Do you have a fun and interesting way to bring neighbours together?
The Burnaby Neighbourhood House is calling on local residents to send in applications for the annual small grants program. The program awards grants of up to $1,000 for projects that build community by connecting and engaging residents.
Past projects have included neighbourhood block parties and the annual bike fair organized by Tammy Ozero. They could also be community gardening projects, educational sessions or beautification projects.
"As long as the focus is on inclusivity and bringing people together," said Mackenzie Dean, the small grants program coordinator for the Burnaby Neighbourhood House.
Organizations (including school parent advisory councils) or businesses can't apply, as the money is earmarked for residents' projects only.
In all, the neighbourhood house will dole out $40,000. (The money comes from the Vancouver Foundation, but neighbourhood house volunteers decide which projects will receive funding.)
To apply for a grant, go to vancouverfoundation.ca/nsg. The application period opens March 3 and ends April 7.
Income tax help
It's tax season, and Burnaby Community Services is offering free help for seniors or low-income families that need help with their tax returns.
The non-profit organization is running free tax clinics, starting March 11, at the Tommy Douglas library branch and the Brentwood Community Resource Centre.
Volunteers will be available to help low-income folks file their returns, as long as they are not overly complicated. To sign up, call Burnaby Community Services at 604-292-3902.
Tommy Douglas library is at 7311 Kingsway, and the Brentwood Community Resource Centre is at 2055 Rosser Ave.
Homeless count prep
Local volunteers are in training, gearing up for the Burnaby leg of the Metro Vancouver Homeless Count.
Every three years, volunteers hit the streets, counting and interviewing the homeless populations in Lower Mainland municipalities to provide a snapshot of who's sleeping on the streets. This year's count takes place on March 12.
The 2011 count showed there were 73 homeless people in Burnaby, four of whom were counted in shelters.
Rotary walkathon
This just in from the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown: There's a walkathon on Saturday to raise money for Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. According to a note from Rotarian Gloria Staudt, there are only three countries left that still have cases of polio.
The walk is from Metropolis at Metrotown to New Westminster City Hall, and registration is $10. The walk starts at 10 a.m. and registration is at 9 a.m. For more information on the walk, or to pre-register, call 604-802-0890.
