COMMENT: Donation benefits students at Fred C. Cook School

Bradford has some very generous people for whom we should be grateful. On the other hand, Bradford also has a small percentage of residents who throw things at car windows to get rid of their problem, not caring about the residents of this city.

Thousands of recyclable plastic bottles, cans, and disposable diapers litter our roads. Perhaps the examples of generous people can make them change their habits.

It is very reassuring that many groups of thoughtful people continue to work to make Bradford a better place. They mostly toil in anonymity. These groups include all the volunteer coaches of all the sports offered in Bradford, who try to teach the city’s youth the skills and sportsmanship necessary to make them good teammates, and try to translate these values ​​into their professional ethics subsequent.

A small group in Bradford, originally conceived by the Evans brothers, have collected money/donations to distribute to those in our community who deserve a helping hand. Just like the Habitat for Humanity motto.

This group of people belongs to the Bradford Foundation, formed in the early 2000s as an offshoot of the much larger Canada Foundation organization. I recently had the pleasure of seeing their Bradford principals present a $500 check to Fred C. Cook Public School.

Officially known as the Bradford West Gwillimbury District Community Foundation, it is a registered charity run by a group of caring local citizens. Their aim is to raise funds for community organisations, for example: the local food bank, schools, sports clubs as well as other local causes.

The Foundation also currently administers the Douglas and Pierrette Osborne Scholarship Awards, which are given annually to a deserving graduating student chosen from both Bradford High Schools to financially assist selected students with their post-secondary studies.

In this regard, David Tompkins made a very generous donation to the foundation. He designated the funds to benefit local schools. As a result, the foundation was pleased to present a $500 check to the Fred C. Cook Public School as initial donation to fulfill Mr. Tompkins’ wishes.

There remains the saying attributed to the ancient Greeks (and modified somewhat for this article), as found in the oath of the Athenian youth, that we should leave this place, be it Bradford or our Earth, better than we found it.

It’s inspiring to see locals apply it through their actions.