Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
July 2020

Mt. Ayr Holiness Assn., Tabernacle Roof

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund-Osborne County, $4,800, Awarded 11/19/2019
Project Summary: The roof of the tabernacle used by the Mt. Ayr Holiness Assn. for their annual camp meeting is
leaking. It needs to be replaced to preserve the integrity of the building.
Use of Funds: To purchase materials and install new metal roof on the Mt. Ayr Holiness Assn tabernacle. The site
where annual religious services are held for community spiritual enrichment.
Impact & Results: Installation of this roof has elimated leaking on the interior helping to preserve its longetivity. This
has freed up funds for the outreach mission of this religious organition. We are beginning a project to provide “go
bags’ for at risk children that need to be removed from dangerous situiations on a moments notice. We are involving
the children of the community in producing these bags thinking they may include items that other children of their
age may appreciate. Hopefully this instills a feeling of compassion for others in less fortunate circumstances. This
new roof gives us a dry place to worship and work on these projects.

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Outside the Lines Inc, 5th Quarter

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, $750, Awarded 04/25/2019

Project Summary: Investing in the next generation has been our vision. We provide 5th Quarters after all Friday
home games to provide a safe and fun environment. We strive to engage students in team building games and
fellowship.

Use of Funds: The funds were used to facilitate our 5th Quarter program. We poured all funds back into the local
community as we believe in supporting the community that selected us as a grant recipient. We paid for groceries
and catering for each event.

Impact & Results: This year we were disheartened. We had planned to transition to a fundraising support with
grant funds. However, COVID impacted our plans which were set to take place in April with a kickball tournament.
However, our goal is always to have community support and awareness. This year, we had donations from
community member who simply saw a need and chose to give generously. We were looking for plates as we had a
few new sponsors and we did not check inventory before the next event. While looking for them, a local couple went
home and donated theirs. It was a small gesture but one of sheer kindness.

This year we did share the need for sponsors and had three games where new sponsors engaged with students. It
is a joy to see our community come together to reach students. We had nights were we reached over 20 students
and other nights were it was only around 10. This typically centered around events that were scheduled over the
weekend and student not wanting to be out late. However, we were always thrilled with the chance to provide a
safe space for students after Friday night games.

Beta Sigma Phi, Lasting Impressions - Part 3

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund-Osborne County,
$8,000, Awarded 11/19/2019

Project Summary: Downs participated in the First Impression program to find
ways to improve our community. Lack of wayfarer signage and hard to read street
signs was one obstacle noted by the visitors. We want to continue completing the
replacement of street signs.

Use of Funds: With these funds we were able to purchase 159 double sided street
signs, 85 post caps for top mount signs and 85 cross brackets. The remaining funds
went towards the supplies purchased to repaint and reinstall current poles.

Impact & Results: We were excited to complete another phase of the street sign
project for the City of Downs. With this recent grant, we were able to update the signs in the residential areas of
town. The City Crew pulled out the old sign poles, sanded, repainted, installed the new signs and got them back
up. What a great improvement to our town! It is wonderful that we have generous people in our area that support
our Community Foundation and in return we are able to make improvements to our communities. Our club will
continue to work on projects and encourage others to get involved in making improvements to Downs.

We shared photos of the installation and the completed signs on the City of Downs Facebook page and also in the
Downs News and Times. We have received numerous comments, all of which were positive, about the new signs.
We want to thank the Foundation for helping us to achieve our goal and improve our town. Without the funds we
received, this would not have been possible.

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Bringing It Home to OZ, Inc., Osborne Mini-Park Paint Project

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund-Osborne County, $2,000, Awarded 11/19/2019

Project Summary: Our organization would like to request grant funding to finish the wall project of the Osborne
Mini-Park on the Main Street of Osborne. Our project is to repair, seal and paint the Osborne Mini-Park wall and to
have a mural painted on it to serve as a focal point & beautification aspect to our downtown business district.

