Thanks to the Trillium Foundation!

MEDIA RELEASE February 18th, 2023

$15 000 Trillium Grant Outfits Giants!

Guelph, ON – On Saturday, local MPP Mike Schreiner met with representatives from the Guelph Giants Special Hockey Foundation to hear more about the $15,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant they received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). 

“As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Guelph, I want to congratulate the Guelph Giants Special Hockey Foundation upon receiving a Trillium Grant,” said Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph. “The Guelph Giants have continued to provide essential programs to those living with intellectual disabilities in our community by encouraging, empowering and enabling athletes through hockey. I am inspired by their steadfast dedication to promoting healthy living and this grant will allow them to continue serving the people of Guelph through their many initiatives. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Guelph Giants for their unwavering commitment towards fostering the well-being of youth in Guelph.”

The funds were used despite an increase in costs for the Foundation.

"The impact of this provides new uniforms and jerseys for the Foundation’s three teams and to cover ice rental costs. This allowed the Foundation to keep membership fees low. The Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is huge,” said Ken Keesmaat, President for the Guelph Giants Special Hockey Foundation. “This grant has allowed The Giants to keep costs consistent for members and families in mitigating the effects wrought through the pandemic. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.” 

Since 2006, The Guelph Giants Special Hockey Foundation has been dedicated to encourage, empower, and enable athletes with an intellectual disability to participate in an inclusive hockey program. Our program is organized and delivered by a dedicated team of over thirty volunteers. We currently have sixty players ranging in age from five to fifty-eight playing on one of three teams, Junior, Intermediate, or Senior. Please visit the website at: https://theguelphgiants.org/ 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grantmaking in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Organization Contact for Media Inquiries: 

Ken Keesmaat, President

The Guelph Giants Special Hockey Foundation

president@theguelphgiants.org