AVIVA’S HELPING HAND

Five local groups still vying for votes in community funding contest.

The Aviva Community Fund is back and four Cape Breton organizations are hoping to get enough votes to move on to the next round.

Celebrating the 10th year for the campaign which gives money to community groups in Canada, 457 organizations have thrown their names in the hat to win one of 160 cash prizes. There are 50 prizes of $10,000 in the Small Ideas category and three prizes of $100,000 in the Big Ideas category. The four organizations in Cape Breton hoping to move on when first round voting ends on Oct. 4 are:

Five Eleven Youth and Family Centre Where: North Sydney Operated by: Third Day Grace Ministries under Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada

What: Youth centre, programing for families as well

Entered in: Big Ideas $100,000 Will use funding for: Finishing building renovations, installing heat pumps, supplies for programs, music and life skills equipment, afterschool program, teen crisis centre.

Whitney Pier Boys

and Girls Club Where: Whitney Pier Operated by: Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Breton, Chester Borden

What: Youth centre

Entered in: Big Ideas $100,000 Will use funding for: Restoration of back lot, build outdoor hockey rink, volleyball court and greenspace. Part of stage four of the community restoration project which will also add more activities to afterschool program. The Inverness Community

Leadership Centre Where: Inverness

Operated by: Mill Road Social Enterprises

What: Community based developmental centre for adults with intellectual disabilities, mental illness and physical disabilities

Entered in: Big Ideas $100,000 Will use funding for: Phase two building expansion to add café to existing bakery, wood working studio which help develop skills in adults with disabilities; goal to make centre a “community hub” for all ages and abilities.

Eskasoni Community

Connections Bus Where: Eskasoni First Nation Operated by: Eskasoni band and council

What: Community bus service Entered in: Big Ideas $100,000

Will use funding for: Transportation service within the community with stops at Goat Island, Eskasoni Health Centre, stores and more. Plans to eventually add service to and from Sydney.