Check It Out

Giving a little bit that will go a long way has become an annual tradition for the Valley County Community Foundation (VCCF). Several community members gathered on Monday, April 20, at the Valley Event Center to be presented with a check to help out with community projects.

Meggan Walstad opened up before presenting checks to representatives from different entities by explaining that an endowment was set up in 1999 with the hopes to help give to local organizations and support local projects with a community savings. Walstad said that the first grant given out was just $1,100. This year they gave $16,000.

As she read the mission statement is talked about being a steward of a community savings account and being guardians of a permanent endowment that would support economic, cultural and charitable organizations. The idea that they could respond to high quality projects that would make an impact.

Walstad said that the endowment has grown over 16 years to around $600,000. Over the 16 years it has grown the VCCF has donated $144,679 in grants. Annually they give out three endowments and two scholarships, one scholarship goes to a trade or vocational student, the other goes to a four-year college or university student. She also added that they give funding throughout the county and not just in Glasgow.

This year the recipients were:

The Glasgow City-County Library, which was granted $2,875 to cover painting walls on the main floor, entry and stairwell.

The Fort Peck Fine Arts Council received $1,000 for a clothes dryer to go into the new building to help assist with the theater housing for actors in the summer.

The Fort Peck Senior Citizens received $2,036 for purchasing 64 chairs and two banquet tables for community use.

Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team received $1,408.60 for the purchase of a pace clock with a roll-away stand and four pole anchors.

The Glasgow Recreation Department received $1,489.40 to help purchase a rowing machine for the cardio room.

Glasgow School District received $1,500 for training for a middle school teacher to received certification in the design and modeling program for Project Lead The Way, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum.

Hinsdale Future Farmers of America received $1,276 to help construct stairs for the Hinsdale School root cellar.

Prairie Ridge Village received $1,915 for a portable dance floor and storage container.

Last, but not least, Valley View Home received $2,500 to help replace the fire alarm panel.

For more information on the foundation, for applications and for a history of grants received in the area you can visit http://www.valleycountycf.net.