Photo by Tijana Drndarski on Unsplash

As part of their $1 million campaign, Be a Light: Beating COVID-19 Together, Bruce Power has made a $350,000 commitment to thanking health- and long-term care (LTC) workers, while aiding children and families during the holiday season.

“The community heroes working in health care, long-term care, and community support organizations have worked tirelessly to assist those in need during the pandemic," said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO in a November 26 Bruce Power media release. "We want to thank these many individuals for their commitment to their community, and also lend a helping hand to children and families in need.”

The $350,000 will be distributed across Bruce, Grey and Huron counties in the following ways:

Schools, county housing services, and women’s shelters will distribute 3,000 grocery store gift cards to help individuals and families in need.

School breakfast programs are experiencing never-before-seen usage and increased costs due to in-school changes resulting from COVID-19 protocols. Programs across Bruce, Grey and Huron counties will receive more than $100,000 so they can continue to make sure hungry schoolchildren have breakfast each day.

LTC facilities will receive holiday treats for residents and staff. Understanding not all residents will be able to enjoy the treats, Christmas ornaments will also be sent to each facility.

Each county will receive a $5,000 contribution to their locally run toy drives. In addition, Bruce Power has launched an online fundraiser in conjunction with the United Way of Bruce Grey, to collect cash donations in place of their annual on-site employee toy drive. Bruce Power employees, pensioners, and the larger community raised $27,000 for nine local toy drives and hamper programs.

New winter coats will be donated to the United Way of Bruce Grey winter coat program and the Huron-Perth Children's Aid Society, for a total cost of $10,000.

As a token of thanks, local hospitals, COVID-19 assessment centres, and health unit offices will receive a box of chocolates from Mill Creek Chocolates.

“COVID-19 has put a strain on many families, workers, and organizations across Grey and Bruce counties,” said Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director, United Way of Bruce Grey. “The need in our community is even greater this year, and we thank Bruce Power for once again stepping up to assist families, seniors, frontline workers, and hungry schoolchildren this holiday season. Thousands of people will have happier and healthier holidays thanks to Bruce Power’s outreach efforts.”