MCCF awards $133,500 in funds

Tess Nelson
The Red Oak Express

The Montgomery County Family YMCA will be replacing its rooftop HVAC unit after receiving $30,000 from the Montgomery County Community Foundation, in conjunction with the Red Oak Heritage Foundation.
In all, 15 Montgomery County non-profit organizations received $133,550 as part of its spring 2022 grant cycle. All those awarded grants are nonprofit organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of health, education, social services, culture and civic engagement. Only organizations in Montgomery County were allowed to apply.
The Red Oak Grand Theatre was awarded $17,750 for tuck-pointing and the repair of the facility.
“The board has a commitment to maintain what we have so the theatre is there for generations to come.  Tuck-pointing is an essential part in accomplishing our commitment,” said Red Oak Grand Theatre board member Jeanice Lester. “The Red Oak Grand Theatre is a wonderful asset for our community and beyond and we thank everyone for their support.”
A permanent sound system will be purchased with the $13,250 the Stanton Viking Center received. Stanton Viking Center Board Member Mickey Anderson said the new sound system will be utilized by the Stanton Community and surrounding area for events such as social gatherings, wedding receptions, meetings and sporting events.
“At this time, when the Viking Center has a major event, it has to borrow or rent a sound system,” said Anderson. “Being able to provide a quality sound system will not only help the current events but will be able to attract many other events that are looking for an event type center with quality type sound and seating within Southwest Iowa.”
The Red Oak Music Boosters will purchase a four-piece timpani set with the $9,050 the received, while the Southwest Valley Early Childhood Education Center will use the $9,000 they were awarded for an outdoor classroom project.
Computer and network upgrades are in store for the Wilson Performing Arts Center (WPAC) with the $8,000 they were awarded.
The Stanton Historical Society will utilize the $5,000 they received for an upstairs air-conditioning project; Project Porchlight will use the $3,000 they were allotted for their backpack project; Feed the Pack West will use the $3,000 they were granted for an outdoor eating area; and the Elliott Community Club will purchase a utility shed with the $5,000 they were given.  
A pool and park upgrade for the City of Villisa will take place with the $6,000 they were allotted; campground play equipment will be installed at Viking Lake with the $7,000 received by the Friends of Viking Lake Park, Inc.; new folding chairs will be purchased by the Montgomery County Agricultural Society with the $5,490 they were awarded; and lastly, with the $7,500 awarded to the Restored Burlington Northern Depot & World War II Museum, damaged windows will be replaced and the chimney restored.
Jolene Crawford, board member of the Restored Burlington Northern Depot & World War II Museum, said they are thrilled to receive the funds in order to make “some very much needed repairs to maintain the integrity of a beautiful, historic building.”
The Montgomery County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation, which meets National Standards for Community Foundations, and is one of nine county members of the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa. It receives funds annually from the State of Iowa County Endowment Fund Program for endowment building and grant making throughout the county. This cycle of grants was made possible through the County Endowment Fund Program and is funded by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue, which is distributed annually to participating community foundations associated with counties without a state-issued gaming license.
The Montgomery County Community Foundation Advisory Board Members are Chair, James Norris of Red Oak; Vice Chair, Bruce Swanson, Esq. of Red Oak; Secretary/Treasurer, Kevin Britten of Red Oak; Dennis D. Bloom, Esq. of Red Oak; Brian LaRette of Red Oak; Jenna Ramsey of Stanton; Donna Robinson of Villisca; Kim Robinson of Red Oak; and John Tischer of Elliott.
For information about donating or establishing an individual foundation/fund, please contact Stacey Goodman, Iowa Foundations Director, at 800-794-3458 or stacey@omahafoundation.org.

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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