Contact:
Ann Carpenter, Advisory Board Chair
O'Brien County Community Foundation (712)-261-9677
Debbie Hubbard, Executive Director
Siouxland Community Foundation (712)-293-3303
O'BRIEN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS
The O'Brien County Community Foundation (OBCCF) recently awarded grants totaling $97,315 to twenty-six nonprofit organizations in support of projects and programs throughout O'Brien County. Since the first grants were made in 2006, over $366,000 has been awarded. Funding for the grant program is a result of County Endowment Fund legislation (HF2302) passed in 2005 which provides that a percentage of the state's gambling revenues is to be distributed among all Iowa counties that do not have a gambling entity.
"The OBCCF has had the opportunity to help various nonprofit organizations throughout the past few years. For example, we have awarded grants to help preserve the history of our county, for building updates to area fire departments, and to modernize daycare equipment in various communities." stated Ann Carpenter, OBCCF Advisory Board Chair.
The OBCCF was formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation and is governed by a local nine-member advisory board composed of representatives from each of the communities in O'Brien County: Archer, Calumet, Hartley, Paullina, Primghar, Sanborn, Sheldon, and Sutherland; as well as one county-at-large member.
The mission of the O'Brien County Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the communities served by encouraging permanent charitable giving to meet the needs of present and future generations.
The following are recently awarded grants from the OBCCF:
Arts and Culture
Grant Township - $1,529: Funding to paint and repair Covey Church, which is used for tourism and heritage.
Sheldon Prairie Museum - $1,800: Funding toward purchase and installation of insulation for museum dome area and attic.
Civic and Community
American Legion, Post 95 - $2,500: Fiscal Sponsor is City of Paullina. Funds will support building a permanent memorial honoring military veterans.
American Legion, Post 152 - $2,500: Fiscal Sponsor is City of Sutherland. Funds will support building a monument for veterans with engraved names.
City of Calumet - $3,020: Funding toward materials and labor for new roof, painting and lighting for bathroom building at City Park.
Hartley Fire Department - $3,500: Support for wildland/extrication carbon fiber gear used for prescribed burn program and rescue calls.
Hartley Park and Recreation Board - $2,500: Funding to replace furnishings and equipment at public swimming pool, including bike rack, lounge chairs, life guard chair and heaters.
Northwest Iowa Community College - $3,500: Funding toward pumper trailer with stainless steel tank, valves and flow testing equipment for pump operator training for area fire fighters.
O'Brien County Fair Board - $4,500: Fiscal Sponsor is City of Primghar. Funding for plumbing and electrical materials needed for restroom in new building at fairgrounds.
Paullina Ambulance Service - $6,835: For purchase of a pulse oximeter/defibrillator to provide better health care for ambulance patients.
Paullina Fire Department - $4,013: For purchase of heavy-duty clothes washer for fire fighter uniforms.
Primghar Chamber of Commerce - $5,000: Fiscal Sponsor is City of Primghar. Support toward purchase and installation of an electronic message sign to provide community information.
Sheldon Park and Recreation Department - $3,400: Funding toward new concession stand at city ball fields. Funds will support purchase of materials, water line installation and construction costs.
Education
Hartley Community Day Care - $8,000: Funding to help renovate center with safety features and purchase of client software program, freezer and dishwashers.
Kids Express Daycare - $8,971: Funding for flooring replacement to provide a safer and healthier environment for children.
Kids Kampus Daycare - $3,464: Funding will replace and add equipment for infant/toddler play area including shelving, chairs, block sets, kitchen set, cots, and storage cart.
Little Sioux Valley Conservation Association - $6,000: Funding toward canoe, safety equipment and trailer. Project will teach recreational skills to support enjoyment of activity and care of environment.
Paullina Public Library - $1,000: For the purchase of ESL materials to have available to the community. Funds will go toward print, audio and video resources.
Sheldon Community Daycare Center - $6,000: Funding toward playground updates for 4 - 6 year olds, including widening sidewalk, installing cement ramp, fencing and pea rock surfacing.
South O'Brien Elementary School - $3,000: Support toward new chain link fencing and gates for playground.
Health
Baum Harmon Mercy Hospital - $5,000: Funding toward an Achilles Express System for assessment of bone mineral density for detection of osteoporosis in hospital-sponsored screening clinics.
O'Brien County Extension - $5,000: For Rock Into Fitness; a six week program that targets middle school youth to promote physical, nutritional and emotional wellness.
Human Services
Family Crisis Centers of NW Iowa - $1,310: Funding for informational materials to reach out to adult and child victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Rotary Club of Rock Valley Foundation - $1,575: Funding to support costs for volunteers to provide services to 16 home-based seniors through the Senior Companion Program.
Rotary Club of Rock Valley Foundation - $398: Funding toward a computer training class for foster grandparents so they can assist children in classrooms.
Village Northwest Unlimited - $3,000: For the purchase of a wheelchair accessible shuttle golf cart for clients to utilize on grounds.
Robin Bollinger, Outreach Coordinator
Siouxland Community Foundation
505 5th Street, Suite 412
Sioux City, IA 51101
phone/fax: (712)-293-3303
