Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
January 2020

Osborne Free Methodist Church, Recalibration

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $4,000, Awarded 11/24/2018

Project Summary: Our church is providing a place for youths and adults to live out the great commission in
fellowship together. We are seeking to make our facilities inviting and accessible to all demographics. We have
a small budget and a small congregation of 50 members. We are doing major facility recalibration. In an ever
changing world trying to meet the needs of the elderly and the needs of young kids is challenging.

As a small church our facilities have fallen behind the times. We are looking to re-calibrate aspects of our physical
location to make the space more inviting and welcoming to all community members. Restroom facilities,
landscaping, technology, lighting, kitchen, signs, parking lot, fellowship hall, and sanctuary remodels. We have
surveyed and evaluated each space and determined what needs to be done in order that the space could be used
to full potential.

Use of Funds: Funds were used to purchase necessary items for updates.

Impact & Results: We increased the square footage of our kitchen by double, taking out a wall and reshaping
the space! We were able to add over 8 feet of counter and serving space. We look forward to community services
that will be held in our building as we can now serve without needing extra tables in the seating area. We are very
excited! Not only gaining more kitchen space, but allowing us to increase our seating as well!

Our old appliances have been upgraded and we hope to cook things evenly in a new stove and avoid the
maintenance of a leaky fridge. The counter top’s age was showing as seams were showing and becoming uneven.
New sinks, hardware, back-splash and counter tops give the space a clean and fresh feeling. The wall facing out from
the kitchen has had a tremendous face lift by adding the rock, giving the room a modern feel.

Because of the grant we were able to complete the full project in a very timely manor! Without the funding
we would still be in the fund raising stages. The funding was also a huge encouragement to our members
and people who use the space. We had a couple different work days and many people gave time to make this
project happen.

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Bringing it home to OZ, Inc.,
Flight Squad Comedy Basketball
Event and Assembly Fundraiser

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$2,700, Awarded 04/25/2019

Project Summary: We would like to bring a professional exhibition basketball
team known as the Flight Squad to play a “local” team, and do an assembly for
K-12 where students will learn the importance of respect, education and study,
and an anti-bullying message.

Use of Funds: The grant to Bringing it home to OZ was paid directly to the Flight
Squad, as our first installment towards securing our event date for the school
assembly and exhibition game.

Impact & Results: Our goal as an organization is to continue to improve
the economic and community wellbeing of Osborne and the surrounding
communities. We brought the Downs, Natoma, Osborne and Tipton schools
together to share in the Flight Squad assembly. The amount of positive impact
created by inviting the schools and communities to come together to share
in this function has been amazing. We wanted to reach the children through
the assembly with a message of unity, respect, hope, saying no to drugs, anti-
bullying and the ability to work together, no matter what town you live in. We
had over 300 children at the assembly, as well as over 300 at our exhibition
game that night. Our “hometown” team was comprised of area school faculty,
business people, former athletes & law enforcement from Downs and Osborne,
and the referees were from Osborne & Natoma. We also had the Jr. Class handle
concessions, and it served as a fundraiser for them. We are making every effort to
bring our communities together with the understanding that this is how our rural
way of life is going to survive - that we work as one! Because of this event, and
our Draggin’ Main Event, we are happy to have acquired some new volunteers
to our group, and garnered community support from not only Osborne, but
outlying communities as well! We are so thankful for OCCF’s support to help us
towards achieving our goals! Thank you!

USD 392, Osborne School Wood Shop

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$7,104, Awarded 11/19/2019

Project Summary: This is to provide our shop with the proper safety equipment for our students. This money will
buy a SawStop saw. SawStop table saws all have a safety features which will stop a saw blade and prevent many of
the injuries common to the table saw.

Use of Funds: The funds were used to purchase a “saw stop” saw for the wood shop. This provides for the safety of
our students and also allows us the opportunity for younger students to participate in the program.

