Community Grant Reports

Community Grants Report
December 2020

Midsummer’s Festival, Kubb Tournament Sets

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund, $1,312.90, Awarded 5/15/2020

Project Summary: Buying Kubb sets for the annual Midsummer’s Festival tournament, instead of renting them,
would eliminate rental fees and make the game sets available for years to come to Midsummer tournament teams
and to the community at other times by request.

Use of Funds: $1,312.90 for 14 Kubb Tournament Sets.

Impact & Results: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lindsorg’s 2020 Midsummer’s Festival Kubb Tournament did not
take place, but we look forward to using the Kubb Tournament Sets in future tournaments for many years to come.
Although many of the 2020 Midsummer’s Festival events were not open to the public and were viewable online only
(due to social distancing measures and maximum gathering restrictions) the Kubb Tournament Sets were made
available to the community free of charge, and multiple sets were requested, used, and returned over the July 4th
holiday weekend.

Midsummer’s Festival, 2020 Midsummer’s Festival

Heritage Fund, $1,270, Awarded 11/15/2019

Project Summary: Funds for the Midsummer’s Festival in Lindsborg are raised through sponsorships by local busi-
nesses and organizations, vendor fees, race and tournament entry fees, donations, and grants. $1,270 is spent on
Swedish-themed children’s activities.

Use of Funds: $97.22 for 2020 (with $1,172.78 deferred to 2021) - OR - $1,270 for 2020

Impact & Results: Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Kids’ World (a children’s activity area traditionally offered in
Riverside Park) was not part of the Lindsborg’s 2020 Midsummer’s Festival, but other giveaways and activities were
available to children who visited downtown on June 20. Items offered included, Sunglasses and beads, coloring
sheets, twine for handmade bracelets, and scavenger hunt supplies and prizes. Please note that both children and
adults participated in the scavenger hunt and received bandannas.

Broadway RFD, Band Shell Electrical & Lighting Upgrade

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund, $3,000, Awarded 5/15/2020

Project Summary: The Swensson Memorial Band Shell, which serves as the outdoor stage for Broadway RFD’s an-
nual summer musical, needs an upgrade in electrical and lighting equipment to ensure safety, comfort, and quality
performances, now and for many years to come.

1

Use of Funds: $985 for surge protection, $340 for exterior lights, and $1,625 for area light control, for a total of $2,950.
Impact & Results: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadway RFD’s 2020 summer musical was canceled, but three
of the Band Shell electrical and lighting upgrades were completed at a cost of $2,950. Pending approval from the
Smoky Valley Community Foundation, the remaining $50 of the $3,000 awarded will be applied to the cost of the
$95 ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle replacement, scheduled for a later date.

Lindsborg Community Library, Library Technology Expansion

Smoky Valley Enhancement Fund, $3,000, Awarded 11/15/2019
Project Summary: The Library Technology Expansion project expands technology service capacity and improves
patron computer experience at the Lindsborg Community Library.
Use of Funds: The SVCF grant funds were spent as follows: $1,907.98 on the new computer desk station; $750 to
provide matching funds for the network hardware updates and new computer; the remaining $342.02 was spent
towards the purchase of computer desk chairs.
Impact & Results: As a result of this project, the Library has improved and expanded technology services provided
to our community. Our patrons have appreciated the improved appearance of the computer stations and especially
enjoyed the option of having a second Microsoft computer. Although we have not yet needed to use all four com-
puters at once, we are sure that will happen soon! The SVCF grant provided the matching funds needed to secure
additional grant funding which made it possible to complete the entire project at once. Since upgrades to both the
network hardware and computer desk stations were required in order to add the fourth computer, this was essential
to the project. The network hardware items were installed on schedule, but the computer desk station and fourth
computer both had COVID-19 related delays. All items were finally installed June 30. For July 1- August 21, the four
patron computers were used 110 times by 37 individuals, which is about 40% of summer usage in previous years.
This is expected to increase as library patrons feel more comfortable returning to public spaces. Even with these
reduced numbers, it is clear that the purchase of a fourth computer has helped better service to our library patrons.
Just over half of all computer uses are on the two Microsoft computers and there have been 5 times when patrons
have used both at the same time. This has reduced wait times and greatly increased patron satisfaction. Many
thanks to SVCF for making this possible!

2

Marquette Learning Center, Inc., Keep Hearts Beating!

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund, $2,925, Awarded 5/15/2020
Project Summary: This grant would allow Marquette Learning Center, a daycare in Marquette, KS serving area chil-
dren and families, to purchase two Automated External Defibrillator (AED) packages, making them available for use
at the center, if needed in an emergency.
Use of Funds: The full amount of the grant, $2,925 was used to buy the 2 Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
packages + Pediatric Defibrillator pads.
Impact & Results: Marquette Learning Center is now a safer environment for the children, staff, volunteers, and
visitors because of the availability of the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) which have been installed (one on
the east wall and one on the west wall). Both units have been registered with the Marquette EMT unit. These AEDs
would be available should any child or adult have sudden cardiac arrest emergency. Without this grant, the MLC
would not have the finances to purchase these units. With the COVID-19 pandemic and having to close the center
for several weeks, the financial situation has been even more strained. Of course, the hope is that the units will not
have to be used; however, in case of an emergency, the units are now installed and would be available for use. Cur-
rently we have 38 children attending the center plus 17 staff. Volunteers are now starting back (with precautions) so
these AED units should be available for at least 55 people/weekly. MLC appreciates this grant and thanks the Smoky
Valley Foundation for this generous grant to purchase these AED units. The training DVD has been used with the
current staff and will continue to be used for future training of staff members. Volunteers and board members will
also be trained using the training DVDs that were part of the AED package. Thank you again.

3