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Greetings!
The year has gone by so fast. It seems like just yesterday we were saying goodbye to summer and completing those final outside chores in anticipation of the first snow. Suddenly, the holiday season is upon us. What does this season mean? To many of us, it is a time to get together and share with family and friends, get caught up with each other's lives and to be grateful for all we have. The holiday season also provides us with an opportunity to help others in our community through acts of charity and everyday kindness. At the Foundation we have been blessed with the strong support and incredible commitment of so many people from our region. Your faith and belief has provided us with the means and strength to continue to build the long-term community savings account dedicated to philanthropy. It is this work which is truly in support of our future generations and we are doing it, together. This past year has been an exciting time at the Foundation. We have welcomed new faces to our office and new members to the board and committees. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and support of so many volunteers who continue to help strengthen our organization which, in turn reflects on a stronger community. From my heart to yours, thank you for your support of the Community Foundation. "Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present." - Albert Camus
Warmest wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season, 
Tracey Vavrek, Executive Director
Phone: 780.538.2820
tracey@buildingtomorrowtoday.com
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 (l-r) Ron Regnier, General Manager of Canadian Tire Grande Prairie; Jamie Martel, former Administrative Supervisor for the SPCA and Tracey Vavrek, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie. The SPCA was one of many community agencies that benefited from the "Power of Philanthropy" auction package for which Canadian Tires was the successful bidder at the annual Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie gala.
Christmas for our Community
Over two hundred people attended the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie's fall Crystal Evening Gala and received an opportunity to bid on an auction package that promised bidders the chance to "receive nothing in return" except for the chance to feel good. Called the "Power of Philanthropy," Canadian Tire was the successful bidder of the package which contained items destined for many community agencies in Grande Prairie.
Canadian Tire has been operating successfully in Grande Prairie for a number of years which General Manager, Ron Regnier, attributes to the loyalty of local residents.
"People have choices about where they go to shop and the community has supported us so well over the last seven years," he said. "The least we can do is our very best to support our community because we wouldn't be here without the people of Grande Prairie and the surrounding area."
Ron and Tracey Vavrek, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie personally delivered gifts to the local charities. They were very impressed with the work and dedication shown by everyone they met.
"We have supported some of these organizations in the past but I have never had the opportunity to visit them and talk to the people and see what the support actually means to them," said Ron.
"Connecting local charities with local donors to build community is at the heart of everything we do," said Tracey. "We want everyone to know that individuals, as well as business, have the ability to build a lasting legacy for their community."
Other organizations that benefited from Canadian Tire's generosity were Grande Prairie & Area Safe Communities, Odyssey House, Grande Prairie Hospice and Palliative Care, Salvation Army Food Bank, SPCA, Grande Prairie Life Long Learning, Seniors Outreach and Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter.
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Heather Penny (right) and her "little buddy" (left) benefited from Canadian Tire's successful bid for the "Power of Philanthropy" package that was auctioned off at the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie's annual Crystal Gala in September. Heather and her buddy meet regularly as part of the In-School Mentoring Program offered by Grande Prairie Big Brothers and Sisters.
Building Community for our Youngest Residents
Heather Penny and her little buddy, *Cindy reaped the rewards of the power of philanthropy. Gifts consisting of two board games and a gift card to a local toy store were made to Big Brothers and Sisters Grande Prairie earlier this fall.
Gina Wallace, Executive Director of Big Brothers and Sisters of Grande Prairie, was very appreciative of the gifts received from the Foundation and immediately put them to good use. The games became a part of the In-school Mentoring program and the gift card was set aside to buy presents for the organization's annual Christmas party.
Heather and Cindy meet once a week throughout the school year and together, they do crafts, play games, bake and generally spend time together.
"I really enjoy my time with Cindy," said Heather who left behind a younger sister in Nova Scotia who she misses very much.
Very quietly and shyly, Cindy agreed with Heather.
"It's fun," she said.
*Named changed to protect her identity.
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 (l-r) Rob Regnier, General Manager of Canadian Tire Grande Prairie, Heather Manarey, Executive Director of the Grande Prairie Hospice Palliative Care Society, and Tracey Vavrek, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie
Giving Back
Received through the "Power of Philanthropy" package, following is another example of giving back. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the Grande Prairie Hospice Palliative Care Society, thank you for your donation of a laptop computer! As a small non-profit we are always humbled by the generosity of our community. It is wonderful to have our very own computer that will enable us to work more efficiently for our cause. Please pass on our sincerest thanks to your team and know that we appreciate you. We also would like to commend you for supporting our community in so many areas. Your dedication and commitment to support our community makes Grande Prairie a better place!" Sincerely, Owen Lewis, Chair Heather Manarey, Executive Director |
 Tracey Vavrek, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie receives a cheque from Ron McMullan, a director of the Grande Prairie Petroleum Association. Hosted by the association, the annual Jeff Toews Memorial Oilmen's Hockey Classic raises funds to support a number of sports initiatives including the Jeff Toews Memorial Fund that was established through the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie in 2007, in Jeff's memory.
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New Faces
The Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie welcomes Patricia.
Originally from the Northwest Territories, Patricia Colosimo-Andreeff moved to Alberta in mid-1990 to attend the University of Calgary where she earned degrees in commerce and economics. Focussing on the areas of marketing and communications, Patricia worked in the oil and gas, environmental and health sectors before coming on board with the community foundation at the end of October.
It was shortly after they moved to Grande Prairie in 2004 that she and her husband decided that the Peace Country, and in particular Grande Prairie, was where they wanted to put down roots and raise their daughter. Up until this point both had lived rather transitory lifestyles, never having the opportunity to live in one place for very long.
"I'm happy to be a part of something like the foundation because its focus is so clearly community-based," she said. "And since we plan on staying in the area, it means I might have opportunities to see the difference that my work will have on others and that is a very satisfying thought."
Welcome Patricia!
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Holiday charitable gifts are a wonderful way to support the community that is important to you. It provides you with the opportunity in supporting your community, the place you call home and provides you with a tax savings.
A Christmas donation made on your own, as a family or with a group of friends or colleagues, is the kind of gift that can gift you back. In Alberta personal tax credits for 2011 for a charitable donation is up to 50%.
There is still have time to take advantage of the 2011 tax savings if you donate before year end. You can make your gift on-line by visiting our website at www.buildingtomorrowtoday.com, telephoning us at 780-538-2820 or visiting us in person before December 23, 2011. You will find us on the second floor of Centre 2000.
If you mail a cheque, we will still be able to issue a 2011 taxable receipt, the envelope must have a December 2011 postmark stamped by Canada Post. Please make your cheque payable to Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie.
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Holiday Hours
The office will close for the holidays at 4:30 pm on Friday, December 23, 2011 and will reopen on January 2, 2012 at 8:30 am.
From our family to yours, best wishes for a joyous and peaceful holiday season.
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Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie
Mission
We inspire philanthropy by providing a way for anyone to leave a lasting legacy through permanent endowment building, responsible grants and leadership to meet our community's needs for today, tomorrow and forever.
Vision Bringing donors and charities together to enrich the whole community.
Proud member of 
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Quick Links
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Demonstrating Corporate Citizenship In Our Community
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