Impact & Results: This particular tool is going to open the door for a larger number of students and allow them
to start at a younger age. With this opportunity students will be able to grow and expand on their knowledge that
they receive from the industrial arts area of the school. It is a trait that will provide them life long skills, even if their

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career choice follows a different path. This continues to provide to students the opportunity to grow and see many
facets of the school offerings. The main focus of this tool is student safety and providing them the opportunity to
grow within a program. Being an advocate for youth and giving them opportunities in a safe environment while
advancing their skills has to be a true focus of the schools, this tool provides that first step in doing so. I see this tool
being used extensively and the projects the students will be working on outstanding. With the help of this very
generous grant we will be able to continually build a very positive, safe and beneficial industrial arts program.
I look forward to continued growth in not only the industrial arts program but a myriad of programs within
the district.

USD 392, Science Literacy All-Stars

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$6,000, Awarded 11/24/2018
Project Summary: Science Literacy All-Stars is a multi-faceted educational
initiative designed to establish our school library as a resource center for
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) literacy and activities. ;
USD 392 has re-purposed a portion of the district library and dedicated such
as a STEM resource area. This is a multi-purpose space and that will be fully
functional as an area for interactive lessons, as well as available for student
exploration and study. Our goal is to provide an area for instruction and exploration of STEM resources, as well as
a collection of STEM-related items available for student check-out. This will not only strengthen and enhance our
science program, but create an innovate resource for teachers and students accessible via the district library. We aim
to provide students with a dynamic introduction to STEM, as well as books and hands-on resources to further grow
and develop their interest in these areas.
This project will enhance the curriculum and school library in the following ways:
• Add exploration/instruction space for students, specifically seating.
• Create a collection of STEM books and resources available for use and check-out.
• Implement twice-monthly STEM lessons for students provided by a qualified instructor.
Use of Funds: The funds were used to successfully meet and implement each of these objectives: set up our lab
space with tables, chairs and supplies, hire an instructor and provide STEM programs and purchase new books.

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Impact & Results: When we ask students what they like about our
STEM program or lessons, we repeatedly hear “everything” as the answer.
Students eagerly ask when the next lab time will be! And their excitement,
engagement, and interest during the programs is contagious.

At the onset of applying for this grant we had secured the funds to purchase
the Vernier curriculum and technology. With your support and that of others
we were able to fully furnish the lab, hire an instructor, and launch our
program in early 2019. This program has again been launched in fall 2019 and
will continue on throughout the 2019-20 school year. All elementary students
in kindergarten through sixth grade receive STEM programming twice monthly.

This project has been a complete success and we cannot thank the Community Foundation enough for the
investment in our program and students!

USD 272,
Lakeside High School Greenhouse Refurbishment Project

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $2,936, Awarded 04/25/2019

Project Summary: To refurbish the Lakeside High School Agriculture
Department Greenhouse by replacing the external Lexan Twinwall Opal
panels, the existing furnace, and replace several existing plant tables.

Use of Funds: Funds were used to purchase materials needed to relace the
external Lexan Twinwall Opal panels.

Impact & Results: The money used from the grant was used to refurbish
the Agriculture Department Greenhouse at Lakeside High School in
Downs, Kansas. The Greenhouse was in dire need of replacement of the
outer panels, the old furnace, and new plant tables. During the months
of September and October, the old greenhouse panels were torn off and
replaced with the new panels. Five new plant tables were constructed in the
school shop out of square tubing and expanded metal and painted. The old
furnace was removed and replaced by a new vent-less heater.

This grant will directly benefit our school and classes because students in Agriculture and Science classes will
be able to grow plants for study and experimentation. The Greenhouse is a much better place to work in because
the light is more even and the heat is more evenly dispersed throughout the structure. This Spring, our FFA Chapter
will also grow several vegetable plants that we will donate to be planted in the Downs Community Garden for the
Downs Community Food Bank. In addition, our FFA Chapter will also donate 50 Tomato Plants along with growing
guides to the Downs Food Bank for distribution to families in need to grow in their own gardens.

It is estimated that between 50 and 75 students will use the Greenhouse to benefit their education, and that as
many as 50 families in need will benefit from the donations of vegetable plants grown in the Greenhouse.

