The Stark Family Fund, held within the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, granted $70,969 to 14 local community projects on June 9.  The fund was established in 2003 through a bequest from the Stark sisters, a family of five siblings who wanted to give back to the community that they loved.  Every year, applications from Prince Edward County charities are submitted, carefully screened and thoroughly considered by a committee of local residents.  This year the Stark Family Fund committee and the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area are pleased to announce the funding of the following fantastic projects:

Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation: Priority Medical Equipment Replacement for Endoscopy and Pharmacy – $25,000. Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation raises funds to advance health care of patients in Prince Edward County.  In 2016-17 we will fundraise to replace equipment for PECMH’s Pharmacy, Endoscopy, Inpatient and Emergency Departments. Priority equipment needs this year total $258,151.  From the 2016-17 priority medical equipment list the following equipment has been identified for your consideration: GE B850 Monitor and Pharmacy G4 Console upgrade.

The Quinte Children’s Foundation: Continued Expansion into Prince Edward County – $6,000.  The Children’s Foundation is the charitable arm of the Highland Shores Children’s Aid.  On February 9, 2015 The Children’s Foundation expanded into Prince Edward County.  The foundation has been in operation in Hastings County for 23 years and we are now expanding our programs and services to PEC.  The money from this grant would support our Playing for Keeps and our Reach for Success Bursary programs.  These two programs are essential to community development as they provide access to sports/music/arts programs as well as financial assistance to post-secondary students who otherwise would have to do without.

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory: Migration Monitoring Educator – $1,850.  PEPtBO is a migration research station located along the eastern tip of Prince Edward County in the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area.  An important goal of the organization is to educate the public about avian migration and the monitoring we do at the Bird Observatory.  We are seeking funding to increase the public education and outreach component of our activities through installation of a portable classroom to be used during May and October by our Migration Monitoring educator.

Festival Players of Prince Edward County: Made in the County 10th Anniversary Season – $2,500.  In 2016, Festival Players will celebrate its 10th Anniversary.  To mark the occasion, the company will produce three new works by, for and about Prince Edward County.  Commissioning and producing original work is a crucial step in the company’s growth and evolution.

County of Prince Edward Public Library: Prince Edward County Makerspaces – $1,500.  We are creating two makerspaces with a teen focus.  Makerspaces are centres where people and tools can come together to conceive, experiment, design and create anything.  They have the power to inspire, entertain and connect.  Construction of the first is underway in our Picton branch.  Along with our 3D printer, we have invested in beginner circuitry, green screen technology, basic robotics and magnetics for Picton’s space and we have committed to create a lab to serve the teens of Wellington as well.  The Stark grant would be used to both enhance Picton’s space and lay the foundation for Wellington’s program.

Wellington United Church: Commercial Dishwasher Replacement – $3,000.  Stark Family Fund grant would assist in the replacement and installation costs of a commercial dishwasher at Wellington United Church in Wellington, Prince Edward County.  We have been fundraising the money needed but because of the demographics of our congregation need outside financial help to reach our final goal.  Then we will be able to continue to fulfill two key missions of our church: 1) Working with Storehouse Foodbank to achieve local food security 2) To provide support for budding food entrepreneurs in our community who are committed to the ideas of local food security and sustainability 3) provide support for a number of senior and community groups by providing MOH inspected kitchen facilities.

Food to Share: Food to Share Educational Component – $1,600.  Food to Share’s mandate is to reduce food insecurity in Prince Edward County.  Food to Share takes produce donated by local farmers and with the help of volunteers picks and prepares healthy, nutritious meals for local food banks.  Response from the community has been overwhelming making it possible to gather 12,000 pounds of fresh produce and prepare 4,000 meals in 2015.  Clearly food insecurity is an important issue for County residents.  This grant will fund development of an educational component aimed at reducing food insecurity in the County focusing on the benefits of fresh food for health and disease prevention.

Food to Share: Operationalizing Food to Share – $1,600.  Food to Share’s mandate is to reduce food insecurity.  Food to Share takes produce donated by local farmers and with the help of volunteers picks and prepares healthy, nutritious meals for local food banks.  Community response has been overwhelming making it possible to gather 12,000 pounds of fresh produce and prepare 4,000 meals since September 2015.  All efforts have gone into the coordination of food donations and cooking events.  It is now necessary to operationalize the initiative.  This grant will fund development and documentation of business plans and practices so Food to Share can operate efficiently and effectively going forward.

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association: Helping Seniors Stay Active – $3,000.  2016 marks 39 years that Prince Edward Community Care has been supporting seniors to live at home.  Active living and quality foot care help seniors maintain a good quality of life.  Community Care is seeking equipment and supplies for our thriving foot care and Tai Chi programming offered to seniors in the County.

Rotary Club of Picton: Awards and Bursaries to Prince Edward Collegiate Grads – $5,750.  Five $1,000 Stark Family Fund Awards to five deserving graduates of Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.  Three $250 Stark Fund bursaries to three deserving Prince Edward Collegiate graduates who will be attending Loyalist College subsequent to graduation.  The recipients will all be determined by Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.  The awards will be received during the Prince Edward Collegiate Institute’s graduation ceremony.

Recreation Outreach Centre: GUY TIME program – $7,500.  GUY TIME is a 7 week program offering 6 weeks in-school & a field trip experience.  The program is hosted weekly at 5 schools across PEC for ALL boys in grade 7&8.  The program supports personal, social and emotional development creating a sense of belonging in participant’s school and larger community.  GUY TIME promotes healthy relationships & unique opportunities with an additional focus on identifying risky behaviours in male youth and developing appropriate preventative strategies.  The grant will cover GUY TIME program food, snacks, supplies, activity fees and transportation.  Your investment will ensure ROC’s ability to provide a barrier-free program, ensuring that all boys have the opportunity to participate in this enriching program.

Reaching for Rainbows: RFR Food, Fun and Families – $2,172.  Reaching for Rainbows is a non-profit after-school program which provides a safe place for 30 girls in grades one to four who are some of the most vulnerable children in our community.  This structured, play-based learning program provides a caring atmosphere contributing to the development of healthy, confident, successful young girls.  Particular emphasis is placed on relationships, conflict resolution, problem solving and decision making skills.  The Food, Fun and Families project would fund daily snacks for the girls and two annual meals, one in the autumn and one in the spring whereby the Rainbows team and the families of the Rainbows girls could share a celebratory meal.

County of Prince Edward: Museums of PEC deVries Taxidermy Collection Project – $7,500.  The County Museums have an opportunity to acquire an extensive and local private collection of nearly 500 natural history specimens, taxidermy, crafted by the late County resident, Jake deVries.  They range from waterfowl to songbirds, mammals to reptiles to fish.  Ameliasburgh Heritage Village has identified its “Green Barn” as the preferred home for the collection.  Although the building has ample space, it requires upgrades to be suitable for the collection.  We respectfully request a grant from the Stark Family Fund for an HVAC system that will provide appropriate environmental conditions for the specimens to ensure their long-term preservation.

County Clippers: Junior Jammers Basketball Adapters – $1997.52.  The County Clippers currently offer basketball leagues and programs for Prince Edward County youth in grades K-12 and we are in need of new adjustable nets for our “little hoop stars” in grades K-3.  The grant would pay for the purchase of two backboard adapters, which are designed to convert any regulation goal to a lower height.  These adapters would help us to increase the number of young kids in Prince Edward County that are able to stay active all year round.