Highlights

Special Initiatives

PVR Scholarship for
​Civic Engagement

Congratulations
​to the 2026 recipients!

​St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School
Junior Maluda
Lilah-Marie Copeland 

Russell High School 
Samantha Berube

Created by the 2022–2026 PVR Trustees, this scholarship celebrates graduating students from Russell High School and St. Thomas Aquinas CHS who are heading to post‑secondary education. It honours civic involvement, community service, and social justice engagement, with an emphasis on inclusivity rather than academic performance. Students are nominated by three teachers and may include those entering trades, part‑time programs, or balancing school with employment.​

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2026 mid-year milestones

A Message from your 2022-2026 Trustees

Looking Back 
As we wrap up our 2022–2026 term, posting our latest annual report feels like the right moment to look back at everything this board has accomplished. From supporting community-driven initiatives, strengthening our processes, and ensuring full compliance with CRA requirements, it’s been a busy and rewarding experience. 
Special Thanks
Our thanks to Mike Miller for his contributions early in the term as Treasurer, and to Alison Brown for bringing her financial acumen after her appointment in 2023.
Building for the Future
We hope that we’ve built a helpful roadmap that will serve as a strong foundation for future Trustees and anyone considering candidacy. With an election on the horizon and as candidates for the upcoming term, we would be honoured to continue contributing to the progress already underway.
​
Thank you for the trust, conversations, and community spirit that have made this term so meaningful.

regards,
Juliane Bankley, Alison Brown, Stephanie MacMillan 

Highlights from our term

​Alongside our community‑focused initiatives, the Board also dedicated significant effort to
behind‑the‑scenes work to build a solid foundation for future Trustee work.

You can explore these and many more in our year-end activity reports. 
Check out some of our ongoing supported projects for local events and volunteer‑led initiatives.

Developed & Improved. 

​​Application Process Revamp. Streamlined forms, clarified criteria, and introduced consistent templates to create a smoother, more accessible application experience.
Community Outreach. Connected with organizations unfamiliar with the PVR, helping them understand criteria and explore funding opportunities.
Historical Application Review. Analyzed past applications to strengthen long‑term records and guide outreach to groups who may benefit from PVR funding.
Provincial Heritage Plaque Request. Submitted a request to the Ontario Heritage Trust to commemorate the Police Village of Russell as Ontario’s last remaining Police Village.
PVR Scholarship for Civic Engagement. Initiated to celebrate emerging civic leaders and encourage youth engagement across the community.
Russell 125 Celebrations. Rallied local volunteer‑based organizations, sparking lively discussions and fresh ideas that led to four dynamic, community‑led projects celebrating Russell’s 125th anniversary.
Updated PVR Banner. Produced a refreshed promotional banner to support future events, outreach, and community visibility.
Website Renewal. Modernized content and drafted a full redesign to improve clarity, navigation, and long‑term continuity.

Governance & Stewardship Work. 

​​Fiduciary Responsibilities. Enhanced financial oversight by updating reporting procedures with accounting representatives and ensuring full compliance with current CRA requirements.
Guidance Documents. Strengthened governance by updating PVR Guidelines and Protocols, clarifying Trustee roles, and introducing a Workplace Violence and Harassment policy.
Role Clarity. Finalized an evergreen Trustee job description to support continuity and onboarding.
Online Information Management. Built a Google Shared Drive system for shared email, records access, and long‑term archiving to support transparency and smooth succession planning.
Trustee Appointment Criteria. Established clear criteria, roles, and a selection process to guide future appointments in the event of a resignation.

Supported Projects

Below are just a few of over 200 exciting initiatives partially funded by the PVR Trust, and completed with the support of various community organizations, local sponsors, and many hours of dedicated volunteer work.

Keep Russell Blooming

For over 20 years, the Russell Village Women’s Institute has been providing and maintaining hanging flower baskets and seasonnal ground planters in
​the heart of Russell Village.

Canada Day Fireworks!

As part of the Russell Agricultural Society annual celebrations, the Canada Day fireworks draw in excess of 4,500 people to the fair grounds to celebrate our national holiday under the stars. 

Restoration of 1952 Fire Truck 

Displayed at the Keith Boyd Museum Fire Hall, this classic, fully functional fire truck appears at local fairs and parades on an annual basis.

Below is a slideshow of many of the projects we've supported over the years.