Canada Post gives back

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Did you know that just buying a postage stamp can help kids in our community? Well Canada Post has a special stamp for just that reason!
Every October a special book of 10 fund-raising stamps are available for an extra dollar over regular prices. That extra dollar goes directly to the Canada Post Community Foundation.
It’s purpose or mission is to make a positive impact in the lives of children in the communities Canada Post serves by supporting registered charities, school programs or local initiatives that benefit children.
In addition to the month long sale of the fund-raising stamps, customers can also make donations of any amount above and beyond the stamps. Rainy River Postmaster Grace Seguin said, “We welcome any donation from small to big! Anything over $20 a person can get a tax receipt!”
Seguin said support for the program was quite strong last year and good so far this year. “They have extended the donation period by a week (past Oct. 31st).” So people can visit their local post office and donate if they so desire.
The program allows registered charities, school programs or local initiatives that benefit children to apply for grants.
This spring Riverview Elementary School’s Principal Lucinda Meyers saw a promo card for the foundation at the local post office. “I applied for it asking for $3,500 to help fund the school’s breakfast program.”
Meyers was ecstatic when she received word that the Rainy River school had been approved for the full $3,500. “That money plus funds from Breakfast For Learning helped tremendously!”
Three days a week the school offers breakfast to anywhere from 40-60 kids, free of charge! “We offer nutritious choices such as fruit, toast, cereal, oatmeal and cheese,” explained Meyers.
In addition to providing healthy breakfasts to these students, other students from grade 5-8 volunteer their time to help run the program. “They learn kitchen and leadership skills,” said Meyers.
Meyers was not allowed to publicly announce that the school had received the funding until Canada Post notified the post office here and released the information. “But I did go down and tell Grace,” said Meyers.
Seguin was so excited to see the cross Canada program benefit a local group. “This goes right across Canada and it is nice to see some of it come here.”
Riverview’s $3,500 grant was one part of $1.5 million in grants awarded across Canada in 2013 by the Canada Post Community Foundation!
Both Meyers and Seguin said other area groups or schools should apply to this “great opportunity.”