child or youth per Funding Period is
$300.00.
• Children can be funded to a total maximal annual subsidy of $600.00.
• There is no limit to the number of children subsidized in any family.
• Families can re-apply to subsequent Funding Periods provided all other funding criteria have been
met.
• Families must provide evidence of financial need through AKCP applicatfon procedures and be
approved before funds are advanced to the sport organizatfon.
Page 9 of 42
• Applicatfons are available at local Elementary Schools, Welcoming Arms or the Aurora Public Library.
On-line Applicatfons can be printed at www.sportaurora.ca/akcp and submitted confidentfally to Sport
Aurora at the address identffied.
• The decision to fund any applicant is subject to final approval by the Executfve Director and Board of
Sport Aurora.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding for one or more children, families must first meet specific financial criteria as
per Revenue Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Offs (LICO) chart. Direct referral from local Pastors and school
Principals is available for those deemed qualified by them. Welcoming Arms and Sport Aurora have
reciprocal agreements to accept the qualificatfon of partfcipants.
Application Processes
AKCP applicatfons are accessible to all who qualify for the program and are available as follows:
1. The Sport Aurora Web site.
2. Through personal appeal to Sport Aurora
3. Applicatfons must be submitted and approved prior to the program's start date.
4. Applicatfons must include proof of financial need. Anyone of the following will suffice as proof need to
provide one of the following: an income assessment, T4 statement from the previous year, or three
consecutfve pay stubs.
5. Funding is up to $300 per funding period, subject to the All Kids Can Play Program’s discretfon and/or
local demands.
6. Children can be funded for successive seasons in an actfvity, up to a maximum of $300 per funding
period.
7. The annual maximum amount a child is eligible to receive is up to $600, subject to the All Kids Can
Play Program’s discretfon and/or local demands.
8. Cheques are made payable to the service organizatfon, identffied as the “payee” in the applicatfon. A
payee can be any local sport organizatfon that coordinates the sports or physical actfvity on behalf of the
qualifying youth/child.
9. All approvals will be subject to funding availability through the All Kids Can Play Fund .
Applicatfons must be submitted between January 15 and November 30. Funds will be distributed evenly
over all spring/summer and fall/winter actfvitfes.
Application Procedure
All Kids Can Play (AKCP) Applicatfons are to be completed by the responsible parent or guardian of the
child in questfon. The following is required when the applicatfon is sent into Sport Aurora:
1. That the applicant’s Sport Organizatfon agrees to the applicatfon. The applicant must contact the
Club/Organizatfon in order to complete the informatfon asked on the applicatfon.
2. The applicant’s contact name, number, mailing address and signature from the Organizatfon verifying
informatfon is correct and complete.
3. Applicant registratfon must be confirmed by the Sport Organizatfon to the All Kids Can Play Program.
4. The applicatfon must be sent into Sport Aurora, 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON, L4G 6J1
5. A copy of the applicants Income assessment must accompany the applicatfon.
6. The applicatfon can be delivered by email or direct mail.
7. All applicatfons and informatfon are confidentfal and protected from disclosure.
8. Once applicatfon is assessed, the applicant is contacted via email.
9. Applicatfons are assessed once a month.
Page 10 of 42
10. Once the Applicants registratfon is confirmed by email, a confirmatfon of approval is sent to both the
applicant and the sport Organizatfon.
11. A cheque for the approved amount will then be sent directly to the Sport Organizatfon for all
approved applicatfons.
12. Applicatfons from Welcoming Arms are pre-approved as are those from Principals of schools and
church pastors.
Marketing and Communications Plan
The goal of the All Kids Can Play Marketfng Plan is two-fold:
A) An Outreach Program is proposed to inform the public and potentfal families of the All Kids Can Play
Program. It important that this Outreach Program is targeted to various known agencies that work
directly with families in need. Public Awareness is important as well so that the Community is fully
aware of the Program and that the Program receives high visibility and referrals.
B) A Donor and Sponsor Recruitment Plan is to be updated to:
1. Encourage more donatfons of funds for distributfon to families in need.
2. Identffy Sponsors of the AKCP Program to financially support the Outreach and administratfon costs
associated with the recruitment of applicants.
