Eleven area non-profits are each a step closer to their goals thanks to $10,000 awarded through the Lynnville United Fund on July 19. From updating emergency equipment to purchasing puppets for a children’s ministry, the grant money provides significant support for a variety of worthy causes.
A letter campaign back in April raised money for the fund, which is now co-governed by the Lynnville Chamber and Keep Iowa Beautiful (KIB) Lynnville Hometown Pride Committee.
New this year, an application process was implemented to award the money. Non-profit organizations in the Lynnville-Sully School District’s geographic area were encouraged to apply for the grant money before July 15 through a simple application.
Then, on Wednesday, July 19, applicants were asked to give a five-minute verbal presentation to the KIB Lynnville United Fund Committee at Lynnville City Hall.
“I was really impressed with all the organizations and the work they do around Lynnville,” said committee member Linda Russell. “The presenters were very enthusiastic, and you could see the passion they all had for their projects. It made the process more difficult because they were all deserving.”
The committee determined how the $10,000 would be divvied up and proceeded with delivering checks to the 11 different organizations. The groups must now spend the award money before Apr. 1, 2018.
“I feel like for our first year, the selection of Lynnville United Fund recipients went really well,” noted James Walkup, one of the Lynnville United Fund Committee members. “Plus, it was good to listen and learn about some of the specific projects the organizations are doing.”
ORGANIZATION: Lynnville Emergency Services
PROJECT: General Operating Expenses
SUMMARY: “We are a volunteer department. Any funds received come from fundraisers and donations from the people in the community. We need to make sure our equipment is up to date, including vehicles and bunker gear. Our radios need to be updated as well.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,850
ORGANIZATION: Lynnville-Sully After Prom
PROJECT: General Operating Expenses
SUMMARY: “As part of the after-prom festivities, the following are provided: Free food, fun-filled games and activities, prizes, and a show (entertainment). We are looking for funds to help with these costs.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $250
ORGANIZATION: Inspirations Childcare & Preschool Center
PROJECT: Emergency Exit Route
SUMMARY: “Inspirations’ current emergency preparedness plan, a requirement of the Iowa Department of Human Services, was established upon entering its new facility in 2014. At that time, funds were too tight to establish a paved sidewalk outside the infant and toddler classrooms. Per DHS requirements, infant room teachers are required to place up to four infants in one crib upon an emergency evacuation. The current layout of our playground area requires cribs to be pushed through grass to the gate, which is located in the opposite corner from the building exits. To ensure a fast exit, a new walk gate is needed closer to the building exits. Additionally, concrete sidewalks from the building exits to the gate would ensure a fast exit.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $500
ORGANIZATION: Lynnville Historical Society
PROJECT: Restoration of Water Turbine Gears
SUMMARY: “The gear teeth at Wagaman Mill are made from wood. They are getting rotten and breaking. These teeth transmit power from the turbine to the belts and pulleys. If the teeth break, we will no longer be able to run the turbine to show how water power works. We may be able to make new teeth from vinyl, and that way, the floods and moisture won’t harm the teeth. The teeth are not supposed to go under water, but with the floods we have had in the last few years, the gears with the wood teeth go under water, and the teeth decay.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,500
ORGANIZATION: Friends of the Lynnville Public Library
PROJECT: General Operating Expenses
SUMMARY: “The Lynnville Public Library has a circulation of over 13,500 items per year; however, it has no budget for new books, videos, DVDs, audio books, software, magazines, and newspapers. In order to keep patrons placated, it is essential to have new materials. With rising costs in the capital budget, we find ourselves experiencing difficulty in attaining funds for the new materials needed and rely on donations and grants. This grant will allow us to purchase new items and keep our library a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can find and freely use a diversity of resources right here in Lynnville, Iowa.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,500
ORGANIZATION: Diamond Trail Children’s Center
PROJECT: Dramatic Play Addition
SUMMARY: “The DTCC would like to increase the amount of dramatic play activities that we currently have at the center or replace some items that are worn out. There are significant reasons to provide a variety of dramatic play for the children that attend the center. First of all, dramatic play teaches self regulation. Young kids are known for acting impulsively, but dramatic play helps regulate impulsive behavior. Dra-matic play also gives children an emotional outlet and helps them act out things they have seen in real life. It helps the staff to support and encourage the children's ideas.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,000
ORGANIZATION: Lynnville Heart of Worship
PROJECT: Pay It Forward
SUMMARY: “The Pay it Forward free clothing drive is in need of upgrades for its operation. Since it began, clothes that have been donated have been stored in church members' basements and garages. Grant money will be used to purchase supplies to make some storage drop-offs for donations. Money will also be used to purchase a vehicle that would allow Pay It Forward staff members to transport families to the free event.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,000
ORGANIZATION: Lynn Grove Hustlers 4-H Club
PROJECT: General Operating Expenses
SUMMARY: “The Lynn Grove Hustlers are a non-profit 4-H Club whose sole purpose is to help better the community. Just like the 4-H Pledge, they use their heads, hearts, health, and hands. They love to do community service, help support a local organization. 4-H is an organization that helps build life skills that the members will take with them and use for the rest of their lives.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $100
ORGANIZATION: Smoke on the Water
PROJECT: General Operating Expenses
SUMMARY: “The money will be used to assist with the general funds needed to operate Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition and Benefit. Funds are needed to help cover purchase of meat in excess of $2,500 as well as all other general expenses for the event. All remaining funds are then given to the beneficiary at the end of the event, less a small amount to cover start-up and expenses for the following year.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,000
ORGANIZATION: L-S Community Education Foundation
PROJECT: Books for Building Brains Drive
SUMMARY: “The LSCEF is proud of the excellent education students receive at L-S and by doing the Books for Building Brains (BBB) Drive, the LSCEF will be able to support this valuable education in the students' homes. The BBB Drive will allow students, K-5, to take three to five books home before spring break during the 2017-18 school year. These books will become the student's and they will be able to keep them for further reading in the summer as well. Research has shown that having books in the home and reading them during breaks from school help students retain information longer. The LSCEF sees this drive as being a valuable part of its mission to enhance education at L-S.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $1,000
ORGANIZATION: Sully First Reformed Church
PROJECT: Puppet Ministry
SUMMARY: “Sully First Reformed Church would like to begin a puppet ministry to be used with its after-school STARS Program, which reaches K-5 students in the L-S School District. Puppets can be used to tell a story and share important biblical messages. Puppets can make us laugh, cry, and understand life events. In addition, middle school-high school youth can be a part of ministry through the puppet ministry as they run the puppets.”
AMOUNT AWARDED: $300
