The Whistler Health Care Foundation (WHCF) has announced the first recipients of its new grant funding program, with more than $50,000 being awarded to non profits in the Sea to Sky.
Recipients include the Garibaldi Volunteer Fire Department, Meadow Park Sports Centre, Options for Sexual Health, Whistler Search and Rescue, Whistler Community Services Society, Squamish Helping Hands Society, Spearhead Huts Society, and Spring Creek Community School.
The new grant funding program—which the WHCF plans to make into an annual initiative—was made possible through $50,000 of seed funding provided by the Goudge Family Foundation.
“We were very happy with the variety and quality of the applications we received,” said Carol Leacy, WHCF chair, in a release. “It is inspiring to see the breadth of health-care related initiatives that our community is undertaking, and we are grateful to be able to contribute to their funding. Thanks go out to the Goudge family and the community for their generous support in making this happen.”
Whistlerite David Goudge was inspired to give back after a trip to Whistler’s emergency clinic in late 2020.
“From the receptionist to the nurses to the doctor, everyone was just remarkably good at what they were doing. I’m just so grateful they’re here,” Goudge told Pique last year.
At Options for Sexual health Whistler, the funds mean “we will be able to extend our sexual health services to provide more members of Whistler's community with inclusive, non-judgemental sexual health education and care,” said coordinator Tessa Spicer in the release.
“We are proud to serve this community and feel fortunate to have local groups such as the Whistler Health Care Foundation and Goudge Family Foundation that support improving access to sexual health care in Whistler.”
Local non-profits are encouraged to sign up for the WHCF newsletter at whistlerhealthcarefoundation.org or follow the foundation on Facebook or Instagram for the latest on grant-funding dates and criteria.
