MOOSOMIN — A healthy injection of cash came to more than 1,000 charitable groups across the province recently as Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan announced their first-quarter gaming grant recipients. In total, $2.49 million was distributed to organizations in 250 communities.
“Our government is committed to delivering for Saskatchewan communities and one of the ways we do that is through charitable gaming grants,” the Minister Responsible for LGS, Jeremy Harrison, said.
“Proceeds from gaming in Saskatchewan support charitable organizations and activities across the province, including the arts, culture and sport, hospital foundations, service clubs and more.”
The lottery money is earned through local groups participating in charitable gaming activities like bingos, raffles, breakopen ticket sales, Texas hold ‘em poker tournaments and Monte Carlo nights. Equivalent to 25 per cent of the total money raised from each event, the grants max out at $100,000 per group annually.
Moosomin received a total of $2,858.24, with local recipients being the Play Fair Daycare, which received $180.25; the Moosomin branch of the Royal Canadian Legion No. 81, with $1,321.74; the U11 Rangers gaining $56.25; and the U11 AA Moosomin Ice Badgers receiving $1,300.
Groups in Esterhazy were granted a total of $4,044.90, with the Angels of Hope Animal Rescue Inc. receiving $995.56; the Esterhazy Energizers Gymnastics Club granted $2,662.10; and the Esterhazy Knights of Columbus Council 5249 gaining $387.24.
In Rocanville, a total of $4,262.31 was distributed, with $85 going to the Rocanville Band Parents Association, and $4,177.31 to the Rocanville Town & Country Golf Club.
Organizations in Redvers received a combined total of $5,109, with the Redvers & District Lions Club granted $3,765.06; the Redvers & District Recreation Centre gaining $155; Redvers Minor Hockey receiving $1,141.44; and the Redvers Volunteer Fire Department gaining $47.50.
In Whitewood, the only group to receive a lottery grant was the Whitewood Band Parents Association with $458.63.
Over the Kipling, the Kipling and District Lions Club were also the only group to receive grant money, which totalled $1,444.46.
Wapella’s Silverwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was the sole recipient in their community with $365 in funding.
The Maryfield Auditorium Committee also received $185.63.
In Montmartre, a combined total of $891.13 was granted to the Montmartre Memorial Curling Club Inc., with $664.38; and the Montmartre U7 Ice Dogs receiving $226.75.
In Grenfell, the St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church received $625, and in Broadview, the Broadview Snowbusters were granted $365.
By region, the Prince Albert area received just over $269,000 this quarter, followed by Meadow Lake and area with more than $207,000; the Humboldt-Melfort region with around $148,000; Weyburn-Estevan and area granted more than $119,000; the Yorkton-Melville area with $97,000; and the Swift Current region receiving over $58,000.
The grant amounts paid by LGS to each group vary, calculated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. They look at financial reports and other information submitted by the individual charity after those groups apply through the SLGA’s charitable gaming licensing process.
Once a group receives funding through this program, there are four categories of charitable purpose in which the money can be devoted to — relief of poverty, advancement of education, advancement of religion, and purposes that benefit the community as a whole.
