Games’ Sponsors Identified

Some readers are wondering why I did not publish the entire letter from the mayor in my previous blog. One reason was the magnitude of it, some 1500 words, and the repetition of entire sections of the original blog.

Compare this to the Windsor’s Stars’ Letter- To-The-Editor Limit of 300 words. I also knew that the entire letter had worked its way into the hands of the Star, and that The Star would be anxious to report on it, as newspapers tend to do when they sense conflict.

I was remiss, however, in not including one segment of the mayor’s letter in my morning September 16 post, as follows:

MY BLOG: Early on we were told that grants/partnership applications were in the works to be submitted to Provincial Ministry of Health Promotions, Celebrate Ontario, Canadian Heritage, celebrate Canada and other federal provincial programs. None of these came through.

MAYOR’S RESPONSE: Windsor Essex applied and received:

1. Celebrate Ontario $250,000 (provincial blockbuser grant) and an Allegra Footprint Fund grant of $500 in support of the ICG Games.
2. Ontario Trillium Grant (55,000) in collaboration with The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County to support the “Team Ambassador” program which provided translators for visiting teams and families to help showcase the diversity of our community. This grant was lead by the MCC. The MCC recruited and trained over 250 translators providing access to 35 languages during the Games. The Team Ambassadors were a huge hit with the visitors and proved to be an important factor in leaving a positive impression with many people as a reflection of our diverse community.
3. Sponsorship and fundraisers raised significant donor dollars in support of the ICG Games. We held 6 major fund raisers, online donations, and an Adopt and Athlete campaign, as well as cash sponsors to the tune of $460,077.24
4. A (JCP) Job Creation partnership grant from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in the amount of $24,430 was received by the United Way to assist with the recruitment and training of all of the ICG volunteers.
5. Healthy Communities Fund $50,000 for development of resource materials to support IN Sport WE Are One legacy health initiative.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The eight-page Insert in the Windsor Star heralding the International Children’s Games, included a page presenting “Our Sponsors.” While it did contain the Ontario emblem at the top, only the Trillium Foundation was mentioned in the “community partner’s sector. It did not specifically include the names of Celebrate Ontario, JCP Job Creation, Celebrate Canada and other federal/provincial programs. I understand a full report on all of this, as mentioned in my original posting, will be submitted to Council in a few weeks.