Ponoka County council will grant $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters Rimbey.
When the program began one year ago, the executive director of the Ponoka Youth Centre, Beth Reitz, had asked council if they would donate $10,000 for each year, over a period of two years.
“The money you gave last year was a great help to what we’re doing,” said Reitz, who attended the Nov. 6 meeting on behalf Big Brothers Big Sisters Rimbey.
In its first year the program made 22 mentor matches, which, according to Reitz is unheard of in a town the size of Rimbey. “We’re anticipating that this next year will be even better.”
The program offered services to three schools but is planning on extending to Bluffton. Ponoka’s branch has expanded to Mecca Glen.
Over the last year Rimbey’s and Ponoka’s programs raised a combined $60,000 for themselves. Big Brothers Big Sisters also receives funding from United Way and FCSS.