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 (Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) [Click to enlarge] |
The $142,169 represents the largest amount the foundation has been able to award in grants in the four years it has existed.
The awards were presented during a breakfast meeting Dec. 11 at Primebank by foundation president Carol Schneider and board members.
 (Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) [Click to enlarge] |
"It's heartwarming to us as board members to pass this money on to these organizations and groups," said Schneider.
A total of 37 grant applications were submitted to the local community foundation in early October. Grant requests included projects that addressed youth, education, arts, health services, and community development.
 (Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) [Click to enlarge] |
The projects funded with 2009 grants are:
Akron Children's Center Program, expansion and office equipment - $2,700
 (Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) [Click to enlarge] |
Akron Park Board, Lefty Swift Ball field improvements and bleachers - $10,000
Beautification Babes, handicapped accessible Hinton City park entrance, paved trails and fencing - $7,000
 (Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) [Click to enlarge] |
City of Oyens, purchase and installation of water meters - $10,000
Coalition of Plymouth County Libraries, purchase of meeting room chairs $2,500
Le Mars Backpack Program through The Food Bank of Siouxland, Inc., providing food for families - $8,000
Kingsley Ambulance, purchase of electronic ambulance cart- $10,000
Le Mars Ambulance Service, purchase of an electronic ambulance cart - $8,000
Le Mars Area Dialysis Services, purchase of furniture and equipment - $10,000
Le Mars Arts Council, expansion of Kindermusik children's programming - $550
Le Mars Arts Council, identification signs for Plymouth County barn quilts - $810
Le Mars Day Care, expansion and enhancement of the pre-school space and programming - $5,000
Le Mars Area Family YMCA, "Go Green" energy efficient florescent lighting for the YMCA Gymnasium - $7,000
Life Skills Training Center, purchase of computers for administration and rehabilitation program - $2,412.
Lucky Leprechauns, a student initiative at the Hinton Community School provides adequate clothing and supplies, given anonymously by a Leprechaun - $5,000
Merrill Public Library, purchase new copy machine and children's books - $1,000
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Emergency Assistance to Low Income Families experiencing hardship - $5,600
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, incentives for Quality Parenting Skills project and supplying the Teddy Bear Den - $3,000
Plains Area Mental Health, providing Mental Health First Aid USA; a 12-hr training course for the public $3,000
Plymouth County Extension, purchase of a laptop computers and LCD projectors for educational programs - $4,508
Plymouth County Senior Helpmates Program, fuel reimbursement for volunteers to drive senior citizens to appointments - $4,700
Plymouth County Historical Museum, tables and chairs for the Old Central High School study hall - $2,700
Siouxland Youth for Christ, funds for City Life Program, an after school program for at-risk children $7,500
St. Catherine School, purchase and relocate used playground equipment to the school grounds - $2,789
St. Mary's Schools, purchase and relocation of a boiler and exercise equipment - $10,000
Member of the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County board are: Wayne Plendl, Kingsley; Norine Harvey, Remsen; Sharon Frerichs, Akron; Mike Porter, Carol Schneider, and Jane Scheitler, Le Mars; Wayne Schlotfeldt, Brunsville; Ken Spies and Nate Nelson, Hinton.
Members of the grant selection committee include: Jack Guenthner of Le Mars, Bill Farmer of Hinton, Al Weber of Kingsley, Angela Ericson of Akron and Sara Jane Hauff Also, Wayne Plendl of Kingsley and Norine Harvey of Remsen represented the Community Foundation board on the selection committee.
The Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County was organized in April 2005. The local foundation is affiliated with the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation.
Two local Seed Funds have started during the past year including the formation of the Merrill Community Foundation and the Plymouth County 4-H Foundation.
"The Iowa Legislature's desire was to see the gambling revenue used to help promote local philanthropy and that is happening as we see local foundations form," said Schneider.
Anyone interested in forming a foundation or becoming a part of the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County should contact the local foundation board members.
State Representative Chuck Soderberg attended Friday's presentation.
The intent of the legislation on community foundations was to put the gambling money to a greater use in the state, he noted. Soderberg said he was pleased with the projects chosen for funding.
"It's wonderful to present these grants during the Christmas season," Soderberg said. "Even with the current state of the econoomy, we are blessed in this county."
In 2006, the foundation funded 13 projects with $43,566.
In 2007, 18 projects were funded with $55,974.
In 2008, a total of $106,478 was awarded for 26 projects.
"We may not continue with that high a figure to award, but we encourage groups to apply," Schneider said.
She also encouraged city officials to think of how they can improve the quality of life in their communities with foundation grants.
The next grant application deadline for funds from the Community Foundation of Greater Plymouth County will be early in the fall of 2010. Non-profit groups and organizations are encouraged to submit applications for the 2010 distribution of grant funds.
Applications may be obtained from the Iowa Community Foundations website at http://www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/ or the Plymouth County Extension website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/plymout....