With a new year come a new charity organization in 91原创 that already has five large projects in it sites.

Just days before Christmas, former MP and senator Gerry St. Germain announced the creation of a new community foundation.

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There are a few foundations already operating in 91原创, including the better know 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation and the 91原创 School District Foundation.

Now, the 91原创 Foundation has been launched in what St. Germain describes as an effort to improve and unite the community, especially on philanthropic efforts that will bring change to: infrastructure; arts, heritage, and culture; and environment.

The foundation was kick started by a $100,000 donation made earlier this month by the Wesmont Group.

鈥淚t is off and running in a big way,鈥� St. Germain said, thanks to the 91原创-based company鈥檚 generosity.

鈥淎 journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,鈥� added St. Germain, who is chair of the new foundation鈥檚 board of directors.

鈥淭he 91原创 Foundation has taken its first step and it is a big one. Thank you, John and Corinne Tilstra and the Wesmont Foundation, for taking that first step with us,鈥� said St. Germain.

Other similar donations have already been made by Brett Knelson of Knelson Family Foundation, Tim and Petra Bontkes from Heart & Soul Foundation, Marco and Deb Paolella of Marcon Construction, and from Bevo Farms.

The board also included former Township mayors Kurt Alberts, as well as film studio owner Gemma Martini, and lawyer and Kwantlen First Nation council member Tumia Knott.

The foundation, a recently-formed non-profit, will focus on building relationships with donors and other charitable organizations by linking them with causes that are important to them, and also through connecting them to opportunities that will make a lasting impact on the community, explained Paul Weme, the foundation鈥檚 executive director.

鈥淭his first gift is fundamental to the launch and success of the 91原创 Foundation,鈥� said Weme, a 91原创 resident with more than 30 years.

With experience in fundraising and philanthropy within the Lower Mainland, Weme is in what St. Germain described as a perfect positioned to lead this initiative.

鈥淏y addressing key needs in these three areas, we are poised to make the 91原创s a better, safer, and more desirable community for everyone,鈥� noted Weme.

One important area of need that the foundation has identified is the creation of more green and eco-friendly spaces in 91原创 and the surrounding areas, including Aldergrove, Brookswood, Fort 91原创, Murrayville, Walnut Grove, and Willowbrook.

As these areas are continuing to grow and develop, the inclusion of more parks, trees, and trails will benefit the entire community and make the 91原创s a more unified, welcoming, and desirable place to live, Weme said.

By ensuring that these are eco- friendly spaces, it will also make the 91原创s more responsible, sustainable, and vibrant communities for everyone, he noted, explaining that the foundation will be adding to existing federal, provincial and municipal funding 鈥渢hat has left tangible infrastructure projects unfunded,鈥� said Weme.

鈥淭he 91原创 Foundation plans to fill the gap.鈥�

They鈥檝e already identified a series of project they鈥檒l be raising funds towards.

One is a Central Park or Arbour Ribbon idea, an $8 million initiative 鈥� originally initiated back in 2004 鈥� which would see a treed greenway corridor and trail system weave from north to south through 91原创.

Also on the foundation鈥檚 to-do-list is to help reach the $5-million mark to enable the creation of a Fort 91原创 pedestrian bridge 鈥� a safe path for people to cross the CN train tracks to get down to all the shops and amenities in the village. Set to start in January, this project already has $3.1 million committed.

The foundation board is also devoted to helping raise $6 million to build a new facility for the Canadian Museum of Flight. There is already half a million dollars been raised towards this project.

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They鈥檙e also shooting to help raise a further $4.2 million towards the creaton of three trails in town, again a project that is expected to get start in January.

And the last on their list, at least for now, is support of the Memory Grove. It would be part of the Arbour Trails and be situation by the Salmon River in Fort 91原创. This project, Weme said, will be like an arboretum by recognizing and growing a diverse range of both native and non-native tree species.

RELATED: Memory Grove hopes to create long legacy for Fort 91原创

To celebrate the 91原创 Township鈥檚 150th anniversary, 150 trees will be planted in the Memory Grove. The creation of this grove will cost an estimated $250,000 with $21,500 already committed.

For more information on the foundation, people can visit .

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