Wishes granted

Hillsboro Community Foundation board members presented grant checks totaling a record $18,300 Jan. 26 to 10 area organizations and programs serving Marion County children and families.

The presentation occurred during halftime of the Hillsboro High School boys’ basketball game with Marion.

Of the total distributed, $12,000 came through the Hillsboro Area Impact Fund and was distributed among eight entities; five grants totaling $6,300 came through the Kansas Health Foundation Fund and was divided among five entities.

Through the nine years HCF has provided grants, $114,500 has been distributed. This was the fourth year grants were awarded through KHF, which was established about six years ago.

Following are the recipients of this year’s grants, with a brief explanation how the money will be used.

  • Circles of Marion County ($2,000 Impact Fund) is an initiative to eradicate poverty by building relationships across class lines. Circles defines persons caught in poverty as Leaders, and trains them to lead their families out of poverty.
  • City of Hillsboro ($1,000 Impact Fund; $1,000 KHF). The city acquired Bluejay Lanes several years ago and has done extensive remodeling. Two rooms are dedicated for youth activities. The grant will be used for the purchase of “cosmic” lighting and sound.
  • Families and Communities Together ($1,000 Impact Fund, $500 KHF). The Hillsboro Area Family Financial Assistance Fund provides emergency funds to families that reside in the USD 410 school district. Payments will be provided for utilities, rent, medical services or other critical services.
  • Hillsboro Senior Center ($1,300 KHF). Funds will be used to replace the fresh-air vents for the kitchen exhaust fan. The Senior Center serves meals five days a week and averages 80 meals per day. The center also is used for community events.
  • Marion County 4-H Development Fund ($500 Impact Fund): The Marion County 4-H Development Fund supports and assists Marion County 4-H members, youth leaders and adult leaders in the areas of education, citizenship and leadership development. The grant will be used for scholarships to help 4-H youth attend camp at Rock Springs Ranch.
  • Main Street Ministries Inc. ($1,000 Impact Fund, $1,000 KHF). The $2,500 will go toward the project to update the Upper Room, main building, third floor, which is used primarily for gatherings and children’s ministry. The project involves purchasing cabinets and bookcases for children’s toys and books, and repurposing two of the small rooms into exercise rooms and two other rooms into sewing/craft rooms for Sojourners’ use.
  • Trinity Mennonite Church ($2,500 KHF). Last year, the congregation organized a “Food 4 Kids” program. They served meals to an average 22 children and some parents five days a week. They plan to offer the program again this year and will use the grant to give the children a safe place to play by creating a playground consisting of swings, a climbing unit, glider, etc.
  • USD 410 After School Program ($1,000 Impact Fund). This program is available for first through sixth graders. It provides healthy, enriching and emotionally developing activities for at-risk students who may be without adult supervision.
  • Tabor College ($1,500 Impact Fund). The funding is for the Signature Campaign for the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts to meet the needs of the college and community. This will be a place for learning, a worship center and the enhancement of liberal arts education for students.
  • USD 410 Technology Student Association ($2,500 Impact Fund). Hillsboro TSA is the local chapter of a national organizations. The mission of TSA is to foster growth, leadership and opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The grant will be used to update software used for design, analysis and construction of solution for competitive events.

Don Ratzlaff / Reprinted from the Hillsboro Free Press