While shining a light on the incredible efforts of hundreds of local volunteers who touch the lives of countless Brighton and area residents, the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund has announced help for more than a dozen area charities, schools and projects.
“We are blessed to live in a community that has such caring organizations – the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund is so proud to offer this support,” said secretary-treasurer Bruce Davis, on behalf of the board of directors, following the organization’s annual grants presentation at the King Edward Park Community Centre earlier this week.
At the event, about $56,100 worth of grants were announced in support of several local initiatives and projects. The announcement also highlighted the efforts of more than 600 volunteers who support and power organizations forward and help enrich Brighton residents’ lives.
Here’s how the grants will help in the community:
For the Sunny Days group program, a $2,500 grant is helping to expand its day program for 28 adult clients. This translates to more funding for field trips, the arts, computer games, and more.
In Campbellford, a $5,000 grant is helping with the purchase of a new warming cabinet to help keep patients at the hospital warm with blankets and linens.
And Gift from the Heart is also getting a boost through the program.
The organization aims to help people with affordable, urgent dental care for people struggling with low-incomes and who have nowhere else to turn. A $2,500 grant is helping with the purchase of restorative and surgical instruments.
Another $4,000 donation will help the robots take over at Brighton Public Library – sort of. The goal is for kid’s computer programming to be made easier with the grant used to purchase a “classroom-sized OZOBOT kit.”
The Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation is also getting some help through the program with a $5,000 grant towards the purchase of cataract surgical instruments.
Meanwhile, a $2,500 grant for the Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward means help to expand its dementia education and other outreach programs in Brighton.
Brighton Marine Rescue is also getting a helping hand with $2,500 towards the purchase of a “stokes basket” – it’s like a marine stretcher. This equipment will help with extraction in Presqu’ile and Weller’s bays.
Quinte SailAbility – a sailing school for people with physical and developmental disabilities – will also get help through the program, with $1,000 towards repairing its fleet.
The Bridge Hospice in Warkworth is continuing its efforts to provide compassionate end-of-life care, free of charge to area families in need. The Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund is helping the hospice with a $4,000 grant as the organization continues to work to increase awareness of its work and through a direct mail educational campaign in Brighton.
Another $5,000 grant is to help the local family health team launch a “HealthInfo Connect” initiative. Through this, Brighton residents will be able to sign up for an e-newsletter and access a refreshed website to get important health information regularly, it was explained.
At Trinity-St. Andrew’s United Church, a $4,500 grant is helping with a water softener purchase, which is said will expand the life of the community hall’s dishwasher.
For the Victorian Order of Nurses’ (VON) adult day program, a $2,100 boost is helping with the purchase of a medical grade lift chair.
And several area schools and students are getting help through the program.
Amid efforts to re-establish a school band at Spring Valley Public School, a $2,500 grant will help with the purchase of keyboards, trumpets, flutes and clarinets.
At Brighton Public School, drama productions are getting an infusion of $2,500 to further enhance visual experiences for student actors.
Meanwhile, Smithfield Public School’s ambitious playground revitalization project is getting a $2,500 boost.
And East Northumberland Secondary School’s (ENSS) yearbook club is getting $3,000 to help with photography equipment.
Finally, high school grads Todd Burgess and Troi Lytle each received a $2,500 Brighton Masonic United Lodge No. 29 Legacy bursary for their post-secondary learning.
The 2024 announcements mean since 2009 the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund – previously known as the Community Health Grant Program – has awarded more than $705,000, translating to help for dozens of local organizations and projects.
The organization continues its efforts in honour Brian Todd, who passed in 2011. In honour of his life-long community service, the grant program was renamed following the former ENSS principal’s passing. Todd had a passion for improving Brightonians’ quality of life – in particular under local healthcare and education – and it was under his leadership that the Brighton Health Services Centre ultimately came to life.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
