Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
June 2019

Davies-Crook Post 76, The American Legion, Avenue of Flags

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund & Impact Fund for Cloud County,
$20,000, Awarded 4/17/2018

Project Summary: The Avenue of Flags Committee wants to replace 200
removable metal flag poles with permanently installed flag poles at Pleasant
Hill Cemetery, Concordia. Twice a year on Memorial Day and Veterans Day
volunteers put up & take down the flag poles.

Use of Funds: Grant funds were used to help pay the $36,330 bill from the flag
pole manufacturer for the 200 flags and 20 foot telescopic flag poles. Other
expenses were incurred for advertising, printing, purchase of materials, etc.

Impact & Results: Three key steps were taken to make this project successful.
#1. Recruiting a local resident who’d volunteered and successfully led previous
community projects over the years requiring significant amounts of money
to lead this project was our first step to success. This individual is unique in
that he’s both a visionary, enabling him to visualize an end result, and is also
gifted with the ability to develop a step-by-step detailed plan to reach the
desired goal plus as an added bonus he’s both a veteran and is patriotic.
#2. The person recruited to lead this effort created a detailed project game
plan by seeking out a volunteer contractor to oversee the installation phase of the project, free labor, donated and
discounted materials, and complimentary professional engineering services. The committee also worked with
the City of Concordia Public Works Department getting permission to do the project in the city owned cemetery
plus recruited city staff and equipment to be utilized without cost. The committee member also went door-to-
door soliciting donations for the project. #3. Once the Community Foundation for Cloud County and the Dane
G. Hansen Foundation awarded grants totaling $20,000, the multi-faceted marketing plans was formulated. The
marketing campaign was very thorough, consistently hammering home the message “Honor a Veteran, Support a
New Flag pole for the Concordia Avenue of Flags,” for people to see and hear repeatedly over a multi-week period.
It’s important to note that there was a very extensive paid advertising schedule on radio, in the newspaper, and the
radio station owned community website.

Our project was a smashing success because we first recruited a leader to coordinate the various tasks. Secondly
was the creation of a detailed game plan prior to the grant application process. Thirdly, our committee formed
a detailed marketing plan to emotionally inform and sell the community on the project that included a $2,000
budget for advertising. While we received much free publicity, the project wouldn’t have been successful without
the cash investment in advertising. It was imperative to have both the preliminary game plan and the marketing
plan work together to take the goal from a dream to a reality.

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Smoky Hills Public Television,
Literacy Leadership for Cloud County Children

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $1,000, Awarded 5/29/2018

Project Summary: Smoky Hills Public Television requests $1,000 to provide books
to children enrolled in Head Start and purchase broadcast rights to children's
educational television programs.

Use of Funds: $593.28 - to purchase 216 books for the 72 children enrolled in Early
Head Start and Head Start in Cloud County. $406.72 - Broadcast rights for PBS
Children’s Educational Television Programs

Impact & Results: Unlike other books that children may receive, such as those from
the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the books provided by Smoky Hills Public
Television, purchased with funds from the Community Foundation for Cloud County,
are part of the Early Head Start and Head Start curriculum. Kathy Dawson, Literacy
Coordinator for Cloud, Republic, and Ottawa counties told us, “As the Head Start
literacy coordinator for the past twenty years, I have anecdotal evidence to support
that there can never be too many books in a home! But receiving a book from the
local community foundation is showing families that they matter and are part of
the community in which they choose to live and raise their family. EHS/HS does
not just teach children, we focus on assisting families to learn, grow, and become
contributing members of their community. That is why our mission is "enriching the
lives we touch!"

Concordia Housing Authority, Cloud Village Apartments - Window Replacement Project

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $6,600, Awarded 6/25/2018

Project Summary: We are requesting funds to assist with the replacement of additional windows at the Cloud
Village Apartment complex, which is a non-profit housing complex for the elderly, handicapped or disabled.

Use of Funds: Funds were used for the purchase and installation of vinyl casement replacement windows for the
bedrooms in our complex.

Impact & Results: With a combination of grant funds received and our input funds, we have been able to replace
ALL 40 bedroom windows through out our complex. They have all been replaced with vinyl casement windows the
meet egress requirements. They have also been trimmed out with steel trim to decrease future maintenance costs.
Our results were very successful. Our main goal was for the Health and Safety of our Elderly, Disabled &/or Handicap
tenants. We were able to meet this goal by replacing all existing bedroom windows with vinyl casement windows
that meet egress standards. The new windows also help toward the reduction of utility expenses for the residents
who are of low income. They also improve the appearance of the property.

Our facility was built in 1978 for the purpose of housing low income, elderly, handicap &/or disabled citizens in our
community. With our facility being a non-profit entity, funds are difficult to come by. The original windows were
all still in place, bringing a safety risk to our tenants (as many of the windows were unable to open). The original
windows also did not meet current standards for egress. We chose to begin our Window Replacement project
with the replacement of bedroom windows. We chose energy efficient casement windows that met the egress
specifications giving tenants a 2nd exit from their apartment in the case of an emergency. These new windows will
eventually help decrease the utility costs for our low income tenants.