Use of Funds: The $2,000 grant funds were used as a downpayment to Stick It Vinyl towards the mural design. The
project will require additional funds. We hope to have it completed by the Fall 2020. All repairs, etc. were put on
hold due to the COVID restrictions.

Impact & Results: Osborne will be celebrating its 150th community Anniversary on Memorial weekend in 2021. Our
goal now is to have this project completed in time for the celebration. The Mini Park is a wonderful addition to our
downtown area, and the completion of the wall will create a real focal point for our downtown business district. This
project would not have been possible without the assistance of OCCF, especially since we lost our major fundraiser
this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Thanks to OCCF for their wonderful support of our organization and the
community! We will upload pictures to the site once the project is completed!

Christian Agape Shop, Replace Torn Carpet & Repaint Shelving

Osborne County Community Fund, $4,759, Awarded 11/19/2019

Project Summary: 1. Replace worn out carpet
2. Repaint and restain shelving
3. Buy 2 new 6’ tables to replace old display table. We wish to replace torn carpeting,
repaint and stain shelving, and upgrade display tables to make the Agape Shop a safer
and cleaner place for customers and volunteers.

Use of Funds: The funds were used to buy carpet and have it installed and trimmed with
a metal strip between carpet and existing tile. We also bougnt paint, stain, cleaner to prep,
and brushes, rollers etc. We purchased three display tables and wood to fix shelves.

Impact & Results: This grant was the catalyst for a complete makeover for the Shop.
Nothing would have been done without this boost. So many more people became
involved in volunteering than planned. It brought people together and gave them a
sense of ownership of the Shop. We planned on $950 of in-kind help but had 26 adults
that came to help. It seemed that when we needed a certain project done a person with
that ability would walk in the door. The high school FACS classes sent 27 students and a
teacher to help move fixtures in and out for us. We quit counting the hours of volunteered
labor at 220 but there were many more. More projects got done than the original ones
planned. We were able to paint in the store and also shelves in storage room for example.
We purchased new curtains and fixed up a room to try on clothes. Once we started more
ideas popped up to improve the Shop. Every one that walks into the store comments on how different it looks now.
Their comments include the words, cleaner, fresher and more organized. We remodeled in February and had the
store open twice before the COVID shut down. Once we reopened, we’ve had very appreciative customers and more
volunteers coming to help sort and stock the donations. Of course, donations are pouring in since everyone cleaned
out their closets while stuck at home. Thank you to the Foundation for providing the Agape Shop with this chance
to bring people together in a safe and clean store.

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Post Rock Extension District, Strategies
for Family Farming Success in the Shark Tank of WHAT IF!

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund,
$1,000, Awarded 11/19/2019

Project Summary: Developing and implementing a business contingency
plan to overcome unexpected changes to a family farm is crucial for the
continued success of a farming operation. The program would provide an
event to address this most crucial step. This conference would provide an
event to allow intentional and purposeful understanding and awareness of
the importance of developing and implementing a contingency plan for
farm families.

Use of Funds: The grant funds were used to bring Dr. Ron Hanson, retired
University of Nebraska professor, to north central Kansas for a program
targeting farm families in the development of a transition plan.

Impact & Results: Few family operations ever survive an unexpected
change to the farm’s organizational ownership structure and operational
management, let alone a sudden crisis situation with the family.
Implementing a business management contingency plan for ownership
succession and the transition of management control to the next generation
is crucial for the farm’s continued success as well as avoiding family
disputes. The program was a tremendous opportunity for north central
Kansas farm families to engage and communicate with each other their
goals and direction for their farm. The program provided guidelines and
risk management strategies in finding solutions to accomplish a successful
transition so that a farm family legacy continues for future generations
even if the unexpected happens. Participants were engaged in discussion
and listening to fascinating stories and experiences from our speaker, Dr.
Ron Hanson. He shared so many personal and professional experiences in his rich history of working with farm
families for over 30 years! Communication was the key message that all participants indicated they feel is the most
important skill they learned! Having a working plan to keep the family farm together was another component
of the seminar that participants indicated was also very important. Preserving farming legacies was definitely
accomplished in educating the participants!

