NEW GLASGOW
The Pictou County Fuel Fund handed out four awards during its annual general meeting, held last week at Summer Street Industries.
The awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations for their contributions to the Fuel Fund, ensuring that it meets its objective that “No Child Should Go Cold in Pictou County.”
The newly named Tim Hortons Community Award is presented in appreciation of a community event or events organized with the intent to donate the funds raised to PCFF. This year’s recipient is the Pictou Town Churches, which includes St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, First Presbyterian, St. James Anglican, Stella Maris Parish and the Pictou United Church. This family of churches has raised funds through a variety of means over the past 10 years to support the Fuel Fund.
The award, previously called the Fuel Fund Community Award, was renamed in recognition of the generous contributions made by the local Tim Hortons restaurants over the past three years through the Smile Cookie Campaign.
The Fuel Fund Award of Merit, which acknowledges outstanding support by providing repeated significant financial contributions, was given to the Town of New Glasgow. The town’s annual donations have averaged $3,000 for the past five years, and this year included proceeds from town parking meters in the month of December.
The Fuel Fund Ambassadors Award is presented in appreciation of annual donations that further the work of PCFF. This year’s recipient is the New Glasgow Veterinary Clinic.
The Fuel Fund Founders Award is presented to someone who has played a significant role in creating and/or establishing the Pictou County Fuel Fund. Graham MacNeil is an original member, who also served as chairperson for two years.
MacNeil led the board through a major transition after the closure of the Pictou County Help Line, which processed requests and arranged for fuel distribution to those in need. He worked to find a new agency to provide the service, and a partnership was formed with the Pictou County Municipalities Crime Prevention Association in 2016-2017.
PCFF is a charitable organization that raises funds to provide oil or wood once per heating season to those who find themselves in emergency situations.
This year the Fuel Fund was able to provide assistance to 198 individuals and families in Pictou County who were in urgent need during the months of November, December, January, February and March.
