Bradford has some very generous people for which we should be thankful. In contrast, Bradford also has a small percentage of inhabitants who throw things out of their car windows to get rid of their problem, caring none for the inhabitants of this town.
Thousands of recyclable plastic bottles, cans, as well as disposable diapers litter our roads. Perhaps the examples of the generous people may make them change their habits.
It is very reassuring that many groups of thoughtful people continue to work to make Bradford a better place. They mostly toil in anonymity. Count among these groups all the volunteer coaches of all the sports offered in Bradford who are trying to teach the town's youngsters the skills and sportsmanship needed to make them into good teammates, as well as trying to have these values translate into their later professional ethics.
A small group in Bradford, originally conceived by the Evans brothers, has been gathering monies/donations to distribute among those in our community deserving of a hand up. Just like the motto of Habitat for Humanity.
This group of people belong to the Foundation of Bradford formed in the early 2000s as an offshoot of the much larger Canadian Foundation organization. I recently had the pleasure to witness their Bradford directors present a $500 cheque at Fred C. Cook Public School.
Known officially as the Bradford West Gwillimbury District Community Foundation, it is a registered charity run by a group of caring local citizens. Their goal is raising funds for community organizations, e.g.: the local food bank, schools, sports clubs, as well as other local causes.
The Foundation currently also manages the Douglas and Pierrette Osborne Scholarship Awards which are presented annually to a worthy graduating student chosen from both Bradford high schools to financially assist the selected students with their post-secondary school education.
In that vein, David Tompkins made a very generous donation to the foundation. He designated the funds to benefit local schools. As a result, the foundation was pleased to provide a cheque for $500 to the Fred C. Cook Public School as an initial donation to fulfill Mr. Tompkins’ wishes.
The saying attributed to the ancient Greeks (and modified somewhat for this article), as found in the oath of the Athenian youth, that we should leave this place, be it Bradford or our Earth, better than we found it, remains valid.
It is inspiring to see local people apply it by their actions.
