How do you perk up your environment during the deepest darkest winter days? The City of Prince George may have funds to help you spread your enthusiasm.
The Winter City committee is designed to promote and encourage winter lifestyles for Prince George citizens and visitors.
For seven years, the committee, in conjunction with the City of Prince George, hjas implemented a grant program to help local community groups celebrate winter.
"The purpose of the grant is for community groups or individuals to enhance the city during the dreary winter months, through putting up lights or organizing activities. There aren't any limitations, as long as it fits within the winter theme," said Marlies Greulich, a winter city committee member.
The committee has $6,000 in grant money to disburse with the maximum individual grant being $1,000.
"The grants are a matching grants. So, as an example if we gave a group a grant of $500, we would want them to match that, through labour, in kind services, materials or cash," said Cheryl Livingston-Leman, community services co-ordinator.
Some of the more popular winter events benefitting from the grants are Candy Cane Lane and the Healthiest Babies Possible organization where low-income single mothers are given a chance to make crafts they can use as Christmas gifts.
"Our grant helped with some of the supplies for that, as well as they host a Christmas dinner, so some of the money went to the purchasing of food as well," said Livingston-Leman.
The decorations aren't meant to have a Christmas theme however they are meant to fit in with a winter motif.
"Last year, Coldsnap [winter music festival] applied to the program under their winter festival. We were able to contribute a small amount as an honorarium to actually have local performers attend at the music festival. People really like getting out at that time of year," said Greulich.
"We try to go with different people every year, so it's not a repetitive event and try to reach out to the people who reach out to the people who make an effort. You don't have to be a registered group or anything, as long as you can show that you are capable of delivering the project."
One of the most successful projects could be seen in the gardens on 12th Avenue across from the hospital.
"The whole street was lit up in really pretty little blue lights and [the neighbourhood] really put a lot of effort in it ... The benefit this project had was the whole street was visible from the hospital windows, so people who are stuck in the hospital can actually see a really pretty lit up tree. The project gained a lot of community support from the neighbours," said Greulich.
Successful applicants are required to submit images of the completed project as well as an evaluation form.
The application deadline is Nov. 7. People who are interested in applying for a grant can get applications from City Hall or by going to www.princegeorge.ca
