The 2017 Oak Tree Project has come to a close after a finale event hosted at the Art Gallery of Guelph.
The event raised $35,000 for Guelph/Wellington charities. Since its inception in 2014, The Oak Tree Project has given away over $110,000.
The 2017 Oak Tree Project invited Guelph and Wellington charities to share how they would use $5,000 to help create a sense of belonging in their community.
The grand prize winner was the Shelldale Better Beginnings Better Futures for programs that support newcomers to the community. The organization won $5,000.
There were also four finalist, each receiving between $1,000 and $3,000: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph; Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington; Focus on Nature; and Guelph Neighborhood Support Coalition.
The judge’s prize went to Guelph Black Heritage Society. They won $2,500.
The Picton Mahoney People’s Choice award went to Shelldale Better Beginnings Better Futures winning the organization another $1,000.
All 20 participating charities will share the remainder of the money raised from the event’s guests, sponsors and supporters.
