SUNDRE – Before recently being awarded about $150,000 in grant funding, the Sundre Community Van Association had nearly reached half of a campaign commitment to raise funds for a new bus.
A recent donation brought the association into the ballpark of roughly $79,000 toward the $170,000 goal.
The Sundre West Country Centre hosts games of crib at its hall that are organized by Verna McFadden and Louise Christoffersen, with proceeds from a recent tournament in the amount of roughly $550 going to the association’s campaign to replace the 2009 bus.
Association president Leigh Smithson expressed gratitude for all those who laid the groundwork for the association, which is always looking for board members, drivers as well as hosts.
On Nov. 16, Jason Nixon, Sundre-area MLA and minister of Albert Seniors, Community and Social Services, announced the van society was one of five non-profit community service groups set to receive a grant from a new pool of funding amounting to $1.1 million to be allocated over the next three years.
The Sundre association is anticipating roughly $150,000.
Smithson said the funds will ensure the non-profit organization is able to get a new van as well as hire a full-time coordinator.
