Tbaytel saw a few small changes make a big difference in our region as this year’s Tbaytel for Good Community Fund saw more winners than ever before.
Since 2013 the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund has been providing financial support to schools, community groups, not-for-profit organizations and charities who work to make our region a better place. It’s funded art projects, community safety groups, sports teams and harm reduction organizations to name a few. To-date the fund has received 544 submissions, funding 102 projects in 23 communities with a total of $336,342.
This year’s Tbaytel for Good Community Fund, which ran from April 11 until the winner’s announcement on June 15, has awarded a total of $30,000 to six incredible projects that will do great things in their communities. It also saw a couple of small but exciting changes for 2023 as submissions could be for any amount up to $10,000, allowing for the possibility of numerous winners this year.
Selections were made by a panel of diverse community judges rather than public voting to ensure the maximum amount of good can be done throughout northern Ontario.
“This year the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund received 40 incredible submissions from across northern Ontario,” said Tbaytel Communication Coordinator Jamie Smith.
Based on the judging panel, the six winners are:
- Thunder Bay Free Store: $1,500 – The Thunder Bay Free Store will fund a community care centre project, a youth holiday gift drive, and help re-stock supplies at the store.
- Thunder Bay Emergency Shelter: $5,064 – The Thunder Bay Emergency Shelter will purchase several picnic tables, including two accessible tables, for its outdoor picnic area so people and families living in poverty can enjoy a nourishing hot meal in a healthy outdoor environment.
- Eighth Street Trails Committee: $5,200 – The Eighth Street Trails Committee in Fort Frances will purchase equipment, trail enhancements and new signage to improve their walking and cross-country ski trails.
- St. Patrick High School: $10,000 – St. Patrick High School in Thunder Bay will purchase equipment for its Clover Café, which will be managed and run by Hospitality and Tourism students, teachers and volunteers. All proceeds from the café will be donated to local charities.
- Thunder Bay Drug Awareness Committee: $4,118 – The committee will purchase and rent equipment for its 10th Rockin’ Recovery event, which provides inspiring storytelling, world-class musical performances and a safe and friendly experience.
- Marathon & District Senior Citizens Club: $4,118 – The club will purchase storage, kitchen and recreation equipment to optimize its ability to serve its more than 100 members.
Tbaytel is proud to have the Tbaytel for Good Community fund play such an important role in its dedication to being a good neighbor and giving back to the communities that support it.
“We look forward to seeing these six winning projects do great things for our region and would like to thank everyone for participating in this year’s community fund,” Smith said.
“We would also like to thank the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund Judge’s Panel for all of their hard work in selecting the winning projects.”
Videos and descriptions of the 2023 winners and past Tbaytel for Good Community Fund winners can be viewed online.
