2024 Grant Recipients

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby Grant Program received 14 grant applications this year. After careful evaluation of all applications, it is with great pleasure that we announce the disbursement of $10,000 to a variety of community projects in 2024.

We thank all organizations for their applications. We appreciate the dedication and impactful work of each group and we wish you success with your upcoming projects.

We would like to thank our generous sponsors, dedicated participants, and selfless volunteers whose unwavering support and commitment help us maximize the impact of the granting process. It is through your collective efforts and generosity that we are able to realize our goals and make a positive impact in our community. Thank you for your invaluable contributions, which truly make a difference. Stay tuned for pictures.

This $10,000, along with the $12,269 distributed to organizations for their CVO hours, and an additional $2,000 earmarked for Bursaries to be distributed in June 2024, represents a total reinvestment of $24,269 back into the community. The Bursary Application is accessible on our website, and we are accepting applications until May 15th.

2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS OF $10,000

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby is thrilled to announce grant funding in the amount of $1,000 to the Lac du Bonnet Regional Library for the library garden and children’s programming, "How Does Our Garden Grow”.

At the heart of our community, the Lac du Bonnet Regional Library serves as a beacon of learning, connection, and growth. The library’s mission is clear: to provide resources that inform, educate, and enrich the lives of everyone in the community, while offering a safe space for gathering and sharing ideas.

One of the most cherished initiatives, "How Does Their Garden Grow," is truly blooming! 🌻 This project is not just about gardening; it's about instilling a love for nature and community pride in children aged 5-12. Young gardeners learned valuable skills from seed to table, enjoying tasty treats like kale chips, baba ghanoush, and carrot soup.

But their garden is not just about plants—it's about people too. They have witnessed beautiful connections forming between their young participants and older members of the community, who generously share their gardening wisdom.

Thanks to the incredible support from community partners, including the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby, the library garden has thrived. In 2024, they have exciting plans to further enhance the space with the addition of a gazebo, raised garden planters, and more. The ultimate goal is to create a warm, inclusive space where everyone feels welcome. With continued support and generosity, they are turning this vision into reality to cultivate a brighter, greener future for the community! 🌿

The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association (LdBWA) has been granted $1,250.00 towards constructing specialized benches with galvanized steel frames to accommodate participants, spectators, and students during instructional activities at the Outdoor Education Centre (OEC). These benches, strategically placed across the trap, archery, and main ranges, will ensure stability and deter theft. With volunteer support from the LdBWA, we aim to complete this project efficiently.

LdBWA aims to enhance outdoor experiences by completing the Outdoor Education Centre (OEC) and shooting facility. They’re committed to providing nature and outdoor education, particularly for children and youth, filling a crucial gap in the region.

They've already made significant progress, with completed rifle, small arms, trap, and archery ranges, along with orientation seminars and a planned “First Shot” learn-to-shoot programs in collaboration with the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.

Their programs cater to all ages, with a focus on youth, empowering them with outdoor skills and fostering a sense of wildlife conservation stewardship. They aspire for participants to become ambassadors of conservation, making the OEC a unique and invaluable asset in Western Canada.

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby is pleased to announce grant funding to the Lac du Bonnet Community Garden in the amount of $1,000. This will enable the Lac du Bonnet Community Garden to expand the garden capacity. They will use the funds for irrigation line extensions, completion of the greenhouse which requires potting tables for early spring planting and autumn harvest preparation and to improve accessibility to tools and equipment in our garden shed. They foster a gardening community to enhance food security and promote mental and physical well-being through inclusive practices. Their Growing the Garden Project aims to address several community needs:

1. Access to Garden Spaces: They offer both individual and communal plots for annual rental, providing opportunities for outdoor activity and gardening education.

2. Community Building: By bringing together diverse community members, they promote social connections and relationships.

3. Supporting the Food Bank: They contribute directly to the Lac du Bonnet Food Bank through donations of fresh produce.

4. Youth Engagement: They actively involve youth in food production, leadership roles, and volunteer opportunities.

5. Addressing Food Costs: Through education on healthy meal preparation and food preservation, they empower individuals to access affordable and nutritious foods year-round, contributing to food security.

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby proudly announces grant funding to Survivor's Hope Crisis Centre in the amount of $1,250 for their Protecting Youth Mental Health Project.

Survivor's Hope Crisis Centre partners with communities to provide hope and healing through support and education, focusing on the Interlake-Eastern region of Manitoba. As the sole sexual assault and violence resource center in rural areas. They offer crucial support to under-resourced communities.

Their mission centers on supporting survivors of sexual violence, educating the public and youth on consent and healthy relationships, and advocating for policy change. With rising rates of sexual violence among youth, especially through digital platforms, they aim to address the fear and anxiety this creates, along with the associated mental health challenges.

Their Sexual Assault Discussion Initiative (SADI) Program plays a vital role in schools, but they recognize the need to enhance it for better engagement and effectiveness. Through interactive workshops, including activities and games, they aim to improve learning outcomes and provide better support to students.

Feedback from students and teachers will guide workshop modifications, ensuring they meet the needs of the community. These enhanced workshops will be delivered starting in September, with ongoing evaluation to measure success and impact.

This project aims to better support youth, educate them on staying safe online, recognizing unhealthy relationships, and caring for their mental health. Together, Survivor's Hope Crisis Centre and the Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby are making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby is thrilled to announce a grant funding in the amount of $1,000 to the Royal Canadian Legion Lac du Bonnet Branch #164 towards their Air Conditioning Unit Replacement Project. This vital project ensures a comfortable environment for our Veterans, members, and the community. The Legion hosts a variety of community functions including bingo, cribbage, bridge, darts, and more.