3. Celebrate and recognize donors and sponsors publicly.
Strategies
A) Social Media Campaign
The social media campaign for All Kids Can Play includes all social media platiorms and email
newsletters. The Sport Aurora Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter page regularly posts features
about the Program to reach as wide of an audience as possible and gain visibility online. The features
will include videos, testfmonials and thank-you’s to donors and sponsors. Through email newsletters, the
All Kids Can Play Committee reaches out to schools to create a partnership. This partnership allows the
schools to send the details of All Kids Can Play out to the parents of all the
students. The targeted schools will be those that are earmarked for financial difficulty. Emails are also
sent to as many people as possible in the Sport Aurora Database to spread awareness of the program.
B) Advertising Campaign
The advertfsing campaign includes a proposed quarterly ad in The Auroran newspaper.
The campaign also includes promotfonal material such as posters and brochures that are available
through partners, donors and sponsors. All Kids Can Play posters are posted in municipal sports facilitfes
and all high-traffic locatfons where approved. Likewise, as part of the school partnership, posters are
placed in approved schools. Churches will be engaged through Welcoming Arms.
Page 11 of 42
C) Public Relations Campaign
The goal of the public relatfons campaign includes outreach to the general public to increase awareness
of this Program. This will be done through media releases of gratftude afler donatfons. The idea that
every tfme there is a donatfon – there’s a picture, there’s a story, it will show people where their money
goes. This is a proven strategy to connect with people. A call for a video intern has been made and this
will contribute to the creatfon of a video about the All Kids Can Play program with a feasible budget
provided by Sport Aurora.
Terms
Who is a Donor?
A donor is a person or organizatfon that donates money to the All Kids Can Play program and is to be
used exclusively for family support of registratfon fees. The donatfons go towards the sports program
registratfon fees required for the kids to partfcipate. A donor can be an Organizatfon an Agency or an
individual.
Who is a Sponsor?
A sponsor is an organizatfon, and Agency or an individual who provides financial support to the All Kids
Can Play Program to help fund the Outreach Program as well as the administratfon of the Program
required to qualify applicants.
Request for Funding
The Aurora Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic has previously donated $5000.00 per event in 2015, 2017 &
2019.
We request a total of $5000.00 in 2024 of which 20% will be considered a sponsorship and will be used
to outreach to the general public and the remainder to be used for direct support of children in need.
We thank you in advance for your consideratfon of our request.
Page 12 of 42
Page 13 of 42
Page 14 of 42
52 West Beaver Creek Rd., Unit 4, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1L9
Crisis & Support Line (phone or text):1-800-263-3247
Administration: 905-709-0900 Toll Free: 1-800-263-2231
Charitable Registration Number:11910 5187 RR0001
www.yellowbrickhouse.org @yellowbrckhouse
June 12, 2024
Dear Mayor's Charity Golf Fund,
RE: Yellow Brick House, Break the Silence, Step in My Shoes Walk Sunday,
November 3, 2024 10 am-12noon
I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. Since our founding in 1978, Yellow
Brick House has been a steadfast provider of essential services to women and children
escaping domestic violence and abuse, growing into one of Ontario's largest support
organizations. Our mission is to deliver life-saving support and prevention programs
tailored to the diverse needs of individuals, families, and communities affected by
violence.
Last year, the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) reported
the loss of 67 women and children to gender-based violence, averaging one woman or
child per week. In November, during Woman Abuse Prevention Month (Domestic
Violence Awareness Month), we honour those affected and advocate for change.
to our "Break the Silence, Step in My Shoes" walk, which will directly support our
"Nights of Safety Program" at our emergency shelters. Yellow Brick House operates 41
beds and 10 cribs, but only 25 beds are funded. Due to the tragic loss of lives last year,
the need for shelter is more urgent than ever.
The event will be held at St. Andrew's College in Aurora, drawing participants from
across York Region. This influx will not only boost the local economy but also provide
an opportunity for businesses to engage with our cause. In 2023, our walk saw over 260
participants and raised $118,000. This year, we aim to surpass both participant
numbers and funds raised.
