News from the Fundraiser and 2021 Winter Online Program a Success!

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AlgomaTrad has been fairly quiet on the social media front, but there sure has been a lot going on behind the scenes!! The “AlgomaTrad Grows” Campaign has quietly been left up on Fundrazr because donations are still coming in by mail. We are amazed that we have reached 75% of our goal, and immensely grateful for all the support. The Campaign collided with the start of a 6-week free online music/arts program funded by Canadian Red Cross and Employment and Social Development Canada

The purpose of the 2021 Winter Online Sharing and Learning Program was to deliver accessible, interactive online programming to 50 people in rural Algoma, working to build community and connection through sharing, learning and creating music, dance, and song during a time of isolation and greater vulnerability. This program happily exceeded our goal by attracting approximately 190 participants, with 134 from the Algoma Region and the rest scattered from Wawa to British Columbia. The program also engaged 11 artists/musicians/mentors, providing them with much needed employment during this difficult time, and 10 super volunteers!! The project featured 15 weekly virtual gatherings including: Music/storytelling for children, song and art sharing, introductory highland piping, composition, ukulele/song for youth, tin whistle, step dance, couples’ dances, and fiddle. Several instruments awarded through a TDMusiCounts grant were loaned out to local participants. The Winter program has inspired us to extend the online offerings with a 4-week Spring 2021 Online Learning and Sharing Program.