Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
November 2019

Sprout House Learning Center,
Sprout House Children’s Garden

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund,
Kansas Health Foundation Fund, $548,
Awarded 5/17/2019

Project Summary: Sprout House was the recipient of a grant last year to
start a garden for the kids to take care of. Under direction, the kids planted
and maintained the garden through summer of 2018. We are asking for
funds to continue with the project in 2019.

Use of Funds: Supplies and tools to maintain the Sprout House garden. A
small storage unit and platform will be purchased. Some funds reserved
for earlier start up and preparation next spring.

Impact & Results: Summer of 2019 was our second year to have a garden
as a summer project at Sprout House. We were able to involve the younger
kids/classes this year in addition to the older/elementary kids. It was fun to
watch the kids see their work of watering and weeding pay off for produce
at the end of the summer! The older classes took the lead on planting and
weeding, but the younger kids were able to water and pick the tomatoes,
beans and peppers.

Everyone was able to taste some new foods and agreed they taste better
out of the garden! In addition to caring for plants, the kids had a few
“bug” experiences and even found a few toads to look at! The hard work
of watering, weeding, and picking paid off in a healthy summer garden
of produce. More kids were involved due to being able to purchase more
tools for them to use to help care for the garden.

It was a fun summer and we look forward to doing it again next year! We
learned to reserve some funds to prep the garden earlier and get more
spring plants started earlier. Getting to pick and taste some foods earlier in
the summer will ensure more kids get to participate in the fun of picking
produce with out having to wait until August and back to school time.

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Lindsborg Community Hospital, Women’s Health: Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Kansas Health Foundation Fund, $3,000, Awarded 11/16/2018

Project Summary: The hospital’s Physical Therapy department seeks funding for the acquisition of software and
rehab equipment in order to use biofeedback to expand and enhance the existing pelvic floor rehab program.

Use of Funds: Specifically, grant proceeds purchased the MyoTrac Infinity Dual Channel EMG and E.Stim unit and
the Biograph and a laptop computer.

Impact & Results: I have visited with the department director, Mark Robertson, DPT and the two therapists
involved in providing the specialized therapy using the biofeedback/E-Stim equipment and software. There are
some remarkable stories, and the program is doing very well. Because of the delicate nature of the topic, most are
reluctant to share their stories, but Robin and Pam have each shared with me comments and outcomes without
revealing who the patients were. The patient load has been as many as three per day, eight new patients a month
for just one therapist. They receive referrals from our own providers, Salina providers and always the best, word of
mouth. Here are some brief patient experiences: a young woman in her 20’s with a life long problem with bowel
irregularity, sometimes going days without a bowel movement is now able to eliminate normally and regularly. A
middle aged man with urinary incontinence who, with successful treatment, is no longer wearing protective under
garments. A 60-ish woman with urinary incontinence for more than 20 years, can now control her flow of urine and
“leaking”. Less than one year into the introduction of the biofeedback, the PT department will easily surpass the goal
of 100 patients served, and that is with Pam out for 12 weeks of maternity leave! We are grateful for the funding,
but I suspect our patients are even more grateful!

Sprout House Learning Center, Creating an
Environment of Early Learning Opportunities

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund,
$1,100, Awarded 5/17/2019

Project Summary: The grant funds will allow Sprout House
Learning Center to purchase additional furnishings and materials
for children, 18 months - age five, in order to provide engaging
and hands-on learning experiences that stimulate the brain.

Use of Funds: The grant funds were used on two toddler tables,
two sensory tables and four chairs.

Impact & Results: The tables and chairs have been so helpful in
the toddler room. The toddlers are now able to touch the floor
with their feet and sit in chair correctly!

The sensory tables have a been a blast. We love pulling them
outside and putting water in them over the summer. It was a
great way to cool down on hot summer days!

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