2018 GROWMARK Essay contest; the results are in!

Maggie-Jo Hickson of Oakwood is named the Ontario provincial winner of the 2018 GROWMARK essay contest for 4-H members. The theme of this year’s contest was: How can co-operatives demonstrate their value to the next generation of agriculturists?

In her essay, Maggie-Jo says: “Many agriculturalists develop their passion and skills through organizations such as 4-H and Junior Farmers Association of Ontario. By supporting these organizations, co-operatives have the ability to work directly with their future members and instill their values and knowledge into them.”

Maggie-Jo is a student at Lindsay Colligate and Vocational Institute and a member of the Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton 4-H Association.

As the contest winner, Maggie-Jo receives $500 from GROWMARK and her 4-H Association receives $300 in honour of her accomplishment to help future students.

Two provincial runners-up each receive a $125 award. The runners-up this year are: Jordan Wills from Chatham-Kent and Morgan MacIntyre of Russell County.

To read Maggie-Jo’s full essay, visit www.growmark.com

UPI Energy FS celebrates another record-breaking year in community outreach.

Despite the well-below seasonal temperatures, UPI Energy FS welcomed a record breaking number of golfers to its 17th Invitational Charity Golf Tournament earlier this month at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg. This year, with the generous support from sponsors, associates and employees, $45,000 was raised for three worthy causes. 

Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre received $35,000, $5,000 was donated to the Guelph/Wellington Special Olympics and $5,000 to the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund. 

At the evening awards banquet, Rob McIntosh, UPI Energy FS general manager thanked the 175 supporters in the room for their generous support and called all three charities up to be recognized and honoured for their great work.

About the charities:

UPI Energy FS general manager Rob McIntosh

presents a cheque for $35,000 to representatives 

of Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Centre. 

 Since 1982, Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre has provided a program of therapy, recreation, sport and life skills training for children and adults with special needs. The program focuses on individual ability by providing an environment of challenge, enjoyment and achievement. 

Rob McIntosh and Paulinka Yee of UPI Energy FS
present a cheque for the Bernie Daly Fund
to Claude Gauthier of GROWMARK.

Bernie Daly, was GROWMARK's Ontario region manager and a long time co-operative champion. The main objective of Bernie Daly Memorial Fund established in 2009, is to provide a long-term pool of resources that will help support youth who cannot participate in the Co-operative Young Leaders program due to financial restraints or lack of sponsorship. Daly’s main concern was to ensure that all youth in the co-operative sector have the opportunity to experience CYL. 

Julie McLean and Julia Ceccotti of UPI Energy FS
present a cheque of $5000 to representatives of
the Guelph-Wellington Special Olympics group.

Special Olympics Guelph-Wellington provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in various Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, experience joy, demonstrate courage and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community in general.