Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
December 2019

Wilson Community Foundation Inc., Wilson Czech Tourism Hub - Stage 2

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $19,800.00, Awarded 4/3/2019

Project Summary: Wilson Czech Tourism Hub completed our first stage of an Interactive Tourism Board
and creation of 7 four foot Czech Eggs to guide tourist through our historic district. Next step guides and
communicates sites attracting business to the community.

Use of Funds: The funds were used to design and place 5 guiding signs in the city, a video camera, a mist cooling
tent system and Bike Across Kansas supplemental entertainment.

Impact & Results: The signage has been huge in showing the pride the community has in its sites. The sign
was designed to showcase the design of the World’s Largest Czech Egg. We have heard from past residents and
tourists how helpful they are finding different locations in the city. The senior center has asked us to add their
location onto the current signs - which we are doing. However, the cost of the signs was $2,500 more than we
anticipated so we have not completed the Butterfield Dispatch sign yet. We do have the money in our coffers to
complete and are currently picking out the rock to do so. Our intent is to work with the Chamber of Commerce
and place it by the World’s Largest Czech Egg. The Bike Across Kansas Event was a tremendous success. The
spray tent was positioned by the World’s Largest Czech Egg so the bicyclists could cool off as they came into
town. We also had a musical duo at that location. The musical supplement went to Jake Gill and his band. The
bicyclist gathered there with the town people to listen to music and enjoy conversation. Unfortunately, a large
thunderstorm came up and we had to cut the second half off but everyone stuck around and enjoyed the
camaraderie. Local citizens and visitors alike were impressed with the success and local cooperation on all events
for BAK. Stephanie Weaver, the executive director, thought it was one of the best stops they had. This would not
be possible without the local support of the Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation.

City of Kanopolis, Kanopolis Clean-Up Beautificaton 2019

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $4,496.00, Awarded 4/3/2019

Project Summary: The Kanopolis Strategic Doing Group wants to continue the community beautification/
clean-up events that were started two years ago supported by a Dane G. Hansen Clean-Up Grant. Community
beautification/clean-up is an ongoing process.

Use of Funds: Dumpster delivery fee: Dumpster hauling, landfill fees, tire disposal, trash bags, copy paper,
equipment, fuel and paint.

Impact & Results: The Kanopolis Strategic Doing Group held a Community Cleanup Event the week of June
24 - July 1. With the help of volunteers, we filled ten dumpsters during that week. We collected 4.9 tons of tires to

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be recycled by Champlin Tire Recycling Inc. In April, we provided trash bags for the “Give Back to the Community
Day” held by the Kanopolis Middle School students, faculty and staff. They filled over 80 trash bags with leaves and
litter. Men from the Fort Harker Men’s Club picked up the filled trash bags and took them to the Ellsworth County
Landfill. During the second week in October we held a mini-event providing dumpsters to Kanopolis residents. The
residents hauled their own things and filled two dumpsters during the mini-event. Residents are becoming more
and more aware of the importance of making Kanopolis more attractive and are working hard to keep clutter out
of their yards.

USD 327, Outdoor Learning Space

Smoky Hills Community Fund, $744.00
Awarded 4/3/2019
Project Summary: Kanopolis Middle School is currently in the
process of developing outdoor learning spaces. These outdoor
spaces will be utilized by KMS students throughout the school
year as they develop a lifelong love of learning and the outdoors.
Use of Funds: We used the grant funds for the purchase and
shipping of our 1st (of planned 4) outside learning space tables.
We purchased a 46 inch octagonal expanded metal table
and set it up outside the KMS library, on the concrete outside
learning space area.
Impact & Results: One impact this grant had was the ability to secure funding for 2 more tables to work towards
our completed goal. As other organizations saw the need to help complete what we were able to start with this
grant, it allowed them to dedicate funds towards our project. In terms of student impact, one way this table has
been used to date is for small groups to meet outside during our Bulldog Time. Some Bulldog Time groups have
practiced “listening mindfulness” at this space, which is a practice that helps students develop their ability to
focus on one thing at a time. Another way this table has been used is for reading and sharing groups. The ability
for students to work under classroom expectations, in a different setting, helps our students learn how to transfer
civil expectations outside the 4 walls of a classroom. Unfortunately, the full extent of our plan is still not reached as
one table is not large enough for normal classes. Hopefully, as we have received funding for 2 more tables, the full
impact of creating an outdoor learning space will be realized before the end of this academic year (May 2020).

