10/04/13 This week the Marshall County Community Foundation awarded $86,065 in grants to a dozen different organizations and half of them receiving their total request.
Wednesday afternoon members of the organizations and agencies gathered at the Key Bank conference room to receive their awards and tell about the projects they will be starting and or completing with the funds received.
The Antiquarian and Historical Society of Culver received $15,000. Jim Peterson, President of the organization said they will be creating a visitor’s center through renovations of the museum and will purchase equipment and furniture for the center.
Beyond the Boundaries was granted $2,250 for continuing education for ten teachers to participate in training for dyslexic students.
$4,000 was awarded to Boy Scout Troop 251 to purchase a new cargo trailer. Mike Stephan said the current trailer is over packed by 600 pounds. It’s rusty and has a bent axel. The grant from the Community Foundation will purchase the trailer and the scouts will raise additional funds to purchase shelving and have the trailer wrapped with graphics that will include logos for those who donated to help the cause.
The Church of the Heartland in Bourbon has recently started a Blue and Gold after school program in the old hardware. They were awarded a grant in the amount of $1,800. Currently the program is averaging 20 kids on Tuesday and Thursdays. The program offers homework help, life skills, mentoring and activities. The money will purchase educational and entertainment equipment including I pads and a game system.
Junior Achievement recently started in Marshall County. A $4,5000 grant will increase the JA program from 30 classes to 40.
$3,100 was awarded to the Lincoln Junior High for the afterschool Robotics Club. Steve Miller, advisor said there are 40 kids meeting twice a week after school. The money will purchase remote controls for the robots and allow the club to participate in club games and competitions at other schools.
The Marshall County Neighborhood Center received $15,000 to purchase a cargo van to transport food donations and food orders. Sara Hill, Executive Director explained the help they give to unstable families including providing a food and clothing pantry. Tens of thousands of pounds of food passes through the center each year and the van will allow the center to “grow forward” a theme the Neighborhood Center lives by.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association was awarded $1,200 to assist a couple children from the county attend summer camp next year.
$2,500 will help the Trinity United Methodist Church implement the “Kids’ Hope USA Program” to provide mentoring for at-risk youth. Pastor Mark said they will be working with a local elementary school to offer one-to-one mentoring one hour a week. During the program the kid will develop a relationship with the adult they are partnered with. Adults will provide positive and affirming contact with the children.
The Triton School Corporation received two grants; $2,215 to purchase new had back books and e-books for the Jr. Sr. High School Media Center and a grant $10,500 to purchase infant simulators and training packages for the Family and Consumer Science Classes. Superintendent Donna Burroughs said, “With shrinking school budgets and students being encouraged to attain higher reading levels, new material is needed in the school library.” The infant simulators the school has had for years have died, thus the need for new ones. Along with regular babies simulators the grant funds will allow them to purchase infant simulators that exhibit the shaken baby syndrome, a fetal alcohol syndrome baby and a drug affected baby. The special babies will be shared with the other schools in the county.
The Women’s Care Center will be making building repairs and renovations with their $19,000 grant. Cindy Casper said new windows and a door will help to keep the lobby area warmer this winter. She also noted that parents of half of the babies born in Marshall County use their support services.
The final Community Foundation grant awarded was a pro-active grant to Blessings In A Backpack. The total grant was $5,000.00 to be distributed in increments of $1,000 to each school in the county that has or begins the program. As of Tuesday, three schools will each receive $1,000 Argos, Plymouth and Triton. Blessings In a Backpack provides weekend meals; two breakfast items, two lunch items, two drinks, and two snacks to select student who are low income. Plymouth currently feeds 200 kids weekly while Triton will now be up to 30 with the grant and Argos will add 12 more to their program. It costs the program $80 to feed one child for the school year.
