A lot of cash was handed out in Portage la Prairie Tuesday night.

It was the Community Foundation of Portage and District's yearly celebration where they look back at the year and hand out their grants and bursaries. CFPD Executive Director Mary Lynn Moffatt says it was an exciting evening.

"I'm so pleased with the crowd we had out. So much information was shared, and that's important because people need to understand how the money works, and how we can do more if we grow our funds. It's always fun to see the bursaries and the young people that are benefitting from the funds that have come in. Our non-profits are phenomenal in this community and to be able to support them with some wonderful projects that they've come through with. Our ongoing donors that we recognized too because every little bit adds up."

CFPD Executive Director Mary Lynn Moffat saying a few words to kick off the event. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

The CFPD's community endowment fund grew by $401,000 last year and is officially over the $8-million mark. Treasurer Wayne Klippenstein says in terms of the foundation the return on investment is always a big part of the permanent fund.

"We had a little bit of a downturn in returns for 2015-16 but a really great start to 2017. The wonderful thing is the foundation has a policy that maintains reserves, and the stewardship is very strong, so the continued granting to the community is there. Whether there's a blip in the market or something, so that's a very positive part of the foundation."

The Delta Beach Association received a $5,000 grant to replace their play structure that was destroyed in the flood of 2011. Larry Muirhead received the grant on behalf of the Association and couldn't thank the CFPD enough.

"Their record speaks for itself. I've been involved with getting grants from them before, and they've helped my organizations that I've been involved in. If I had a million dollars they'd get a part of it, a big part of it."

Bursary winners Wendy Viver, Kaitlyn Squires, Layne Coltart, Dave McLeod, Sydney Taylor, and Madison Lambert. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Sydney Taylor graduated in 2015 and is now pursuing a career in nursing. She was one of two winners of the Dr. Harvey Hassard Memorial Bursary worth $1,000 and she's got another year to go before graduation and was thrilled to receive the support.

"I have no idea why they chose me," laughs Taylor. "I guess I just fit all the requirements but I feel really strongly about nursing, and why I'm in it, and I think that definitely helped me get the award."

Canada 150 Grants were also handed out at Tuesday night's celebration. The winners included Southport, Fort la Reine Museum, ROK Central (Recreation Opportunities For Kids), and the Portage Industrial Exhibition Association. You can find the full list of grants and bursaries handed out and their amounts below.


Grants
Poplar Point and District Community Club - $10,000 for new LED lighting and other upgrades.
Portage Collegiate Institute - $5,000 Weight training equipment.
Portage Community Revitalization Corporation - $15,000 for the development of an accessible playground in Portage.
Portage Tennis Club - $18,000 for court resurfacing.
Habitat For Humanity Portage Chapter - $5,000 -
Portage Industrial Exhibition Association - $10,000 to help with installation of a commercial kitchen at the MNP building.
Portage Service for Seniors - $7,000 to obtain commercial grade cold storage for food programs.
Koko Platz Community Club - $10,000 to assist with the purchase of new playground equipment.
Delta Beach Association - $5,000 to assist with the replacement of playground equipment destroyed in the 2011 flood.
ROK Central (Recreation Opportunities For Kids) and Tupper Street Family Resource Centre - $10,000 for the establishment of a resource centre in of the MB Housing units in the north-west area of Portage la Prairie.
Portage Active Transportation Committee - $5,000 to assist with equipment needed at the community bicycle repair shop in Portage.
Canadian Mental Health Association Central - $7,000 CMHA is evolving their drop-in centre into a recovery college with a focus on possibilities, learning, recovery, and self-management.

Bursaries
Lorraine Rae Memorial Bursary $1,000 - Dave McLeod
Russ Denton Memorial Bursary $725 - Madison Lambert
Dr. Harvey Hassard Memorial Bursary $1,000x2 - Sydney Taylor and Kaitlyn Squires
Dr. Donald William Rae Memorial Bursary $1,000 - Wendy Vivier
Portage Community Development Corporation Bursary $1,000 - Layne Coltart
Kathleen Bjarnson Fund For Music $600 - Westpark School
Jody Lee Fulton Memorial Bursary $1,200 - Not Awarded

Canada 150 Grants
Southport - $8,000 toward a community event celebrating the history of flight training at Southport.
Fort la Reine Museum - Awarded $8,000 toward the production of an audio tour guide devices at the museum.
ROK Central (Recreation Opportunities For Kids) - $8,500 for a mural on the BDO Centre created by youth and local artists in Portage focussing on Canada's 150th birthday.
Portage Industrial Exhibition Association - $6,700 toward the Canada 150 celebration and the 145th Anniversary of the Ex.