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Osborne Area Chamber of Commerce, Osborne County Little Dawgs/Jr Football League

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $2,500, Awarded 11/24/2018

Project Summary: Funds would be used to purchase new equipment for the team, support operating costs of
season, including insurance and officiating fees, as well as cover expenses related to inspection and certification of
helmets.

The Osborne County Little Dawg Football league was founded in 1994. For 25 years, Dan Worley the head coach
of the program has and will continue to provide an opportunity for children in surrounding communities in the
4th, 5th, and 6th grade to participate in a youth football league. Over the last 25 years, the team has had players
from Osborne, Downs, Alton, Portis, and Tipton participate in the league. This program benefits the communities in
Osborne County by encouraging youth to participate in a team sport, work together to provide service within the
communities and promote healthy physical and developmental habits.

The program is not affiliated with or supported by USD 392. The program is 100% privately funded. The league
brings together volunteers both adult and youth, from all over Osborne County that work together to benefit our
children while developing friendships and strengthening relationships across our communities by uniting them
in a single goal. Parents of current and previous players volunteer to assist with coaching, managing equipment,
transportation to games, and fundraising efforts each season.

The Funds from this grant will be utilized to provide scholarships to children who wish to participate in the program
but have been determined to have a financial need. Additionally funds will be used to re-certify current equipment
to ensure safety and purchase new equipment to promote increase participation in the program.

Use of Funds: The funds were spent to purchase new equipment for the youth league. In addition, the league paid
a portion of all youth members sign up fees to increase participation and paid total dues for several underprivileged
children

Impact & Results: This project provides and opportunity for county youth to participate in athletics at a local level.
It helps the children of the county to have a positive extra curricular activity. This promotes physical activity, positive
attitudes, and teamwork. The grant allowed us to increase the numbers of children involved by about 15% by
having the opportunity to pay dues for those children who didn’t have resources to cover them. The football games
provide a community activity where families are able to spend time together support the community youth.

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USD 392, Installation of Active Shooter/Hostile
Intruder System-SafeDefend

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$11,500, Awarded 11/24/2018

Project Summary: SafeDefend is a comprehensive active shooter response
system. The system enhances communication to building occupants and
response of emergency services by providing direct notification, down to the
room number, in the event of a hostile attack. SafeDefend is a comprehensive approach to school safety. SafeDefend
will enhance our school safety by addressing the 3 critical areas not addressed by any other system.

SafeDefend will:
• Reduce law enforcement response time.
• Provide tools and training to help our staff stay alive until help arrives.
• Address the need for protection once the threat is inside the building.

The security profile has primarilty focused on the hardening of external security. This system works to improve
communication with all entities that will be impacted when an intruder gains access to one of the schools. Quicker
notification to police will result in a faster response by police. Immediate notification to faculty and staff allows for
lockdown in order to reduce casualties.

Use of Funds: Installation of an active early alert system w/supplies was installed in every classroom and the main
offices. It has direct connection with all emergency personnel needed if an emergency was to arise. It is activated by
biometric scanning,

Impact & Results: The total project is completed. The safe and defend system provides not only peace of mind of
quick response to staff, it was tested and activated giving emergency staff and school staff the reassurance that it
works. The boxes also unlock and there are supplies that would be needed in an emergency situation for example
bandages, flash lights, etc. This was a very positive step in the protection and safety of all students and staff.

USD 392, Camp Read-a-Lot

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$630, Awarded 04/25/2019

Project Summary: USD 392 will again be hosting Camp Read-a-Lot (CRAL),
a summer literacy program for youth. This grant is being sought to purchase
learning resources and tools that will be utilized during CRAL.

Use of Funds: Funds were used to mutchase materials needed for CRAL.

Impact & Results: We saw significant engagement from participants in this
program, especially during the month of June. I do believe it kept kids reading
over the summer and engaged in the learning process. Without funding, we
would not have been able to offer the activities that the participants were
extremely passionate about. They absolutely loved the all of the resources we
were able to purchase because of this grant. We were even able to loan out the straw rocket to the public library for
programming and broaden the reach and impact of this grant.

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