Two communities in East Central Saskatchewan each received a donation of $5,000.00 from Western Financial Group to aid in recovery from last year’s flooding. The donation was a part of the Canadian Red Cross community grants program which provides financial assistance to affected communities. The Town of Langenburg will be using the funds to repair damage to the local rink, while Saltcoats Regional Park will relocate their play structure after flooding made it unsafe to use.
“The funding provided through this Community Projects Grant Program will help to strengthen community resiliency, capacity and overall quality of life for those impacted by the recent flooding,” said Melanie Horton, Outreach Coordinator from the Canadian Red Cross.
“We are so proud to be able to give this money to help our community continue to recover after last summer’s flood,” said Garner Weeks, Western Financial Group Branch Manager in Yorkton. “It is wonderful that our branch can contribute to restoring these facilities for the benefit of all community members.”
These funds were donated through Western Financial Group’s chartiable arm, the Western Communities Foundation which gives back to the communities where Western Financial Group operates in the areas of public health, public housing, education and recreation.
To qualify, each community selected met the following four objectives:
1. Benefit members of the community;
2. Assist with community resources or programs eliminated or affected by Saskatchewan flooding in 2014;
3. Address imminent health and/or safety problems related to Saskatchewan flooding in 2014; or,
4. Enhance mitigation and preparedness of future disasters.
Affected communities were able to use the grant program to help reinforce or repair local services damaged by the flooding such as sport, recreational and cultural facilities. Community-led projects like restoring a community park, repairing damaged rink equipment, or acquiring generators to prepare for the next disaster are examples of projects that were eligible for grants.
