Funds through Canada Post's Community Grant program will allow the Winkler Daycare Centre to proceed with another project. The centre recently received a $2,600 grant.
“The money that has been presented to us will be going towards a water bottle fill station outside," said Winkler Daycare Director Ang Nickel.
Currently, when the children are outside and need their water bottle filled, they still need to go inside to fill it, which also means the centre loses the help of staff coverage in the large backyard while that's being done. "This will help with staff coverage, and children will be able to get their water, because we encourage water drinking and water drinking. And in the summertime, when it's so hot, it's really nice to add that to our backyard. So we're looking forward to that," noted Nickel.
Kris Hansen, Canada Post Local Area Manager for Southeast Manitoba says all the money that is raised in our province, stays here in Manitoba.
"I take personal pride in working with this foundation because it really does come back to the community. We've had one in my own area that just received a grant as well, so it's really special to me and I think it's special to everyone that receives this money."
Hansen noted this year, he has already made 100 cheque presentations, giving back a total of $17,000 to the community so far.
"Our postmasters and our retail clerks they do all sorts of things. Bake sales, they do book sales, they do raffles for jerseys, we have prints that we raffle off as well through Canada Post with the stamps and all that stuff that we've framed prints, which is a good way for them to raise money all year. And we've even raffled off a travel trailer a few years ago, which was a huge hit for my recollection. It was before my time, but that raised $100,000 on its own."
Last year, Hansen said $900,000 was raised across Canada for local charities, and his area alone, Southeast Manitoba raised the most in all of Canada, dollar for dollar, raising $28,000.
“Well, these kinds of things are always an exciting event because they create community,” said Winkler Mayor Martin Harder. “Before there were any other daycare centers, you guys were already there, so it's been a long process to build the facilities you have with the services you provide...we look forward to you providing these services for many years to come.”