Local organizations officially received their 2016 funding allocations from the United Way Okotoks branch.

Over $100,000 in funding was dished out to 12 different groups in various amounts pending on their needs.

Staff Liaison for the United Way Okotoks Debbie Posey says the grants values given out this year are phenomenal.

"We get a base grant from the United Way Calgary and then the local committee is in charge of community investments for those funds as well as raising extra funds and awareness in the community about social needs," she says.

The organizations receiving donations are:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary & Area – Mentoring in Okotoks $12,250
Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services – FCIS Multicultural Event $ 1,750
Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services – FCIS Volunteer Coordinator $11,000
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools – Connections Program $ 5,000
Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society – Baby Talk Program $10,000
Foothills School Division – Connections Program $10,000
Foothills Special Needs Association for Parents and Siblings (SNAPS) $12,000
High River & District Parent Link – Okotoks Program $10,000
KidSport Okotoks – All Kids Play in the 4th Quarter Program $ 5,000
Literacy for Life Foundation – Dog Tales and Beyond Program $ 5,000
Literacy for Life Foundation – Building Blocks Program $ 8,000
Rowan House Society – Branches Preventative Education Program $10,000

Posey says she credits the community for helping the United Way for making these donations possible.

"I think they're all very worth while organizations and programs that run locally to support Okotoks and area residents and the committee is all volunteers and they take their jobs seriously and I think they;ve done an excellent job allocating the funding available."

Posey says the United Way has grown leaps and bounds with how they get involved with the community to raise money for the funding.

"From the Dawgs game, walking in the parade, Harvest Fest and the roof top event. They've raised quite a significant amount of interest and awareness so our donations were up and also the amount of funding that was raised by the local committee just at some of those town events have made a huge difference."

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