THUNDER BAY – Albert Aiello says without the help of the Thunder Bay Community Foundation, a lot of charities around the city would be able to do a lot less for its residents.
Aiello’s Boys and Girls Club was one of 21 non-profits that received a grant on Wednesday night at the ceremony, which saw a total of $282,000 in grants handed out.
It’s a thought he’d rather not have running around his head.
“In the room today we’re going to have several charities that are all very passionate about the work they do in the community," Aiello said. "There are limited dollars overall for everybody. We all, in some way, compete for the same dollars.
“For non-profits like ours, and we’re a true non-profit, money is very hard to come by and it’s the goodness and the generosity of people that are involved with the Community Foundation that allow us to do the work that we do on a daily basis.”
Foundation president George Badanai, who hosted the grant ceremony at his Memorial Avenue car dealership, said they received 83 applications this year, totaling $639,000.
Almost all were worthy and it’s not easy narrowing them down, he said.
“We make the tough decision of 30 non-profits to receive money,” Badanai. “It’s tough, but it’s a wonderful process where tonight we get to give out nearly $300,000.”
The Thunder Bay Community Foundation is only successful because of the generosity of the people who live in the city, he added.
“It supports itself. In the time of need we always find the citizens of Thunder Bay come through to support those who are in need. It’s really a heartwarming event,” Badanai said.
Lesley Bell, chair of the grants committee, agreed it’s not easy figuring out who to give the money to each year.
“The grants committee read each application knowing how important these dollars would be for the organization. We fall in love with the projects and wish we had a greater pool of funds to give out,” Bell said.
Recipients include the Thunder Bay Symphony’s Youth Orchestra, Save our Songbirds, the Coalition for Waverly Park, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Shelter House, St. James School, Blessings in a Back Park, Roots to Harvest and Magnus Theatre.
