Putnam County Community Foundation Board member Jeff Blaydes greeted an early morning crowd of 50 to celebrate the awarding of $70,960.94 in grants at the 2018 Fall Grant Awards Breakfast.
Blaydes, chairman of the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee, thanked donors to unrestricted and field of interest endowments that make grant awards possible.
He went on to say that it takes more than donors to make a difference in Putnam County. It takes donors plus the Community Foundation plus local nonprofit grantees to make “A Uniquely Stronger Community.”
The READY program at Area 30 Career Center was featured as a past grantee. Marla Farris, READY director, explained the program designed to give students personal, interpersonal and character skills for success in the workforce. The program began in January 2018 as a pilot project with initial funding from the Community Foundation for 15 students.
This year, more than 30 students are enrolled in the program. Four students in the READY program, Kaylee Hubbard, Tre Hunter, Piersten Young and Caitlyn Hensley, spoke of the skills that they have received from the program.
Dean Gambill, director of community development, introduced the organizations receiving grants. These awards are funded from the Community Foundation’s unrestricted and field of interest funds. Gambill explained that three different types of grants were awarded: Endowment Builder Grants, Community Grants and Youth Philanthropy Grants.
Fall 2018 Community Grants: Town of Roachdale, $27,000; Family Support Services, $10,000; Gobin UMC–Pay It Forward, $10,000; Gleaners Food Bank, $5,000; Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, $2,500; Putnam County Comprehensive Services, $2,500; Mental Health America of Putnam County, $1,500; and Rotary Club of Greencastle, $800.
Endowment Builder Grant: Russellville Community Center, $10,660.94.
Youth Philanthropy Grants: Beyond Homeless-Michael White Eagle Scout Project, $500, and Tri-M of Greencastle Middle School, $500.
A representative from each organization told the story behind their grant. The organizations were then presented with a check by a member of the Community Foundation’s Grant Committee.
The morning was concluded with brief words of appreciation by Phil Gick, who will begin duties as president of the Community Foundation Board of Directors on Jan. 1.
Breakfast sponsors included Old National Bank and Old National Wealth Management. The breakfast was catered by Almost Home and held in the Community Room of Area 30 Career Center.
For information about applying for an Endowment Builder Grant, a Community Grant, or a Youth Philanthropy Grant, visit www.pcfoundation.org or contact Gambill at 653-4978. The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to administer funds, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County.
Published in the Banner-Graphic – https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2572833.html
