The Judith & Norman Alix Foundation is contributing over $270,000 to three Sarnia-Lambton organizations.
The Inn of the Good Shepherd is getting $100,000 for the purchase of food and other essential items related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pathways Health Centre for Children gets $90,000 for the refurbishing of its therapeutic pool, and $81,000 goes to the Oil Museum of Canada for the Visitor Experience Project that includes the development of new exhibits, interactive learning experiences, interpretive signage and improved visitor amenities.
Inn Executive Director Myles Vanni said the overwhelming gift at a time of great need has allowed them to get food in and keep their programs going.
"We started this whole pandemic thing with an immediate loss of about 80,000 pounds of food or $200,000 in value with the cancellation of Cyclone Aid and CANstruction," said Vanni. "The Alix family very quickly reached out and said I think we can help, tell us what your needs are, and their gift was just tremendous."
The foundation's Adam Alix said with the pandemic, they took a different approach this year.
"And so we did a donation to the Inn of the Good Shepherd, which was probably one of the more unique donations made by our foundation because we normally focus on capital improvements, whereas this was more of an operational need that we were fulfilling," said Alix. "It was obviously a need that the community had, so our family felt that it was time to switch things up. The other two projects we participate in fit our profile perfectly. They're all great projects that better the community, bring people together and create jobs."
Over its 30-year history, The Judith & Norman Alix Foundation has advanced more than $5 million to over 30 community projects including Withdrawal Management Services at Bluewater Health, the installation of artificial turf at Norm Perry Park in Sarnia, the construction of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, the purchase of rare artifacts for the Lambton Heritage Museum, the purchase of a van for the Inn of The Good Shepherd, portable bleachers for The Lambton Fairs Association, and renovations to the Kineto Theatre in Forest.
-With files from Dave Dentinger