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City of Concordia / Hood Park Neighbors,
Little Free Library Shade and Seating

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $1,000,
Awarded 8/21/2018

Project Summary: To build a shade structure and
provide seating for the Little Free Library

Use of Funds: Total purchase for Little Free Library
& Post: $581.54; Support board for base: $20.33;
Polyurethane: $32.60; Paint: $43.66; Concrete: $10.39; Artisan Stamp (to combat theft of books for resale): $29.95;
Misc materials (bookmarks, paint pens for outside decor) $~25

Impact & Results: The community in Concordia welcomed the Little Free Library (LFL) with open arms, and plenty of
used book donations. As a steward of this library, it is my job to oversee materials that go in and out of it. I am happy
to report that we had a very high turnaround rate, which means the amount of books put into the library and taken
out remains consistent. Even in the winter months, books were being added and taken out at a fairly high rate. The
park plans to build up the area around the LFL to include shade and seating in the near future.

One of my favorite stories about the Little Free Library is that a local daycare frequently takes walks to visit and
exchange books, when the weather is nice. They have posted on the Facebook page quite a few times about how
much they enjoy having it nearby. Promoting early literacy is something I care deeply about, and seeing this project
provide exactly what I'd hoped, is incredibly fulfilling. I am grateful to the Community Foundation for Cloud County
for awarding this grant, and the positive impact it has made on the community.

MECF, Miltonvale Community Gym

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund for Cloud County,
$10,000, Awarded 10/17/2018

Project Summary: A need for a small gym in the Miltonvale
Community for use by residents and surrounding
communities.

Use of Funds: Installation of electrical from Advanced
Electrical, air conditioning unit from Gallagher Plumbing,
security components from Security Solutions, installation of
gym equipment from Wind Commercial.

Impact & Results: The Miltonvale Community Gym (Warrior
Central) opened on April 1 with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on March 30. The impact to this community
is the ability for individuals to exercise at all times of the day since it is a 24-hour access facility. Over 50% of the
individuals who were first time members were over the age of 50 and the impact to the aged community has been
inspirational. Several individuals who have never been to a gym are now regular attendees and have come back after
a one month membership and signed up for six months. The future impact will be once the fall weather and winter
cold descends, more individuals will at that time be using the facility as outdoor activities will be limited at that
time of year. The younger people from 40 years of age or younger, tend to use this facility on a daily or every other
day schedule. The future impact would be a healthier community not only the young generation, but older citizens
realizing the importance of their health and beginning an exercise program to help not only their health but the
health of spouses, children and grandchildren. The city was also able to acquire a refrigerator that provides filtered
ice and water to gym attendees.

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Cloud Sewing Works, Inc.,
Bringing Empowerment Training to Concordia

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $4,800, Awarded
12/13/2018

Project Summary: Complete the final phase of “train the
trainer” certification as our first major step in bringing a powerful
Empowerment Training program to Concordia.

Use of Funds: The grant funds were specifically used to help cover the cost of Twin Cities R!SE’s Co-facilitation Fee
and to purchase ten personal empowerment workbook sets.

Impact & Results: Cloud Sewing Works offered “Learn the Power of Empowerment” a training geared toward
professionals who work in social services. The Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board pre-approved the
program, so participants could receive 24 hours of continuing education credit. All five of our participants
successfully completed the training. One participant shared on Facebook, “10/10 would recommend this training
for personal AND professional purposes!!!” Our executive director, Kathleen Norman, co-facilitated the training with a
master facilitator from the Empowerment Institute at Twin Cities R!SE in Minneapolis, Minn. This concluded her year-
long journey to become certified as an Empowerment Facilitator. The master facilitator mentioned how Kathleen
has grown as a facilitator and that he is confident in her abilities. With her certification, Cloud Sewing Works will
now be able to offer more trainings and workshops in the area that focus on emotional intelligence and the
development of soft skills. We are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead and already have plans to work with
the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program at USD 333 this fall.

City of Concordia, Refresh Concordia 2019

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $3,500, Awarded 2/26/2019

Project Summary: Concordia has historically performed a bi-annual community
cleanup, & in 2018 made this an annual event. An community cleanup event is a
way to showcase our commitment to a clean/healthy community & our core value of
environmental stewardship.

Use of Funds: $2,000 of the awarded funds were used toward payment of tire recycling
fees. $1,500 of the awarded funds were used toward purchase of trash cans at the
swimming pool.

