The North Thompson Communities Foundation is grateful to Barriere resident Louise Lodge. Louise has donated $65,000 towards youth initiatives in the valley. "As a youth in this community, I benefited deeply from the programs, coaches, and mentors who invested their time in me," she said. "This gift is about paying it forward. I want to ensure that the kids growing up in Barriere and through the valley have the same—and better—opportunities to play, learn, and lead." This gift will be put into the foundation's endowment fund where the principle will be preserved, while the annual earnings will be directed toward youth initiatives for years to come.