Few have been left untouched by the model nonprofit Bow RiversEdge Campground Society (BRECS).
Yesterday, they provided $60,000 in annual grants to 17 worthy local causes. That's in addition to the $30,000 they provide annually to the Cochrane Rotary and Lions clubs to support their community projects.
In its remarkable 20-year history, BRECS has returned well over $1 million to Cochrane-based organizations. And when you include the purchase of the campground land from Rocky View County it's about $3.5 million.
"We give money mostly for capital-related activities, as opposed to operating funding," explains chair Stephen Simms. "So, we tend not to give grants that just support salaries or those types of things. The money is meant to go into equipment or into big events."
The Rotary and Lions co-founded and manage the society and are proud to have established a way to give back to Cochrane and area with proceeds from campers' bookings.
Its reinvestment committee reviews funding applications and distributes grants annually to local nonprofits and organizations that have a positive impact on youth, sports and recreation, arts and culture, the environment and general community services.
"Our mandate is 100 per cent to give back," says Simms. "This is a not-for-profit society, so the money we raise, either gets turned into capital improvements in the campground and or goes back to the community."
Grant recipients this year were the Bethany Care Foundation, BGC of Cochrane & Area, Bike Cochrane, Bobcat Backers Society, Cochrane and Area Health Foundation, Cochrane Curling Club Society, Cochrane & District Agriculture Society, Cochrane Horse Trials, Cochrane Public Library, Cochrane Search and Rescue Association, Frank Wills Memorial Society, Friends of Glenbow Society, Rocky View Foundation, Seniors on the Bow of Cochrane and Area Society, Sleeping Giants Theatre Society, Stockmen's Memorial Foundation, and the Stoney Creek Men's Shed Club.
At the Sept. 30 reception, they continued the tradition of having each group speak to their aspirations and explain how the funds will benefit the community
The popular RV destination has had an extremely successful year. It has been booked solid all summer long, right up until this past Friday, says Simms, praising the work of general manager Jacquie Felesky and her staff.
Annually, BRECS puts a call out for grant applications.