The Foundation for Rural Living (FRL) was founded in 1979 as a registered charity who's mission is to advance the rural non-profit and voluntary sector, build sustainable rural capacity and enhance the quality of life for rural citizens. Various programs and partnership endeavours aim to advance the role and interests of the charitable sector for the benefit of rural communities.

FRL has initiated and partnered in key programs including The Ontario Rural Council and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. During the Ice Storm of 1998, FRL established the Ontario Rural Relief Fund, which raised over $500,000 for rural communities affected by this disaster.

The 'Awards of Rural Excellence' program was initiated in 1999 to recognize the excellence emerging from rural Ontario and to promote those initiatives to other organizations throughout the province. Contribution to community and a view toward enhancing and sustaining the future are the cornerstones of the awards criteria.
The following organizations in North Kawartha were recently nominated for one or more of FRL's seven award categories:

The Apsley Woman's Institute for Excellence in Community Leadership
The Apsley Community Care for Outstanding Voluntarism and/or Partnership in the Voluntary Sector
Pastor John Trotter & the Apsley Community Chapel Youth Program for Outstanding Rural Youth Achievement

For more information contact:
Anita Hayes, Manager (519) 826-4126
Joanne Peach, Communications Specialist (519) 826-3815
Email: awards@frl.on.ca

We are passing along the following message from the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce regarding the flood on July 15th.
As you may have seen or heard in recent news reports a flood devastated the Peterborough Ontario area on July 15. Mother Nature was extremely unforgiving, dumping approximately 7- 9 inches of rain in about 6 hours. As a result there are an alarming number of homeowners and businesses that are facing dramatic losses. Approximately 2,700 homeowners, and 260 businesses find they are not covered by their insurance policies, typically because their damage has been caused by a flood, not sewage back-up. Fortunately the majority of businesses/homeowners are covered, but we as a Chamber would like to help those who are not. We feel that the flood was a great equalizer. The Insurance Companies are certainly keeping up their end of the bargain, but we feel those businesses/homeowners who find themselves without coverage ought to have some help.
Our Chamber of Commerce has approved a $25,000 donation to the Peterborough Flood Relief Fund. We have encouraged our 850 members to contribute as well. We are asking you to consider a donation on behalf of your company. There are three reasons:
1. The Province of Ontario will match your donation on a two-to-one basis (see below).
2. Your donation will be tax-deductible.
3. When coupled with donations from other like-minded businesses across the Country, along with the matching funds, your donation will have a significant impact, helping fellow businesses and homeowners.

Please make your cheque payable to:
Peterborough Flood Relief Fund
C/O City of Peterborough,
500 George St. N. Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9
Attn: RoseMary Reid
City Administrator's Office.

Other flood-related information, is available on the City of Peterborough website at: www.city.peterborough.on.ca