II:Three North York finalists up for share of million dollar prize
Young people would benefit from outdoor classroom, breakfast club or youth centre
Three North York-based community groups are in the running to win a share of a million dollars through an online contest sponsored by a major restaurant chain.
York Mills Collegiate Institute, Flemington Public School and the Boys and Girls Club of Jane and Finch are among 170 finalists across Canada and the U.S. whose submitted project proposals are eligible for a grant for $25,000 from The Keg Steakhouse and Bar.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the restaurant is giving away 40 grants, totaling one million dollars, for its Thanks a Million campaign.
To win the money, the North York groups are hoping they'll get enough supporters to vote online for their project proposals. The project with the most online votes in its region wins the money.
Voting ends June 14.
Currently ranked No. 2 in the Toronto East region, York Mills Collegiate Institute would use its share of the prize money to pay for the renovation of its courtyard, said the teacher who submitted the school's proposal.
Tim Heffernan said the neglected and underused space would be transformed into an outdoor classroom, stage and a commons to be used from April to September.
Heffernan said the desire to renovate the courtyard came directly from students.
"It's a worthy project because it's entirely student-driven, environmentally conscious and would provide a valuable resource for the school," he said.
Flemington Public School would allocate the winning funds to its nutrition program to ensure hundreds of disadvantaged students continue to receive nourishing meals.
Lorne Debros, a volunteer for Flemington for the last 12 years, said he and his colleagues at the Toronto Fairview office of Investors Group - who "adopted" the school - have resorted to letting anyone within close distance know about the contest.
"I call it the two-foot rule," said Debros. "If you're within two feet, I'm going to ask you to vote."
The efforts seem to be paying off as Flemington is ranked No. 1 in the region of Toronto Central.
Good nutrition is essential for learning, said the principal of the school, who expects the money will feed at least 250 kids breakfast, lunch and a snack.
"Lack of nutrition impacts learning and leads to behaviour problems," said Lyn Davy.
Chris Foster, from the Boys and Girls Club of Jane and Finch, said his group would add the $25,000 prize to monies already raised for the completion of an expanded after-school youth centre for at-risk youth living in public housing.
"All the projects are worthy," said Foster. "But from my perspective, this neighbourhood is one of the most at-risk communities in the city and there is not enough positive opportunities for youth in the area."
The club, which is run out of a three-room converted apartment donated by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), has raised more than $650,000 of the required $850,000 in the last five years for the centre, which will be housed in an unused storage facility leased from the TCHC.
Under the plan, the youth centre would expand to two floors and include recording and dance studios, a computer lab and a student lounge, and would have the capacity to accommodate up to 75 kids.
Foster said a staffing budget is in place and with the extra funds the centre could open as soon as September.
"All we need is the rest of the money to finish the construction," he said.
Visit www.thekegthanksamillion.com to vote for a project. You can vote once a day for as many projects as you wish. You will need to register the first time you vote.
