As it dawned on them the cheque they were holding was for $1,000 a group of local school students gasped.
All members of Kids for Causes at Mountview Elementary School in Williams Lake, the students were among 13 organizations who received money Wednesday at the community policing office on Oliver Street.
The money came from proceeds of July’s RCMP Musical Ride performance in Williams Lake.
“When all the expenses were covered we had $21,000 to share with community groups,” said community policing chair Andy Sullivan. “It was a nice gift.”
Kids for Causes has already made blankets for people who will be at risk in cold weather, given 80 hand warmers out at Remembrance Day and donated two hens, one rooster and a goat to an African village.
And they have have a big list of things they want to do in the future. Among the list are tasks such as making moose stew with all the fixings for people in Boitanio Park, buying Christmas presents for a few children, growing plants for seniors and sewing leashes for the SPCA.
“We have lots of other plans,” said teacher Shelly Peel who heads up the group. “This money we got today will all go back into the community.”
The group meets about once every two weeks, or weekly if something special is going on.
Looking at the students Peel said, “What’s the word I keep telling you guys? That we have to be altruistic.”
Equally as excited about a donation from the fund for the Cariboo Chilcotin Youth Fiddle Society, Candice Magnowski said the money will go toward workshops.
In its second full year the society has seen its numbers double.
“We started out with $500 and have grown to an annual budget of $12,000 to enable us to put on workshops and make it affordable,” Magnowski said.
“It was a leap of faith, for sure.”
Other recipients were the Boys and Girls Club, Seniors Activity Centre, Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Gymnastics Association, Williams Lake Wrestling Club, Williams Lake Speed Skating Association, Cariboo Kennel Club, Horse M Powered Equine Assisted Learning, Lions Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Williams Lake.
Community policing received 30 applications that were reviewed by a committee.
“We decided to put the money where it would affect the most youth,” he told the recipients.
Sullivan also praised Citizens on Patrol chair Bob McIntosh for organizing the musical ride, saying he spearheaded the entire event from start to finish.
McIntosh, however, praised the community for its support.
“To me this was a community event for the community and it was the community that made it happen,” McIntosh said as he looked around the room.
“You should thank yourselves.”
The rodeo grandstand was pretty much full, he added.
“People wanted to see the musical ride and they got a good show.”