Amherst announces ‘A’ Fresh Start Initiative finalists

Five organizations have been announced as finalists for Amherst ‘A’ Fresh Start Community Initiative grants.

Amherst Little League Baseball, the Bridge Adult Service Centre, the Cumberland Museum Society, Fundy Winds Marsh, and the Lillian Allbon Animal Shelter were recently announced as the five finalists by town council.

Little league is requesting $5,000 to purchase equipment for its new Girls At Bat program, the Bridge Workshop is asking for $625 for a Disability Pride Day, the museum society is requesting $4,000

to host a backyard kitchen party series, the Fundy Winds Marsh would like $8,510 to aid in the design of an accessible and outside space, and the animal shelter is requesting $4,000 to expand its Creepy Carnival fundraiser. The Top 5 now have until June 9 to make a five-minute video explaining why they should receive an ‘A’ Fresh Community Initiative grant, how much money the project requires and how it will be spent.

The videos will be placed on the town’s social media between June 14 and 18. Residents will be asked to vote online or via paper ballot on the order in which they believe the awards should be granted. People are encouraged to watch all five videos before voting.

The voting procedure will be made public upon the posting of the videos to social media. All votes must be received by the town no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 20.

The rankings determined by this vote will then be presented to Amherst town council members, who will have also viewed the video presentations. Council will consider those rankings in making the decision on the placing of the awards.

Council has the final say and the amounts given to the grant recipients. These will be announced at the June 28 council meeting.

In order to qualify for an

‘A’ Fresh Start Community Initiative grant, the event or initiative had to be new or one that enhances a current program. Normal ongoing operations of an organization do not qualify for the grant.