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Grant to make a difference for Ponoka and District Health Foundation

Community grant program from Monsanto to benefit local endoscopy program
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Dorothy Ungstad with the Ponoka and District Health Foundation was very pleased to have been selected as one of the Alberta winners of the $2,500 grant from Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities program, part of the Monsanto Fund. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

A donation from a major agricultural company will be coming to the Ponoka and District Health Foundation.

The winners of a $2,500 grant from Monsanto Fund’s Canada’s Farmers Grow Communities program were announced last week, including one for Dorothy Ungstad of Ponoka.

“It was really great to hear and it was lucky that they pulled out my name,” Ungstad stated.

Overall, 66 winners were randomly chosen from the 550 entries received from across the country totalling $165,000 in grants being distributed.

Applications for the grant, done in just a few minutes online according to Ungstad, were accepted from farmers until Sept. 30. The grant is meant to provide a financial boost to rural-based charities and non-profit organizations in the community.

For Ungstad, the choice was obvious — the endoscopy program at the Ponoka and District Health Foundation.

“Every little bit helps so I figured I might as well try,” she added.

The grant is into its sixth year and has generated a host of ideas from farmers on how the money could benefit their communities — from schools and health care to recreation, food banks, seniors clubs and more.

Trish Jordan, Monsanto Canada’s public and industry affairs director, explained the program may not seem like a lot, but it does help make a difference.

“When you look at what local communities want to do to improve community services, programs or infrastructure to make life better for rural residents it’s very inspiring,” said Jordan

“A gift of $2,500 doesn’t seem like a lot but from talking to some of the farmers and the charities themselves it can make a huge difference in their communities.”