Two Significant Community Grants Given To Scout House
It didn’t take long for Preston Scout House Band Inc. to acknowledge significant financial support from two long-time donors this year: the annual Spring Ahead free family concert presented as a thank you for continuing community support took place shortly after the City of Cambridge and the Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation (CNDCF) each announced 2017 grants to Scout House.
The City of Cambridge donated $5,000 to Scout House in late March as part of its policy of providing annual support for various community groups. The city support this year is higher than anticipated. In 2016, Scout House received $4,000 from the city, a reduction from previous years because of civic financial constraints. This year, City council approved a motion to bump Scout House back up to the traditional $5,000 grant in recognition of the group’s value to the community.
Support from the city continues a tradition of civic support for Scout House that dates back to the 1940s, when the Town of Preston council began providing annual grants. Preston, Galt and Hespeler are the three original communities that are now distinct neighbourhoods in the City of Cambridge.
Scout House has received a DNDCF grant through the William and Vera Fisher Family Fund for more than 10 years. This year’s total grant amount is $1,037.50.
The CNDCF builds and manages endowment funds to help build a stronger community. By working together and partnering with local organizations and caring citizens the CNDCF provides grants to worthy local causes. The goal is to support a wide range of initiatives which sustain and improve the quality of life in Cambridge and North Dumfries.
CNDCF is part of Canada’s community foundation movement. The Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) has been connecting donors to community needs and opportunities since 1921.
CFC now represents more than 190 community foundations across the country, serving 82% of Canada’s population. Together the community foundations hold combined assets of more than $3.8 billion and return hundreds of millions of dollars back into communities annually.
Preston Scout House Band, Inc. is a non-profit corporation with registered charity status able to issue tax receipts to donors, incorporated under the Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario on November 29, 1956.
The multi-unit organization offers individuals of any age the opportunity to “Arrange the soundtrack of your life” in marching arts activities starting as young as age 8 and continuing throughout life. These units are:
*Preston Scout House Cadets drum and bugle corps for young men and women up to age 22, Silver Award winners at the 2016 Drumline Ontario provincial championships.
*Preston Scout House Band, rebuilding in 2017 for resumption of full activity in 2018, is for those over age 18, performing concerts, parades and field shows annually across southern Ontario and neighbouring states. A special heritage band including current and former members dating back to the late 1940s will march in Preston’s Canada Day parade on July 1. More than 100 marching members are expected to participate.
*Silver Leaves brass ensemble and percussion accompaniment, which rehearses in the winter for appearances at drum corps and community events throughout the year.
*Magic of Scout House competitive winter guard, established in the fall of 2014 and undefeated in its first three seasons of North East Color Guard Circuit contests.
*Heritage Drill Team, with members wearing tight black shorts, knee socks, short sleeved burgundy tunics, white gauntlets and Aussie hats as in the 1950 and ‘60s.
For more information about Preston Scout House Band Inc. activities, contact telephone (519) 653-3376, email prestonscouthouseband [dot] adm [at] sympatico [dot] ca or visit the website at: scouthouseband.com
