HCF awards $21,461 to ‘enhance quality of life’

Hillsboro Community Foundation distributed grant awards totaling $21,461 Friday to 16 Hillsboro-area not-for-profit entities during halftime of the high school boys’ basketball games with Pratt.

Formed in 2004, HCF exists to promote and facilitate charitable giving in support of projects and programs that enhance the quality of life in the USD 410 community.

Since its formation, HCF has given $460,063 back to the community through grants and scholarships.

Following are the grant recipients, and their projects:

◼ CASA of the 8th Judicial District, $1,000: Advocacy for child victims of abuse and neglect. The funds will be used to recruit CASA volunteer advocates for the Hillsboro area.

These events would allow the program to give information to individuals who are interested in becoming CASA volunteer advocates.

◼ Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, $500: Thanks­giving Food Drive for Main Street Ministries

Ebenfeld has worked with Main Street Ministries to provide groceries for Thanks­giving dinner baskets for families in need. Meat coupons from Dale’s Supermarket will be included in the basket.

◼ Families and Communities Together (FACT), $1,500: Hillsboro Area Family Financial Assistance Fund, FACT Inc. provides emergency financial assistance for provision of basic needs, including shelter, food, medical care and transportation. All donations designated to the Family Financial Assistance Fund go directly to assist families.

◼ USD 410 Chess Guild, $300: The Chess Guild provides students with chess lessons, encourages them to grow in their knowledge and skill in chess, and provides the opportunity for students to compete in scholastic chess tournaments. The funds pay tournament entry fees and help cover expenses for the home tournament.

◼ USD 410 Hunter Safety Club, $476: The program will teach students to be responsible hunters through interactive activities that include becoming familiar with proper gun handling, animal identification, conservation and wildlife programs. The funds will be used to purchase equipment used during the training.

◼ City of Hillsboro outdoor basketball court, $2,000 (Kansas Health Foundation Fund): The goal is to construct two concrete basketball courts in Memorial Park. The funds will be used to purchase the materials and pay for the labor to construct the courts and items associated with the courts, such as pouring concrete, painting lines on the courts and putting up lighting around the courts.

◼ USD 410 exercise mats, $500 (Marga Ebel Fund): The grant will be used to purchase exercise mats to be used in the weight room by the Hillsboro physical education classes to help increase flexibility and core strength. The weight room is available for the community to use in the evenings.

◼ City of Hillsboro, JAM basketball program, $2,000 (Kansas Health Foun­dation Fund). The grant will help purchase basketballs for the JAM program. These balls would replace 200 basketballs that were purchased 11 years ago. The old balls no longer hold air for more than two weeks. The balls would be the appropriate size for various age groups, which will help the coaches teach proper techniques.

◼ Hillsboro Senior Center, $2,000: commercial refrigerator (Impact Fund): The current refrigerator no longer maintains the proper interior temperature because it cannot use the new hydro carbon refrigerant. The new refrigerator will maintain a colder temperature, lower utility costs, provide food safety and allow the senior center to meet new EPA standards for refrigerants.

◼ City of Hillsboro, Splash Pad/Community Plaza, $2,500 (Kansas Health Foundation Fund). Develop a splash pad and public gathering space to increase the quality of life in Hillsboro. Provide a safe and valuable venue for events. Phase one of the project includes a splash pad: a free and dynamic, zero-depth aquatic play area, shade, seating and public restrooms that are greatly desired for downtown and will connect to Hillsboro’s new walking trail. Funds may be used for features such as seating, shade and waste receptacles.

◼ Main Street Mini­stries Inc. exterior doors, $2,385 (Impact Fund): Currently, two exterior doors are so deteriorated that they no longer secure the building. The grant will replace the current doors with steel doors and have them professionally installed.

◼ Marion County 4-H Development Fund, 4-H Camp tuition assistance, $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 to provide financial assistance for Marion County 4-H youth to attend 4-H Camp or other state youth leadership development programs.

◼ Music On Site Inc., Experience Opera, $1,300 (Impact Fund): The goal of the program is to supplement existing arts education and develop an appreciation for opera in the next generation.

This includes an educational outreach program for area 2-12 students that includes educational packets to be used in class and a live opera performance.

Grant funds will be used to purchase education packet materials, artist stipends and production costs associated with producing a successful professional opera performance.

◼ Trinity Mennonite Church, Summer Food 4 Kids, $1,500 (Impact Fund): The summer Food 4 Kids program provides a noon meal throughout the summer for children who are at risk of hunger and food instability. More than 200 children participate in this program. A day swimming pass is given to each participant for exercise, socialization and a place to cool off during the hot summer.

◼ USD 410 on-site medical services, $2,500 (Marga Ebel Fund): Hillsboro Community Hospital would like to expand its services to USD 410 athletes by providing an on-site doctor once a week at the middle/high school. This collaboration would allow for greater accessibility and increase the overall health and prevention of injuries in the athletic programs.

Reprinted from the Hillsboro Free Press