April 5, 2011
Boost in Gaming Grants For White Rock Groups

WHITE ROCK– More than $73,775 in community gaming grants will support 14 South Surrey and White Rock non-profit community organizations,  part of an immediate injection of $15 million in new grant funding benefiting more than 2,000 groups across British Columbia.

Why this matters:

• The government is fulfilling its commitment to return gaming grants to 2009-2010 levels, putting families first by supporting programs that build healthier and more vibrant communities.
• The restoration of grants will bring more than 500 organizations back up to historical funding levels, including youth arts and culture groups; community service groups like Rotary and Kiwanis; fairs, festivals and museums; and organizations involved in community education like parent support services.

Quotes:

"Charity organizations play a critical role in our community, providing fantastic services because of their knowledge of the local area. This funding will help them continue their great work."
- South Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg

Additional information:

Many groups in the health and social services sector - such as transition houses, food banks and drop-in centres - already received funding this year at approximately 100 per cent of historical levels. This new funding will provide an extra 25 per cent to help food banks meet growing demand, as well as to support youth and family programs; Parent Advisory Committee and District Parent Advisory Committee; community centres; cultural organizations; and scouts and cadets.

The year-end funding boost will also provide:

• $5 extra per K-12 student for extracurricular sports and music programs across B.C. This represents a 25 per cent increase from the $20 per student that parent advisory councils and district parent advisory councils received earlier this year from gaming grant funding.
• $25 per child participating in scout troops and cadet corps. This funding will go to parents to help them cover registration costs.
• $300,000 to support seniors' participation in nine annual sports competitions known as Seniors Games Zones.

The additional funding brings to $135 million the total community gaming grant funding that approximately 6,000 community organizations will share in 2010-11. This represents a 12.5 per cent increase from the previous year's total.

For more information about community gaming grants, please visit: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/grants/

Stay informed about South Surrey and White Rock news:

For the latest constituency news from MLA Hogg, visit his website and join him on Facebook.

-30-