Additionally, the Legion offers its facilities for weddings, funerals, graduations, and community meetings. With certified kitchen facilities and a memorandum of agreement with Emergency Management, the Legion stands ready to provide emergency accommodation and essential services. Serving a population of approximately 5,000 full-time residents and over 15,000 seasonal residents, the Legion is committed to the comfort and well-being of all who utilize its facilities.

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby is pleased to announce grant funding to Boreal Shores Art Tour Incorporated (BSAT) in the amount of $500. The Boreal Shores Art Tour will take place over 2 days on August 17 & 18, 2024. The tour is a free, self-guided driving tour featuring individual artist studios & group artist locations throughout Eastern Manitoba, from the Eastern Beaches of Lake Winnipeg in the North, through Powerview-Pine Falls, Silver Falls, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa & Whitemouth to Falcon Beach in the South. The 2024 Tour features 41 artists at 31 stops.

The Boreal Shores Art Tour aims to showcase local artists in Eastern Manitoba. They strive to raise awareness about their work, foster community connections, and support both established and emerging artists. Through partnerships with community organizations, they create opportunities to display artists' work. Visitors receive a Tour Brochure containing artist descriptions, maps, and instructions. The event, organized by volunteers, encourages exploration of the region and provides a platform for artists to sell their work. BSAT engages visitors with a Tour Passport, allowing them to enter a prize draw by collecting stamps at each location. Feedback from surveys helps them improve the experience. Join them in celebrating art and community in Eastern Manitoba!

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby has provided grant funding of $500.00 towards the Snack Program Project at Lac du Bonnet Senior School towards the cost of food supplies. This project will serve the students in two ways:

1. Addressing Basic Needs: The school will provide students with a daily nutritious snack, ensuring they are better equipped to focus and engage in class. Research shows that hungry students face challenges in staying attentive during learning.

2. Building Skills and Community Engagement: The students will develop healthy meal plans, manage budgets, and practice teamwork and time management. This experience fosters leadership and cultivates habits that extend into adulthood.

Students will prepare snacks daily gaining kitchen and food safety skills. Through this program, participants may even obtain their Food Handler's Certificate.

Students benefit from nutritious snacks, exposure to new foods, and sustained energy for effective learning. The school will address food insecurity issues prevalent in the community, positively impacting academic performance and overall well-being. This initiative addresses a critical need within the community.

The Lac du Bonnet Wildlife Association (LdBWA) received $500 in Grant Funding towards benches and tables to provide resting spots for anglers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts.

As an affiliate of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, their goal is to enhance the quality of life in Eastern Manitoba by protecting and nurturing the habitat. LdBWA fosters community engagement and education regarding natural resources.

The LdBWA Ponds serve as a hub for outdoor recreation, featuring picnic sites, interpretive trails, and a stocked trout pond. These amenities connect people with nature. Annually stocked and heavily utilized, the ponds offer economic benefits to the community through visitor spending.

Recent upgrades have already improved the area. Excavation work and the installation of wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms have increased fish habitat and angling opportunities. They aim to expand these benefits by installing benches on existing platforms and adding two wheelchair-accessible picnic tables, secured with donated ground anchors.

These enhancements not only promote inclusivity and enjoyment of the outdoors but also contribute to the reputation of the Lac du Bonnet Ponds as a premier fishing destination, attracting visitors from across Manitoba and beyond.

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby is excited to announce a $500 grant to the Lac du Bonnet Cross-Country Ski Club Incorporated for their Skandic Repair Project. The club's mission is to maintain cross-country ski trails in the R.M. of Lac du Bonnet Agassiz Forest, promoting skiing as a healthy winter activity.

Maintenance of the Skandic is crucial for grooming trails. With basic operating costs covered by donations and volunteer efforts, securing funds for repairs is vital. The deteriorating 2009 Ski-Doo Skandic track requires replacement before the 2024/25 ski season. This project aims to help fulfill the club's mandate, providing safe and well-groomed trails for the community and beyond.

The Lac du Bonnet Ice Fishing Derby proudly announces a $500 grant to Whitemouth School for their Inclusive Skating Initiatives Project. Whitemouth School is dedicated to fostering a safe and positive learning environment that encourages students to reach their full academic potential and embrace their personal, social, and global responsibilities. With a student body of 187 spanning from kindergarten to grade 12, the school is renowned for its close-knit community atmosphere, despite its remote location attracting students from a large geographical area.

This initiative seeks to boost student engagement in sports and physical activities, focusing particularly on inclusive skating initiatives to address the need for belonging, leadership, and community. By promoting health and wellness, enhancing educational and skill development opportunities, and providing access to sports facilities and equipment, the project aims to enrich the lives of students and foster essential life skills such as teamwork and perseverance.

The project will involve purchasing 30 hockey helmets with cages to facilitate safe skating activities. Beyond benefiting students, this project will positively impact the entire Whitemouth community by ensuring equal access to skating activities and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Collaboration with local sports organizations and community members will ensure the success and sustainability of the initiative. Engaging these partners will foster community involvement and support for the project.

In conclusion, the skating initiative in Whitemouth demonstrates a commitment to student well-being, safety, and community engagement through inclusive sports participation. By providing the necessary safety equipment and promoting physical activity, the project aims to create a supportive environment where all members of the community can benefit from recreational opportunities and develop essential life skills.

2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS

2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS OF $10,000

16 YEARS OF GRANT FUNDINg

$115,344.25

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$115,344.25 〰️