City of Alton, City of Alton Sidewalk Replacement

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund-Osborne County, $1,500, Awarded 4/21/2020

Project Summary: City of Alton is replacing a section of sidewalk along a city park in front of main street. We are
asking for 1/2 of the project cost. Other 1/2 provided by the City.

Use of Funds: Demolishing and construction of approximately 110 ft. of Sidewalk. This started on the southeast
corner of Nicholas and Mill extending south along east side of city park.

Impact & Results: Project is not complete as of yet but will be soon. Project will make area more enjoyable and safer
for users. Because of the grant we were able to do this project. It looks really nice!

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Osborne Community Foundation, Mark the Center

Osborne County Community Fund, $1,200, Awarded 11/19/2019

Project Summary: The Geodetic Center of North America is located in Osborne County and the marker explaining
this is at the Roadside Park in Osborne. I’d like to improve the appearance of this park with new picnic tables and
painted shelter houses! I have requested funds to purchase four new picnic tables for the Roadside Park in Osborne.
We will use volunteer labor to scrape and paint the existing shelter houses. We will also clean up the Geodetic
Center Marker.

Use of Funds: We had a local craftsman build the four picnic tables for the shelter houses at the Roadside Park. The
remaining funds used to rent a paint sprayer and purchase a large plastic sheeting.

Impact & Results: The shelter houses, at the Roadside Park, were in poor condition and in dire need of cleaning and
repainting. We asked a local craftsman to build four new picnic tables, and they are beautiful, sturdy, and weather
resistant. However, the painting came with a whole new set of challenges. The high school kids were not allowed to
help paint, due to COVID-19. The shelter houses were roped off and not allowed to be used. The weather also did
not cooperate early in the Spring. I contacted other groups to help, but similar restrictions kept them from helping.
When the shelter houses were finally open again, and the weather warmed, my husband and I began working on
power washing and scraping the structures, prepping them for painting, and then painting. We used a paint sprayer
to help, but many hours were spent with a brush in hand. The end result was a clean, inviting location, that has
already seen families enjoying! Without the funds from the foundation, we would not have been able to purchase
the new picnic tables, which will be much easier for people to move and use, especially during the Farmer’s Market,
which will begin in July. The historic marker, and a geocache sight for the Geodetic Center of North America is in
this park, so there are many visitors. We hope this will provide a more welcome and inviting space for these visitors
to enjoy during their brief stay. We are very thankful for the support of the foundation, for the funds to purchase the
new tables.

Osborne Senior Citizens Services, Inc., Osborne Senior Center

Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund-Osborne County, $1,000, Awarded 11/19/2019

Project Summary: The Osborne Senior Center/Osborne Nutrition Center needs to make repairs and improvements
to the facility. The grant funds requested from OCCF will be used to repair and improve the Senior Center facility to
provide a welcoming environment & facility for area Seniors for meals, activities and socialization.

Use of Funds: Cabinet doors in the kitchen were removed and replaced. A new park bench was ordered to replace
the one out in front of the center that needed replaced, and a new round table was ordered to replace one of the
broken ones.

Impact & Results: Those that frequent the Senior Center spend a lot of time on the park bench out front. They will
greatly enjoy having this new bench to use. It will perk up the front of the entrance to the building, and will match
the new benches already placed on Main Street by the Beautification Committee. The cabinets were in dire need
of repair, and the door replacement has greatly improved the look of the kitchen. The replacement of the table will
allow them to have events without worrying if they have enough tables in good repair. Without the assistance from
OCCF, these repairs and upgrades would not have been possible, due to the limited budget of the Senior Center,
Thank you!

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