~by Jacque Andrew, special to GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County Community Foundation (GCCF) awarded 18 grants amounting to $119,000 at a special recognition Monday at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Jefferson.
As donors to the GCCF’s annual drive to build its endowment were recognized by president Tom Wind, he noted that 88 Greene county residents donated $9,302. The principal of the endowment fund will be held in perpetuity while the earnings can be used for additional grants.
Wind acknowledged the GCCF board members and the board of Grow Greene County who were present. He explained that GCCF’s grant funds now come directly from the Wild Rose Casino via Grow Greene County instead of through the State of Iowa Endow Iowa formula. Both boards look forward to continued collaboration to assist projects in Greene County.
In the 11 years since the Community Foundation was established in 2005, the group has awarded 210 grants totaling $1,015,800 to 80 different Greene County non-profits.
Grants were awarded and accepted by representatives of the various groups as follows: Greene County Fair Association, $25,925 for improvements to Clover Hall, accepted by Bob Allen and Josh Hedges; Churdan fire department, $19,500 for extrication equipment, Garrett Riedesel; city of Scranton, $15,030 for 10 sets of firefighters’ turnout gear, Doug Duff and Randy Winkelman, and for the HF and Maude E. Marchant Memorial Library, $3,000, Dave Dideriksen; Jefferson fire department, $11,196 for self-contained breathing apparati, Jack Williams and Randy Love; city of Grand Junction, $8,600 for LED announcement sign for Main St, Joan Dearborn; and Grand Junction Horizons/Naked Ladies Garden Club, $2,950 for landscaping at the new Grand Junction Community Center, Pam Olerich.
Also, Greene County Early Learning Center, $7,456 for quality enhancements and space utilization, Cindi Daubendiek; Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity, $5,000 for Helping Hands project, Harry Ahrenoltz; Lincoln Highway Association, $4,668 for interpretive signage, Bob Ausberger; Jefferson park and recreation department, $3,300 for surveillance system, Sean Ostendorf; VFW Post 9599, $2,250 to finish renovation at post, Kenny Arbuckle and Don Ihnken; Greene County Extension & Outreach, $3,000 for Full Steam Ahead: Clubs for Kids, Sue Richardson, and $1,000 for community lamb barn project, Eldo Walker and Bill Taggart; Friends of Rippey, $2,025 for new sidewalk at the Community Center, Mary Weaver; Greene County, $1,850 for trailhead public art, Michelle Fields; Jefferson Matters: Main Street, $1,200 for historical plaque, Deb McGinn; and Greene County Historical Society, $1,050 for oral history project, Roger Aegerter.
