Pinawa Foundation

Community Project Month Update

Children's Place Co-op Daycare - New Dishwasher and Flooring Project

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to Children's Place Co-op Daycare at our recent Granting Ceremony Community for $9,950 to purchase a new commercial dishwasher and replace the kitchen flooring that has been damaged due to the malfunctioning dishwasher. The new flooring and dishwasher will help support licensing standards and regulations. The new flooring will also reduce the risk of injury to children, staff and visitors.

Community Project Month Update

Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre - Prevention Education Workshops

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre at our recent Granting Ceremony Community for $14,358 to provide prevention education workshops. The centre will deliver educational workshops in schools for students in Grades 6, 8, 10, and 12, as well as in community settings for parents and caregivers, service providers, and community members. Prevention education plays an important role in creating safer communities. By providing youth and adults with accurate information, practical tools, and opportunities for open dialogue, the centre helps build understanding around topics that are often difficult to discuss.

Below: Board member Rob Murray presents a grant to Julie Remillard, Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre

Community Project Month Update

Pinawa Cancer Care - New Stretcher Project

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to Pinawa Cancer Care at our recent Granting Ceremony Community for $13,025 to purchase a new stretcher. Some of the features of this stretcher include 5th wheel steering, power washable, 320 kg weight capacity, dual side-mounted foot control hydraulics, and a 76-cm width. The stretcher will be used in Cancer Care for procedures and treatments.

Below: Board Member Connie Hamon presents the Cancer Care Grant to Averill Stephenson from the Interlake Eastman Health Foundation (left) and Janine Harcus, Manager of Health Services at Pinawa Hospital (centre).

Community Project Month Update

F.W. Gilbert Parent Advisory Council - New Gym Mats

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the F.W. Gilbert Parent Advisory Council at our recent Granting Ceremony for $4,338 to purchase a high-quality set of gym floor mats to support both school programming and community activities at F.W. Gilbert School. These mats are used frequently for school events, physical education activities, family movie nights, and by various community groups that use the school gymnasium.

Below: PF Board Member Liane Weigelt-Tirschman presents grant to Kaci Kroker, F.W. Gilbert Parent Advisory Council

PInawa Foundation Awards 2026 Thomas Sill Grants

The Thomas Sill Foundation was founded in 1987 through the last will of Thomas Sill, a chartered accountant from Manitoba. The Thomas Sill Foundation provided support for charitable initiatives throughout Manitoba for over 35 years. At the end of 2023, the Foundation ceased operations, but the board of directors wanted to continue supporting Manitoba. The assets of the foundation were transferred to the Winnipeg Foundation to create funds that would carry on Thomas Sill’s legacy of giving. The Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation was established to benefit communities within Endow Manitoba. The Pinawa Foundation receives a grant every year to carry on Thomas Sill’s good work.

The Pinawa Foundation awarded our 2026 Thomas Sill Grants at our Annual Public Meeting on June 8th. We were very pleased to award these grants to the Pinawa Arena Board for repairs to the Orville Acres Arena ($15,000) and to the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association for upgrades to the lighting system at the Pinawa Community Centre ($10,000).

Chris Saunders of the Pinawa Foundation awarding Thomas Sill Grant to Rhonda Henschell from the Pinawa Arena Board

Cindy Litke, Grants Committee Chair at the Pinawa Foundation presents the Thomas Sill Grant to John Tait from the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association

PInawa Foundation Awards 2026 Thomas Sill Grants

The Thomas Sill Foundation was founded in 1987 through the last will of Thomas Sill, a chartered accountant from Manitoba. The Thomas Sill Foundation provided support for charitable initiatives throughout Manitoba for over 35 years. At the end of 2023, the Foundation ceased operations, but the board of directors wanted to continue supporting Manitoba. The assets of the foundation were transferred to the Winnipeg Foundation to create funds that would carry on Thomas Sill’s legacy of giving. The Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation was established to benefit communities within Endow Manitoba. The Pinawa Foundation receives a grant every year to carry on Thomas Sill’s good work.

The Pinawa Foundation awarded our 2026 Thomas Sill Grants at our Annual Public Meeting on June 8th. We were very pleased to award grants to the Pinawa Arena Board for repairs to the Orville Acres Arena ($15,000) and to the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association for upgrades to the lighting system at the Pinawa Community Centre ($10,000).

Below:

Chris Saunders of the Pinawa Foundation awarding Thomas Sill Grant to Rhonda Henschell from the Pinawa Arena Board

Cindy Litke, Grants Committee Chair at the Pinawa Foundation presents the Thomas Sill Grant to John Tait from the Eastern Manitoba Concert Association

Community Project Month Update

Pinawa Lions Club – Birthday Weekend Expenses

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the Pinawa Lions Club at our recent Granting Ceremony for $8,277 to support several of the exciting activities that happen over the Pinawa Birthday Weekend celebrations in July. This grant is to offset some of the larger expenses for the weekend: tent at the sundial, fireworks display and stage rental.

Pinawa Lions Club member Dorothy Wilkin accepts grant from PF Board Member Connie Hamon

Community Project Month Update

Courts of Pinawa – Refurbish and Install Automated External Defibrillator

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the Courts of Pinawa at our recent Granting Ceremony for $1,995 to install a refurbished AED on the front of the tennis shack. It can be accessed by beach visitors, court players and the public. The AED will be protected by suitable housing, a security camera and motion-sensitive lights.

Below: PF Board Member Cindy Litke presents cheque to The Courts Co-chair Peter Hayward.

Community Project Month Update

Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club – New All Terrain Vehicle

The Pinawa Foundation awarded a grant to the Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club at our recent Granting Ceremony for $7,702 to purchase an ATV to maintain 15 km of walking trails for the community, as well as for off-season maintenance of 40 km of ski trails. This grant included a donation of $577 from the Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club Endowment Fund.

Below: PF Board Member Kristen Ticknor presents to Dorothy Quayle of the Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club

Pinawa Foundation Annual Public Meeting - Endowment Fund/Miscellaneous Grants

Three additional grants were awarded during the annual meeting.

Below:

Board Member John Tait presents a Foundation Grant to Connor Riach, Pinawa Sailing Club. This grant will support the upcoming Youth Learn to Sail Program in Pinawa.