Grow Glenboro yields big returns for local organizations
Grow Glenboro, a community-driven fundraiser that allocates 50 per cent of its proceeds to Minor Sports and the remaining 50 per cent to local improvement projects, marked the completion of its fundraising cycle on Saturday night with the presentation of funds at the Glenboro Legion Hall. As the holiday season approaches, the success of Grow Glenboro’s first field delivered an early Christmas gift to local groups, a gift rooted in community effort, generosity, and a shared vision for the future.
Frank Stevens one of the committee members reported that their first field of Soybeans, proved to be very successful with a profit of $63,000 after covering expenses in the area of $22,000. “Yeah, we felt a little bit like Santa handing out the cheques,” chuckled Stevens. The overall funds raised was $85,000 with expenses of $22,000 leaving a nice profit of $63,000. Twenty-three thousand has been held back to be used to put in this coming year’s crop of corn. Stevens commented that corn is quite a bit more costly to plant and harvest, but it can generate even higher yields and profits.
The evening wrapped up with cheques being handed out to a few local groups. Ron Jefferies accepted $15,000 on behalf of the Spirit Sands Clinic, while Corey Forbes received $10,000 for Glenboro Minor Ball. An equal $10,000 cheque was presented to Brittany Vrooman representing Glenboro Minor Hockey, and the remaining $5,000 was presented to Kyrsten Godard on behalf of the Glenboro Children’s Learning Centre.
Brittany Vrooman expressed her gratitude, commenting that the funds received are a meaningful investment to minor sports and the community. “While we don’t have any immediate plans, we do have a list of potential needs covering everything from jerseys, seating and other equipment which have been identified and will be considered,” said Vrooman thoughtfully adding that the long term benefit will guide how the funds will be ultimately dispersed ensuring they support initiatives that strengthen Glenboro Minor Hockey.
The Glenboro Children’s Learning Centre has been working on a playground project over the past couple of years and Godard commented that the funds will be allocated to improve the outdoor play area.
Rob Gudnason, Glenboro Minor Ball member, commented that funds have been earmarked for a scoreboard project on #1 and #2 ball diamonds; and that there will be more details on that endeavour in the spring.
The Spirit Sands Medical Clinic has been an ongoing project for the past couple of years, and the $15,000 contribution will help see it through to fruition, with completion anticipated this coming spring.
As the Christmas season approaches, Grow Glenboro’s first harvest shows that when neighbours pitch in, everyone shares in the gift.
PHOTO CAPTION: GROW GLENBORO PRESENTATION: (l. to r.) Janice Potvin, Kyrsten Godard, Robert Gudnason, Brittany Vrooman, Frank Stevens, Ron Jefferies, Curt Wytinck, Riley Jefferies and Corey Forbes. PHOTO SUBMITTED
