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More than $145,000 in grants awarded during annual ceremony

T-R PHOTOS BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Community Foundation of Marshall County Executive Director Julie Hitchins talks about the charitable history of the organization during the annual grant ceremony on Tuesday evening. Seventeen organizations received funds.

Seventeen nonprofits and organizations received grants totaling $146,469 from the Community Foundation of Marshall County (CFMC) during the annual grant ceremony on Tuesday.

The ceremony, held at the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center (MACC), had a theme of “Better Together. Better Forever. Better Marshall County.” The event was opened by CFMC Board of Directors President Paul Gregoire, who brought up the theme.

“Keep that in your head as we walk through this, because there truly are wonderful things we are doing in our county,” he said.

Gregoire introduced CFMC Executive Director Julie Hitchins, who explained the event and the various causes the foundation has financed during the last 19 years. Over that time, she said the CFMC has awarded 662 grants totaling more than $1.8 million within Marshall County.

Hitchins wanted to incorporate the University of Iowa Hawkeyes phenomenal women’s basketball year and frequently joked about how she would make that connection with each of her points.

MICA Resource Development and Communications Coordinator Abra Dougherty accepts a grant from Student Philanthropy member Lillie Barker with LUCC. She also received grants from McKenna Coleman with STEP and Aubrey Lambi with SEAL.

“How do I tie that to women’s basketball?” she asked after speaking about one of the CFMC funds, drawing laughter from the crowd. “I can. You know I can.”

Hitchins then spoke about the student philanthropy program, which also awarded grants. With parents in the room, she praised the members as “great kids.”

The county’s three primary school districts each have their own student philanthropy groups — STEP (Students Teaching and Empowering Philanthropy) at Marshalltown High School; SEAL (Students Empowering and Leading) at East Marshall; and LUCC (Leaders Uplifting Community and Charity) at West Marshall.

“You have absolutely fabulous kids,” she said. “If you’re having a bad day with your kid, call me, and I will tell them about this, because they’re doing great things.”

Hitchins recalled a scavenger hunt through Marshalltown the students went on to find philanthropy opportunities. They were given one directive — to take a selfie and bring a story back.

Only standing room was available during the annual Community Foundation of Marshall County grant ceremony Tuesday night. More than $145,000 in grants were awarded.

“Much to our surprise, and a little bit of pride, they didn’t just take selfies,” she said. “They did random acts of kindness. One group bought groceries and filled a little pantry that is always empty. They saw a need. They filled it. Two groups picked up trash, which again doesn’t cost anything, but you’re making the world a better place. . . They continually look for opportunities where their grant dollars will have the most impact.”

Recipients, grants

awarded by CFMC began at $1,200. The board received 24 letters of intent requesting more than $305,000, and 13 organizations were invited to submit applications.

STEP’s focus was placed on youth and families. The students gave six organizations a total of $10,000.

LUCC’s priority areas were crisis assistance, youth support and health and wellness. They awarded four Marshall County organizations a total of $5,000 in grants.

SEAL’s funding priority was programs addressing basic needs. They awarded seven Marshall County organizations a total of $5,000 in grants.

Some notable grants awarded Tuesday night were for Mid Iowa Community Action (MICA), which was the only organization to receive funds from all four grantors. There was also the Friends of Marshall County Conservation, which received $25,000, the second highest grant given in the history of CFMC, for playground equipment at Green Castle.

Additional grant recipients were:

• Emergency Food Box from the CFMC for groceries, healthy meals and ethnic foods;

• House of Compassion, CFMC for utility and transportation assistance and the job path program; SEAL for utility and personal hygiene assistance; and LUCC for medical and dental vouchers;

• Marshall County Outreach and Extension, SEAL, pantry personal care items;

• Marshalltown YMCA YWCA, LUCC, Kids Safety Camp scholarships;

• Marshalltown Youth Foundation, STEP, youth scholarships for activities;

• MICA, LUCC and SEAL, supplement baby formula program; STEP, Marshall County Family Development office; CFMC, MICA Cares Program;

• Child Adolescent Parent Support, CFMC, STEP and SEAL, Crisis Intervention Program;

• Gilman Public Library, CFMC, groceries for little free pantries;

• Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, CFMC, home-delivered meals;

• The Bridge Home, STEP and LUCC, Motel Matters: Bridge to Home;

• Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters, STEP, Ready for School program; CFMC, feeding and supporting Littles;

• The Outreach Program, CFMC, 15,000 packaged meals for little free pantries;

• Pioneer Heritage Library, CFMC, indoor food pantry; SEAL, personal care items for the pantry;

• East Marshall Community School District, SEAL and STEP, Backpack Program;

• The Salvation Army of Marshall, SEAL, Sal’s Cupboard personal hygiene items; CFMC, Pathway of Hope Program;

• Iowa River Hospice, CFMC, Days of Care Program.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.

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