As a Aurora Chamber of Commerce member, Yellow Brick House is committed to
enhancing community prosperity and supporting local businesses. We are proud to
announce that Wicked Eats, a local restaurant, will provide lunch for participants, and
several other local Aurora restaurants have also contributed in support.
Page 15 of 42
52 West Beaver Creek Rd., Unit 4, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1L9
Crisis & Support Line (phone or text):1-800-263-3247
Administration: 905-709-0900 Toll Free: 1-800-263-2231
Charitable Registration Number:11910 5187 RR0001
www.yellowbrickhouse.org @yellowbrckhouse
Hosting our walk at St. Andrew's College, an all-male institution, offers an excellent
opportunity for young men to stand in solidarity with the women in our community. It
also allows Aurora residents to:
Visit the school and learn about breaking the silence against domestic violence.
Access our resources, knowing that the Town of Aurora stands firmly with
women and children seeking safety.
Partnering with the Town of Aurora Mayor's Golf Fund through a generous $5,000
donation will significantly amplify the impact of this event. Increased visibility will attract
more participants and sponsors and encourage greater community engagement and
awareness of domestic violence, ultimately leading to a larger turnout and heightened
fundraising potential.
We deeply appreciate your support and consideration. If you have any questions or
need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Pamela Deveaux
Manager, Fund Development
Yellow Brick House
905-709-0900 ext. 2255
pamelad@yellowbrickhouse.org
Page 16 of 42
Page 17 of 42
Page 18 of 42
Page 19 of 42
Page 20 of 42
Page 21 of 42
Page 22 of 42
Page 23 of 42
Page 24 of 42
Page 25 of 42
Page 26 of 42
Page 27 of 42
Page 28 of 42
Page 29 of 42
Page 30 of 42
Page 31 of 42
Page 32 of 42
Page 33 of 42
Page 34 of 42
Page 35 of 42
Page 36 of 42
Page 37 of 42
Page 38 of 42
Page 39 of 42
Page 40 of 42
Page 41 of 42
June 10, 2024
Greetings,
On behalf of The Optimist Club of Aurora we would like to apply for a grant to be awarded from the
Annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament. We are a service group who support the community of Aurora in
various ways but mainly and more importantly the “youth” of Aurora. Our motto is Bringing out the
best in the Youth of Aurora.
We have many initiatives that are typically the same year after year but each year the needs in Aurora
continue to grow, and we must continue to find ways to raise funds to help address these needs. We
support in service or funds to such things as Art Shows, Scholarships, Music Programs, Essay Contests,
Youth Sports, High School Mentoring Programs, Youth Mental Health Needs. One of the highlights of
our year is the Optimist Annual Chess Tournament, open to all schools in Aurora with winners in each
category moving on to Regionals. The latter has been a staple in our budget for years. Our newer
initiatives are programs centering around feeding and clothing children in Aurora whose families are
struggling due to Financial or Personal hardship.
A few years ago, we had requests from 2-3 schools in Aurora who needed funds to help with their
Healthy Snacks Programs. At first it was Elementary but just recently we have requests from a High
School as well. At present we are supporting 6 schools twice a year. We are just a small portion but a
valuable part of their support system. Their main support will be withdrawing this coming school
year. We are determined to continue with our current levels but anticipate their needs will increase,
as well as the probability that more schools will need assistance, due to the loss of their main support.
Most recently we have been avid supporters of the KIND program…. Kids In Need Delivered. This
program supports emergency types of requests, a school or neighbour or another community group
contacts our liaisons with specific needs a child or families may have, mostly clothing, especially shoes
and boots etc. Recently we have had requests for a couple of children who needed glasses. With the
help of our local Optician, we were able to purchase much-needed pairs for these youngsters.
Our main source of fundraising is our Mobile Kitchen which is used for BBQ’s at schools and
community events. At present we are tracking income at $10,000 with an expense at $17,000 for
programs and donations. We would like to apply for a $5,000 grant but of course would be grateful for
whatever denomination may be granted. As detailed above, this money would be well spent on youth
in Aurora, specifically to maintain our level of support for the Snacks and KIND programs. Thank you
for the opportunity to apply.
Carol Bartlett, Treasurer 2023-2024
Page 42 of 42