The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington (CFGW) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Around the World Gala on Oct. 17, including the presentation of the foundation’s annual awards.
This year, the CFGW’s programs helped provide a transformative year for many local children, brightening their lives, easing the stress in their home and strengthening the community as a whole, officials stated..
CFGW recognized the following award recipients:
– Letter M Marketing awarded the Sandra Weafer Community Champion of the Year. Letter M Marketing helped the CFGW through a daunting task – rebranding its organization. The process was smooth and fun, all thanks to their generosity and fabulous team. The project was led by Jaime Bickerton who voluntarily led the branding audit and Letter M donated design services for the new logos. Letter M has helped brightened the lives of everyone who the CFGW works with.
– Staples awarded the Corporate Sponsor of the Year.
Staples made a huge difference across Canada this year through their 2 Million & Change campaign. The campaign engaged its associates to vote for charities in their region to receive a portion of the $150,000 they distributed across Canada. CFGW was by the region as the charity of choice, receiving a $20,000 USD donation. The donation was put to work immediately and helped support many Food & Friends student nutrition programs, children in the Free to Play program and provided some scholarships.
– Patti Schopp awarded the Volunteer of the Year award.
It is no exaggeration to say that Patti Schopp is one of CFGW most enthusiastic volunteers, officials state. Schopp doesn’t only coordinate one Food and Friends student nutrition programs, she coordinates three at Waverley Drive school – a breakfast, snack and lunch program. She has also taken a leadership role as a mentor and site supervisor for many University of Guelph students. Schopp has brought great enthusiasm to the Children’s Foundation Sunshine Squad – she truly is a ray of sunshine with her big smile and wonderful laugh, foundation officials state.
The foundation helps children and youth reach their full potential through programs that support their intellectual, emotional and physical well-being. This school year, 104 Food and Friends student nutrition programs are operating in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin. So far in 2015, over 950 children have received financial assistance for Sports, art and camp from the Free to Play Program and 18 high school students have received post-secondary scholarships. The foundation is currently gearing up for the Adopt-A-Family program which last year matched up 880 families with donors to provide gifts and groceries for Christmas. All of these programs work together to support the whole child by providing opportunities that ensure a solid foundation for success and well-being.