Impact & Results: The Refresh Concordia annual city-wide cleanup program is
appreciated by our residents. It provides an opportunity for those without trucks, trailers,
or physical ability to haul away tree limbs, old car tires, car batteries, appliances and furniture. Removal of these
items reduces harbors & breeding spaces for mosquitoes and vermin, which results in a healthier community overall.
Removal of these items also improves the aesthetics of residential yards throughout the city. Replacement of 4
trash cans at the pool mitigates leakage in areas where people frequently walk in bare feet. In total, the City hauled
9 loads of metal, 66 loads of furniture and unrecyclables to the landfill, 167 loads of tree limbs, and 1,057 tires. We
would not have been able to replace the trash receptacles without this funding. Due to the increased number of
tires compared to 2018, the City’s budget would have been severely impacted, and perhaps not as many potholes
would be patched without the grant. We continued to pick up items through April 24 although cleanup officially
ended April 12. Staff observed multiple instances of abuse of the program. As of May 7, we are still receiving phone
calls of residents asking when we will pick up their trash and construction debris, which were not on the list of items
advertised. We will continue this program next year with some modifications as discussed with the City Commission
to insure we are meeting program goals yet allocating our resources efficiently.

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City of Concordia,
Concordia EMS - Ambulance Child Restraints

Seize the Moment Fund, $500, Awarded 2/26/2019

Project Summary: Just as car seats provide proven protection for
children in cars, ambulance child restraints (ACR) provide a properly
fitting restraint for children 5-80 pounds when in of need ambulance
transport. Concordia EMS wants 1 ACR per its 4 ambulances.

Use of Funds: One additional ambulance child restraint was purchased.
It was partially funded by this grant.

Impact & Results: This grant allowed us to equip the remaining two Concordia EMS ambulances more quickly
than we otherwise would have been able to do. Having similarly equipped ambulances available at all times allows
our EMT's to provide better quality service to our patients. Just like car seats, the ACR's allow us to transport young
patients ages 0-5 in a more stable manner, thereby mitigating exacerbation of their injuries. Recent data shows 5%
of our annual transports are children. Presently, it is estimated 700 children ages 0-5 reside in the Concordia EMS
service area. The ACR's have provided a safer ambulance transport environment when these children need it.

Concordia Wesleyan Church,
Community Easter Egg Hunt

Youth Activity Fund & Seize the Moment Fund, $1,000,
Awarded 4/3/2019

Project Summary: Concordia Wesleyan Church requests $2000
for the Community Easter Egg Hunt, which costs around
$4000. Inflatables cost around $1200. The remainder of the
cost includes candy, prizes, Easter eggs, concessions, & other
supplies, as well as publicity.

Use of Funds: Grant funds were applied to the cost of the
inflatables. The rental cost for the 4 inflatables was $1000, with another $225 for travel expenses and supplies. The
kids had a blast on the 40’ Obstacle Course, Castle Moonwalk, Disney “Cars” bouncer, etc.

Impact & Results: Decent weather and a good crowd at the City Park kicked off the 2019 Annual Community Easter
Egg Hunt. The sun came out with 54 degree temps & wind 11 mph. Considering the snow flurries 2 days before, we
were grateful! Kids infant to 6th grade had a wonderful time picking up Easter eggs & playing on inflatables, carnival
games & dressing up at the photo booth. Many stayed & enjoyed the day until 3:30. The children & families were also
treated to popcorn & lemonade. Everything was FREE of charge, & people were grateful they could do something
together as a family that didn’t cost money. It is great to put on a positive event where multiple generations of
families interact.

Estimated attendance follows: Ages Infant to 2 yrs- 56 + tiny babies, 3 yrs to 5 yrs-225, K to 2nd Grade-125, 3rd to
6th grade-120, for an estimated TOTAL of 526+. This is a low estimate as the kids are always moving! Add the family
members in attendance, & it was a great crowd of between 1,500-2,000. About 140 individuals from Concordia
Wesleyan Church assisted during the week of preparation. There was great response from the community, including
donations of cash, products, advertising, or discounts from 49 businesses, & animals borrowed from Kansas Creek
Inn, Orscheln’s & private individuals for our petting zoo. Inflatables make such a difference in the fun & atmosphere,
& cause even those who don’t know of the event to pull over & take part. There were many words of “thanks” & the
families enjoyed the day!

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Concordia Rotary Club, Concordia Rotary and Lions Tree Planting Day

Seize the Moment Fund, $500, Awarded 4/25/2019
Project Summary: The Concordia Rotary Club and the Concordia Lions club are combining efforts to replace
damaged and dying trees in the Concordia City park.
Use of Funds: The Seize the Moment Grant helped purchase two large replacement trees which had been hit
recently by disease. The Concordia Rotary Club and the Concordia Lions Club joined forces to plant the two trees at
the City Park.
Impact & Results: This particular joint project enhances the aesthetics of the park by removing diseased and dead
trees and continues to provide much needed to shade to the patrons of the City Park. If it were not for the aid of the
Seize the Moment Grant, we would not be able to replace the affected trees. This would cause the condition of the
park to deteriorate in turn driving down the use of the City Park. By being able to replace a few trees a year, makes
taking care of them manageable and provides trees of different maturity. If this project were not funded, it would be
difficult to replace the trees at a rate beneficial to the city and patrons of the park in terms of providing aesthetics
and shade. The Concordia City Park is a newer, unique park with equipment and activities for children of all ages.
The park is utilized by community members, people within the county and many visitors from outside the county.
By continuing to replace diseased and dead trees shows commitment to keeping our town clean which shows
visitors our commitment to our community members and those who utilize the park.

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