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Kanopolis Sunflower Civic Club, PA System

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$4,193.00 Awarded 10/1/2019

Project Summary: The old outdated PA system in the community building needs
to be replaced.

Use of Funds: On October 13, Brian Hopp from Hopp’s Sound of McPherson KS
installed eight speakers in the ceiling of the Kanopolis Community Building along
with a four channel Amplifier, Microphone and Headset.

Impact & Results: We feel it was a very successful evening with only one complaint,
that it was too loud!? On November 9, 2019 approximately 180 people enjoyed
uninterrupted sound as the Annual Fall Bingo was successfully enjoyed at this family fun night! Many families look
forward to this annual event - some even travel 60 miles to enjoy the evening with family and friends. In the future,
anyone who rents the building from the City of Kanopolis will be able to enjoy this speaker system for many years
to come.

Ellsworth Housing Authority, The Pines Apartments,

Smoky Hills Community Fund, $20,000.00, Awarded 4/3/2019

Project Summary: The Ellsworth Housing Authority has to upgrade the existing elevator motor and hydraulic
system at The Pines Apartments, a low-income housing facility for elderly and disabled citizens. This will ensure the
safety of the people in our care.

Use of Funds: The funds from this grant are slated for use on the modernization of our elevator. Due to high work
load of the KONE, Inc elevator company, this project has been scheduled for January 2020, therefore, funds from
this grant have not been utilized.

Impact & Results: We are very anxiously awaiting the modernization of our elevator because the current elevator
is original to the building, which is over 40 years old. It is beginning to show its age in minor issues, so getting a
new motor, hydraulics and general overhaul of all components is very exciting and will be wonderful for the safety
and ease of getting up and down to the upper floor. When we first began looking into this project the anticipated
completion date was June or July 2019, however, because of an increase in the workload of KONE, Inc. Elevator
Co., they moved the completion date of our project back to January 2020. We are looking forward to getting this
project completed this winter and we greatly appreciate this grant that will help fund this major project at
our facility.

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City of Ellsworth, Ellsworth Kiwanis
Splash Park Access Improvement Project

Smoky Hills Community Fund,
$13,328.00, Awarded 4/3/2019
Project Summary: This proposed project request will
complete the necessary access points to the splash pad
and new restroom facility. The additional upgrades to
Preisker Park will increase the park’s usage and encourage
our residents & visitors to plan more visits.
Use of Funds: The SHCF funds were spent on connecting
the splash pad restroom to an ADA accessible parking lot
and connected the park sidewalk to an existing sidewalk
in Preisker Park. Several child care providers in the
neighborhood appreciated the project.
Impact & Results: The Ellsworth community is grateful
to have received the funding to complete the additional
parking and sidewalk improvements in and around the
new splash park. The families that reside near Preisker
Park have expressed their appreciation for seeing the city
and Kiwanis Club raise the money to build the splash park in their neighborhood. The last major investment made
in this section of the city dates back to the 1930s.
The splash park addition has renewed and inspire the citizens to seek other partnerships opportunities to help
improve other areas of the community. We feel this grant played a key role in the Splash Pad Committee’s drive
and determination to see the projected opened in July. Without the additional funding, the grand opening would
have been pushed back to August. The splash park has inspired our city leaders and citizens to view partnerships
as a viable and integral source to initiate and achieve collaborative community endeavors. Thank you for
supporting our project and other projects in the community and region.

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