Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Organizations in Everly and Royal to benefit from contributions
Mark Lundquist, Colleen Lundquist and Chris Raveling, representing Royal/Clay Lincoln Fire Department.
Lenah Meyer, Jill Reiser and Christie Seivert, representing the Hap Ketelsen Community Center.
Rick Steuben and Christie Seivert, representing the Everly Public Library.
From local libraries to the Jaws of Life, this year's round of grants from the Clay County Community Foundation (CCCF) will benefit a vast array of local causes.
The CCCF on Monday held its annual ceremony announcing funding allocations for 2024. Recipients from across the county were on hand to represent their groups, including three from Everly and Royal.
The Hap Ketelsen Community Center received $4,500 to assist with the installation of handicap-accessible front doors. Since the facility hosts a variety of community events and serves as a polling station on Election Day, the installation of these doors will make it safe and accessible for guests of all ages.
The Everly Public Library received $6,600 to assist with ongoing interior updates and new programming. The building, which is over 100 years old, has received several improvements in recent years in order to continue serving the community as a gathering space.
The Royal/Clay Lincoln Fire Department received $10,000 to purchase a new Jaws of Life. The squad's current model is gas powered and outdated, and the grant will assist in the purchase of a more efficient lightweight model.
Other grant recipients included: Spencer Parks Department, $3,000 for a new disc golf course; Clay County Public Health Department, $1,400 for the Early Childhood Dental Disease Prevention Program; Hope Haven, $2,000 for social games implementation; Lutheran Services In Iowa, $3,000 for children's mental health services; Catholic Charities, $4,700 for substance abuse therapy training; Grand Avenue Community Outreach, $5,512 for new dining seating and tables; Spencer Municipal Library Trust, $3,000 for audio books for children; Clay County Heritage Center, $3,328 for new exterior lighting; Clay County Agriculture Extension District, $5,963 for new furniture at new building; Arts on Grand, $8,000 for a new computer system; Kirchner French Memorial Library, $10,000 for a new roof; Peterson Fire Department, $2,600 for new tools; Spencer Chamber Foundation, $5,000 to promote events in Clay County; Dickens Fire Department, $10,000 for new bunker gear; Spencer Jaycees, $10,000 for new fair stand grills; Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis, $10,000 for new ovens for fair "Cookie Bucket" cookies; Occasions, $10,000 for new oven and facility updates.
The CCCF is a publicly supported, tax-exempt organization created by and for the people of Clay County to invest the gifts received from individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and governmental agencies. According to the CCCF, these gifts are carefully invested and the income from these endowed funds are used to make grants to public charities and governmental organizations that best meet the needs of Clay County.
The current CCCF Board of Directors includes: Tennie Binzer (president), Adam Batschelet (vice president), Cindy McGranahan (secretary), Lois McCarty (treasurer), Bev Rutter, Betsy Schoelerman, Jan Mummert, Paul Brenner, Paul Wick and Jane Goeken. Terri Batschelet serves as executive director.
