The Shaw Festival’s funding group has raised more than $6,000 for local charities this year, and held a ceremony for the organizations that will benefit from the funds at the end of July.
Every season, the Shaw’s Town Preview Funding Program provides tickets at a reduced price to Niagara-on-the-Lake and area residents to preview performances.
Proceeds raised from the sales are distributed to organizations that apply.
A presentation to the benefiting charities was made at a small ceremony in the festival’s main lobby July 30.
“The Shaw recognizes that every single organization and every single person in town plays an important role,” said Pragna Desai, director of community engagement and outreach.
Pamela TurnerSmith, who represents the Accessibility in Old Town Initiative, was one of the people in attendance to receive a portion of the proceeds.
Her initiative, which advocates for better accessibility to businesses, is partnering with StopGap Foundation, a Toronto-based charity that provides single-step ramps.
The money received from the Shaw, she said, will go a long way to improving accessibility for a wide range of people who have from mobility issues — not just those who need a walker or scooter to move about like she does.
“We are trying to make Old Town accessible for all,” said the longtime NOTL resident.
“Even just a five or six inch step is holding back thousands of people. Even if you just hurt your knee or dislocate your shoulder, all of these are potential customers who can’t get into stores.”
This year, a total of seven area charities benefited from the program.
They include, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library, Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre, Music Niagara, The Caribbean Workers Outreach Project – Niagara, Canadian Cancer Society – Wheels of Hope, Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care, and the StopGap Foundation (in partnership with the Accessible Old Town Initiative).
The dollar amount raised and divided amongst the recipients this year was approximately $6,600, said Desai.
“We are inspired by the work these organizations do,” she said. “It makes us want to do better.”