The Cochrane Foundation wants to remind people they are ready to make it rain, with grants and scholarships.
“I think it was really great for the Cochrane Foundation to provide me with this opportunity … the whole experience is really great,” said Camille Adams, recipient of last year’s Dr. George McQuitty Fund.
The 26-year-old finished her last exam before the holiday season on Dec. 20 after three-weeks of intense exam writing for her third-year at the University of Calgary. She is studying toward a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
The fund, provided by the Cochrane Foundation was set up in 2006 with the intention to provide a scholarship award to assist a high school graduate in the Cochrane area enrolled in graduate studies in the medical field.
As recipient of the 2015 scholarship, Adams said she used the money to help pay her tuition and take educational opportunities outside of school, including working at a spay and neuter clinic in Nicaragua, working three weeks at a specialized diagnostics clinic in Virginia, and working two weeks at a specialized surgery clinic in Arizona.
“The scholarship really helped me get extra opportunity outside of school,” Adams explained.
Dr. George McQuitty was a dedicated doctor who served in the Cochrane area from the mid-60s until his death in 1979. McQuitty was a member of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, and helped establish a permanent medical clinic in Cochrane.
“His legacy lives on as he supports students and organizations in the medical field, through this fund held at the Cochrane Foundation,” Kelsey Envik, board secretary explained in an email.
Adams said she is grateful for the scholarship and would encourage other students to apply.
The foundation offers the scholarship annually, along with annual community capital grants. A permanent endowment fund was created where donations would be polled and interest income generated would be made available annually as community grants.
“The number of scholarships, and amount, varies year to year. The fund is also used to augment the medical facilities in the community and/or purchase medical equipment for local nonprofits,” Envik explained.
Neil Harvie, Ray Zell and Bob Aylesworth started the Foundation in 1993 as a means to support “important community ideals related to arts and culture, environment, youth, education, health, recreation and more.”
To date the Cochrane Foundation has granted more than $780,000 back to Cochrane and area to more than 90 charitable organizations.
Applications are due Jan. 31.
For more information go to cochranefoundation.ca
FACTBOX
The Cochrane Foundation gave $58,197 in grant funding in 2015, going to 13 community groups including:
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Bighill Creek Preservation Society
Bow Valley Habitat Development
Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane & Area
Cochrane Activettes Food Bank
Cochrane & Area Humane Society
Cochrane and District Agricultural Society
Cochrane Search & Rescue Association
Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation
Jumping Pound Community Hall Society
Seniors for Kids
Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre
