Bud Pye (left) and Allan Bieganski from Vanderhoof and Districts Co-op present a cheque worth $20,000 to Catharine Kendall, executive director, Connaught Youth Centre Society – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Vanderhoof and Districts Co-op has donated $20,000 to the Connaught Youth Centre Society.

The funds will help the Connaught Youth Centre Society start up four new programs for their Boys and Girls Club launch.

Those programs include a youth drop-in, a before and after school program, community kitchen and an equine facilitated wellness program.

Their programs are designed for all youth, with their focus being to meet the needs of high risk youth, children and their families.

The non-profit is one of 11 organizations to receive funding from the Co-op’s Community Support Fund this year.

In it’s first year, the support fund – which aims to support community groups, non-profits or charitable organizations that have programs that improve the quality of life in their communities – has dispensed $100,000.

“I’m absolutely astounded and excited and really super surprised,” said Catharine Kendall, CYC Society executive director, in response to the donation. “To be one of the recipients, to know that many applied and they chose us, is just fabulous.”

She anticipates at least 300 children in the community will benefit.

Allan Bieganski, Vanderhoof and Districts Co-op’s GM, called it an exciting day.

“We’re thrilled and very proud to be able to support a group that works with our youth. It’s a great program and we’re very pumped about this.”

“I think a program like this for communities across our area is really important,” added Bud Pye, president of the Co-op’s board of directors. “It keeps the kids off the street and it’s something that we need more of. So, we’re proud to be a part of that.”