Fauquier non-profit ‘CARES’ for the community through arts, sports, and music
Residents of Fauquier can continue to enjoy accessible athletics, arts, and events after a local non-profit received funding from the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
The Fauquier Community, Arts, Recreation, and Events Society (CARES) will use a $3,000 Community Development grant for its “low- to no-barrier” activities, said David Snyder, grants and athletics director. A CBT ReDi grant of $3,000 will be adjudicated at the next RDCK regular board meeting on May 16.
“We’re going to get punch passes to try and start up a youth golf club, essentially a free round of golf for the kids paid for by the grant,” said Snyder. “We even have four semi-pros in the area that are able to work with and teach the youth. Just always trying to decrease barriers to entry.”
Snyder explained that it’s equally as important for the golf course to receive the support as it is for the youth.
“This way we’re supporting the community clubs because – like the golf course – they really need the support from the community in order to keep the lights on.”
Some of the grant funds will also pay for hall rentals for hosting other CARES activities and events.
Harmony in Motion is the other new program CARES is starting up with the grant funding. Making use of donated instruments, the society hopes to offer piano, guitar, and drum lessons.
“Just being out where we are, we have to entice instructors to come down this way,” said Snyder, “so hopefully the grant can help with that.”
With other grants, CARES has purchased game equipment like disc golf, bocce, spike ball, and bean bag toss.
“Anyone in the community and anyone that lives within the area are able to borrow any of these activities, free of charge,” said Snyder.
The only problem was that CARES didn’t have a place to store the equipment; it was scattered among the various team members, making borrowing logistics tricky.
“With the ReDi grant, we’re hoping to get a storage container to put in a central location. That way, we’ll know everything is there in one spot for people to borrow,” he said.
It takes a village
Originally called the Parents’ Committee, the society formed after several new parents moved to the community, said Jessica Martin-Thompson, president of CARES. At that time, the committee’s focus was on younger children’s activities.
“But we started hearing from neighbours who didn’t have kids at home anymore who wanted to be involved with the community and with the kids and youth of the community,” she said.
The committee expanded to include all ages, and CARES was officially registered as a formal non-profit last May. Its mission: to create a vibrant community where children, youth, adults, and seniors are engaged in artistic, social, and outdoor pursuits with little to no barriers.
During its first year, CARES hosted various programs and activities dipping into each of its facets: community, arts, recreation, and events.
“There are so many creative people in our community, so we’re tapping into their skillsets,” said Martin-Thompson. “We listen to the community and do what they want to do.”
There have been paint nights, disc golf, needle felting, and a Hallowe’en party. The kids’ day during the Fauq Fest music festival in September was a hit, as was the silent auction fundraiser, said Martin-Thompson.
When asked what her favourite program was, she had a hard time choosing.
“I want to be part of community and I want my kids to understand being part of communities, so for me the best part of CARES is getting to know my neighbours and working together,” she said.
One year celebration
To celebrate its first birthday, CARES will be hosting a gathering on May 26, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Fauquier Outdoor Pavilion. Come out for games like frisbee golf, horseshoes, and tug-o-war, along with a BBQ with cakes and beverages. There will also be a community garage sale.
Rachael Lesosky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Valley Voice
