Community Grants Report

Community Grants Report
July 2020

Svensk Hyllningsfest, Inc., 2019 Svensk Hyllningsfest Parade

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund, Heritage Fund, $3,000, Awarded 11/16/2018
Project Summary: Support for Marching bands preforming at the 78th Year of Svensk Hyllningsfest Parade.
Use of Funds: Grant funds from SVCF were specifically spent on travel expenses for the local marching bands.
Impact & Results: This is such a great event, and keeping kids involved in band and giving them to opportunity to
come to our town to showcase their talents AND to see other international talents is priceless! As school budgets
continue to get cut, anything we as a community can to do help the travel expenses to get them here is worth every
penny.

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Bethany College, LBK BASS Fitness

Kansas Health Foundation for Smoky Valley, $2,300, Awarded 05/17/2019

Project Summary: This project with provide employees of Bethany College and the
Lindsborg community with two opportunities to stay active, yoga and POUND. These
fitness classes will be offered free of charge and this grant will provide the necessary
equipment.

Use of Funds: The funds were used to purchase yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, and
yoga bolsters. A large cabinet with a lock and wheels was also purchased to hold the
supplies.

Impact & Results: The yoga supplies have benefited both Bethany College and the
community in their practice. I was able to teach yoga 2-3 times a week (before the
pandemic) and the yoga equipment was used regularly. The yoga mats were also used
for several sessions offered for students at Bethany College led by Tyler Atkinson. The yoga
blocks and straps were especially useful for the yogis with limited mobility. Looking forward, I hope we can practice
in person again soon. I created yoga videos to share with those that attended.

City of Lindsborg, Scentral Bark Dog Park

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund, $1,000, Awarded
11/16/2018

Project Summary: A committee of Lindsborg residents is working to fundraise
for a Dog Park on the property of the Lindsborg Recycling Center. The park,
Scentral Bark, will have three pens, a small dog area, large dog area, and one
to use when maintenance is needed.

Use of Funds: Grant funds were used to construct two pergolas and four
benches within the Park, built by Mid-Kansas Construction, Galva.

Impact & Results: The 13,800 square foot facility is the result of over four years
of talking, planning, fundraising, and finally construction in 2018. The creative
efforts of many volunteers were seen in several fundraising events, including
the first “Doggy Dip” in 2017. Held on the closing day of the municipal
swimming pool, the occasion saw many dog owners enjoy the end of summer
swimming with their pets. The well-attended event continues to this day.
Other fundraising events were the Doggie Rodeo along with several bake
sales and costume parties. The sale of merchandise like t-shirts and doggie
bandanas were important aspects of the fund drive, but individual donors,
corporate sponsorships, and grant awards were critical to making the park a
reality. The area is a significant addition to the City of Lindsborg park system,
providing a place for many dog owners to gather and socialize in a safe and
secure space. The attractive elements of the facility, powder-coated black
fencing, pergolas, and dog bone benches, are a draw to passing travelers
because the park is located on State Highway 4. It is also located next to the
popular Valkommen Trail, providing a resting place for dog walkers.

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USD 400, Smoky Valley After Prom

Smoky Valley Enhancement Fund, $1,000, Awarded 11/15/2019

Project Summary: We hope to accomplish four things with the money we are requesting through this grant.
Update some of our games and decorations, invest in coolers for drinks and purchase groceries for the breakfast at
After Prom.

Use of Funds: Funds were spent on a new Plinko game, on a set of stanchions and on themed shower curtains to
use for decoration.

Impact & Results: We were not able to have a typical After Prom this year (will do an online draw for prizes).
However, with the items purchased, we are able to continue our fundraising efforts for future After Proms, have a
new game, and have decorations in place for the 2022 mardi gras themed After Prom. We are very grateful for your
generous donation!

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church - KICK (Kids in Christ’s Kingdom)

Smoky Valley Community Enhancement Fund, $3,000, Awarded 05/17/2019

Project Summary: I am requesting funding to support our after school ministry to children. We need funds for a
laptop computer, activity supplies, curriculum, snacks, and food for meals.

Use of Funds: These funds were used to buy supplies for activities, curriculum, a laptop computer, and for food for
snacks and dinners.

Impact & Results: It was especially helpful to use grant funds to buy a laptop computer to use for KICK as we use
e-mail, Word, Excel, and Power Point for our program. The computer we purchased has a DVD drive, so we were able
to use that to project video clips and power point presentations by connecting the computer to a projector. This is
the first year we have had a designated computer for our program and didn’t have to go to the trouble of borrowing
one. The financial support we received by being awarded this grant money was a huge help in keeping our program
running. Our program is a ministry to children and gives them a snack, music time, Bible story time, and electives
such as drumming, Spanish, art, recreation, cooking, sewing, and “Caring for Creation.” We also invite children and
their families to stay for a family style dinner afterwards. Our entire program is free of charge. We rely on grants and
donations to fund our program and this grant played a major role. We had 62 children enrolled and averaged 45-50
children each week. At dinner we fed an average of about 60 adults and children. This grant money was used to buy
snacks, curriculum, supplies, a computer, and food for dinners. This has impacted our community by giving children
a safe, loving environment where they can participate in meaningful activities, learn about character, and enjoy
community. We are so grateful for this grant!

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Steps to End Poverty of McPherson County,
STEPMC Youth Development Program

Smoky Valley Enhancement Fund, $1,000,
Awarded 11/15/2019
Project Summary: This request seeks to expand STEPMC’s Youth
Development Program - a program that provides crucial learning at a
foundational stage of development to kids living in poverty who would
not otherwise receive these opportunities.
Use of Funds: Local tours, airplane rides, sno cones, library tour
Impact & Results: We were thrilled to receive your support and be able to continue providing quality programming
for the kids in our community who are living in poverty. Having this funding has allowed us to be much more
creative with our activities and programming.
We have seen several of our kids improve their emotional and behavioral regulation as their teaches identify that
they are doing well in school. We are also excited by how happy the kids in our program are to be with us every
week, and how much they have missed programming during COVID-19 (according to parents).
A small portion of the funding was spent on an outdoor activity night for the kids where they were able to go get
sno-cones. The majority of the funding was scheduled to be used this spring, and was postponed due to COVID-19
concerns. We had a grocery store tour, a library tour, and an airplane ride scheduled for the spring that we have
postponed. If possible, we would ask for an extension on our timeline for using these funds. Would this be possible?
We have some really awesome programming scheduled for our kids that was made possible by this money!

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