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According to Carrie McKenzie, the CEO/head librarian with the Carlow Mayo Public Library in Hermon, the library recently applied for and received a $20,000 Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund grant from The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Company to put in new technology and STEM for the kids. McKenzie comments to Bancroft This Week about this new grant funding.
McKenzie told Bancroft This Week that despite the weather on Dec. 13, they enjoyed a small celebration at the library with board members, staff, volunteers and kids’ club attendees.
“I heard about the LEAF grant that is offered by The Commonwell Mutual Insurance through our library CEO listserv. Other libraries had mentioned that they have been successful applying for it in the past. I am still in shock that the Carlow Mayo Public Library was one in 17 projects that were chosen for funding. Overall, 216 applications were submitted. This funding is a game changer for our little library,” she says.
McKenzie explains that they are going to upgrade their computers, purchase Chromebooks for their early literacy program and add STEM kits to their kids’ club program.
“So far, we are looking into circuit kits, Lego, coding bots and more for our STEM kits. With this funding, we will be able to connect our community through technology and promote digital literacy with innovative opportunities!” she says.
In a press release issued by the CMPL on Dec. 15, McKenzie further said that Tech Connect will keep their community connected and open new opportunities for learning.
“In an area with limited internet and cell service, this project ensures equitable access to technology for everyone. The letters of support for our application from the community were heartwarming and validated the importance of our commitment to providing access to information and ideas that inspire, inform, and entertain. Thanks to The Commonwell’s L.E.A.F. Grant, we can now offer tools that promote digital literacy and lifelong learning,” she says.
For over 100 years, The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group has been covering the assets its clients value most; their homes, businesses, farms and equipment, seasonal properties, vehicles and boats. As a mutual insurance company their policy holders are members and have a say in shaping the company. For more information, go to www.thecommonwell.ca.
The LEAF initiative, administered by The Commonwell, invested $400,000 in 2025, continuing its steady growth and impact across the province. This year, the LEAF initiative saw an unprecedented $6.96 million in funding requests, according to the president of The Commonwell, Tim Shauf, underscoring how essential it is to the well-being of the communities that they serve.
“At The Commonwell, we are committed to building member value by caring beyond us and beyond now, and these projects represent real action behind that commitment, supporting communities where they are today and shaping stronger futures for the generations that follow,” he says.
LEAF’s mission is simple; to cultivate community resilience and capacity through program development and facility/resource upgrades in places where residents learn, play, engage, and gather. They have supported 71 community projects so far. For more information, go to www.leaf.thecommonwell.ca.
Carlow Mayo CAO Jenny Snider thought it was amazing news.
“We are very proud of our library and the commitment the library staff and the library board have to supporting the residents of Carlow Mayo. The proceeds from this grant will be a great benefit to the library and the community,” she says.
So too did Mayor Randy Wallace, who said he was very pleased they got the grant.
“I’d like to say that our municipality is very proud to be part and to support the library. I feel it’s doing very well down there and if there’s anything I can do to help them with things at the library I’ve asked them to please reach out to me,” he says.
At the announcement and celebration on Dec. 13, in addition to McKenzie, the library’s board members, kids’ club attendees, volunteers and staff were present to revel in the new funding they acquired.
“This grant has just warmed my heart once again at how supportive our community is. We put out requests to help support our project online and got so many heartfelt responses,” she says. “These supportive comments just go to show how important our local library is!”
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