By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
In a world filled with tragic headlines, a group of Sarnians want to generate some good vibes for the community and some news to brighten the day.
John DeGroot and 11 other trustees announced the formation of an Awesome Foundation Sarnia chapter Thursday.
The group intends to offer up $1,000 a month to the most “awesome” applicant for assistance with projects that might otherwise not fit the criteria for conventional funding programs.
“There are all kinds of neat projects out there that don’t qualify for charitable giving,” said John DeGroot who learned about the concept from the Awesome Foundation’s Toronto chapter.
“We anticipate that many applications will be about arts and culture but they can be anything, no strings attached.”
DeGroot and Alison Mahon said it wasn’t hard to find 12 trustees to donate cash and help select the winning applicants.
In fact, the board already has a waiting list.
“This is about having fun,” said DeGroot. “We have no rules, no agendas, no minutes. Just fun.”
The Awesome Foundation is a worldwide organization that started in Boston four years ago. There are currently 70 chapters, including ones in London, Toronto, Windsor and now Sarnia.
Applicants can be from any age group and don’t have to belong to an organized agency.
Submissions are accepted online at www.awesomesarnia.org each month. Those that make the cut are invited to a “pitch party,” where the $1,000 recipient is chosen. Unsuccessful applicants can try again any number of times.
The first deadline for applications is May 23, with a pitch party scheduled for June 6 at Ups N Downs restaurant on Christina Street.
“I know, it seems a little off the wall,” said DeGroot. “It’s a little quirky. But we know there’s so many ideas that never happen because there’s no money.”
He used the example of a group wanting to purchase new beds for the underprivileged or a group in Ottawa that purchased bikes for free use by the community.
“The intent is to help people who want to do something to make the community a better place,” said Mahon.
Awesome Foundation Sarnia has a website, a Facebook page and is on Twitter.
Trustees include John DeGroot, Pat and Ken Maaten, Jim Pumple, Perry and Alex Jongsma, Mat and Jaclyn Berube, John Rozema, Ray Heeringa, Barry and Erika Hogan, Mary Cruickshanks, Alison Mahon, Madeline and Kingsley Mahon and Doug and Kathy Woods.
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