Central Lyon Awarded Grants
By Dave Ackerman
The Central Lyon Community School district is pleased to announce that it has received two grants from the Community Foundation of Lyon County.
The first grant, in the amount of $8000, is designated for the construction of a handicapped accessible restroom facility and concession stand at the Central Lyon football/track complex. Other sources of funding for this project include donations from the CL Quarterback Club, CL Athletic Boosters, CL Music Boosters, City of Rock Rapids, City of Rock Rapids Utilities and the Central Lyon Infrastructure Local Option Tax Provisions (SILO). The Central Lyon May Term Construction Class will assist with the construction of the facility. The total project is anticipated to cost approximately $45,000.
The second grant received was for $5000. It was applied for by the Central Lyon Community School District and the George-Little Rock School District to purchase a total of 7 AED defibrillators. Schools which have students with serious medical conditions residing in the district are required to have AEDs reasonably accessible at all times.
The Central Lyon Community Schools and the George-Little Rock Schools are a great source of community pride. We truly believe each community has an outstanding team of volunteer emergency medical personnel, but even with quick response times, EMS personnel may not reach a patient for several minutes. By having AEDs immediately available in the case of a cardiac emergency is truly a lifesaving safety feature that cannot be over looked.
The Central Lyon District will place an AED in or near each of the three gyms and another AED in the lower level of the elementary building which would make it quickly accessible if there would be a cardiac emergency on the playground. The George-Little Rock District will also place the AEDs in or near the gym of each of their three buildings.
Many local organization and volunteer groups have pledged funds assist with the purchase of the AEDs including the following groups: Rock Rapids Kiwanis, CL Parent/Teacher Council (PTC), Preceptor Gamma Psi, Xi Zeta Kappa Psi, Rock Rapids Fire Dept., Women's Action Club (WAC), Central Lyon Education Association (CLEA), River Valley Players, Little Rock Parent/Teacher Council, Town & Country Volunteer Group, City of Little Rock, and the George Kiwanis.
On behalf of the Central Lyon Community School District and the George-Little Rock School District, I would like to the Community Foundation of Lyon County and the individuals who put their time, effort and funds to make these projects a reality.
If you would like to learn more about the Community Foundation of Lyon County, please visit their web site at Community Foundation of Lyon County
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carl Petersen, Advisory Board Chair
Community Foundation of Lyon County (712) 472-3770
Debbie Hubbard, Executive Director
Siouxland Community Foundation (712) 293-3303
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LYON COUNTY AWARDS GRANTS
The Community Foundation of Lyon County (CFLC) recently awarded grants totaling $97,951 to eighteen nonprofit organizations in support of projects and programs throughout Lyon County.
“The CFLC has had the opportunity to help various nonprofit organizations throughout the past few years. For example, we have awarded grants to bring programs to area libraries, help fire/ambulance departments update equipment, and address local health issues,” stated Carl Petersen, CFLC Advisory Board Chair.
The CFLC was formally established in 2005 through affiliation with the Siouxland Community Foundation and is governed by a local nine-member advisory board composed of representatives, with one at-large member, from each of the eight communities in Lyon County; Alvord, Doon, George, Inwood, Larchwood, Lester, Little Rock, and Rock Rapids.
The mission of the Community Foundation of Lyon County is to enhance the overall quality of life in the county for present and future generations by providing opportunities for donors to leave a legacy, by building a permanent collection of endowment funds, and by making grants in response to priority community needs.
Funding for the grant program is a result of County Endowment Fund legislation (HF2302) passed in 2005 which provides that a percentage of the state’s gambling revenues is to be distributed among all Iowa counties that do not have a gambling entity. In accordance with the legislation, CFLC received over $131,604 in the fall of 2008 with 75 percent allocated for the grant program and the remaining 25 percent to build the County’s permanent endowment. To date, the CFLC has received $340,164 from the State to be used for charitable purposes.
The following are recently awarded grants from the CFLC:
Civic and Community
Alvord Fire and Rescue - $6,000: For replacing 20+ year old personal protective gear currently worn by firefighters.
City of George - $6,000: Funds to add lighting on recreational trail in area that encircles the pond in Locker Park for safety reasons.
City of Inwood - $4,400: For the purchase of new flower planters to beautify the Main Street business area.
City of Larchwood - $10,000: Support for construction of a 600' x 6' concrete pathway around the south portion of Larchwood City Park.
City of Lester - $4,000: To replace 20+ year old wooden playground equipment at the city ball diamond/park complex.
City of Lester - $1,451: To install a west and north wall on open shelter house in the city park to increase use by providing protection from the winds.
City of Rock Rapids - $7,500: Toward constructing three handicapped accessible movable cabins to improve recreation and camping facilities in Island Park. Cabins will be built on skids to allow for loading and relocating during off season.
George Betterment Club: $4,500: Fiscal Sponsor is City of George. Toward replacing roof and siding on Betterment Park shelter house.
Larchwood Betterment Club - $8,000: Funding toward the cost of building a new centrally located concession stand with handicap accessible restrooms as the current small concession stand and restrooms are no longer adequate.
Larchwood Fire Department - $3,600: For the purchase of new air tanks that provide volunteer firefighters with oxygen when entering a smoked filled building.
Little Rock EMS - $5,000: Matching funds for the purchase of an electric cot for ambulance that would replace current manual lift cot.
Little Rock Town & Country Club - $4,000: Fiscal Sponsor is the City of Little Rock. To replace unsafe wooden playground equipment and add new weather resistant equipment in Town & County Park.
Lyon County Conservation Foundation - $7,500: To extend the rental season year-round, awarded funds to build two fully furnished larger cabins at Lake Pahoja with heat/air unit and full amenity bathroom.
Lyon County Fair Association - $5,000: Support towards adding a handicap accessible stall in both men's and women's restroom by the Round Barn.
West Lyon Future Farmers of America - $6,000: Funding toward an electronic sign with lights and landscaping in front by the driveway to identify West Lyon school as current lettering on building is deteriorating and can’t be seen from the road.
Education
Central Lyon Community School District - $8,000: Toward the construction of a handicap accessible restroom facility and concession stand. Project will complete renovation of the football stadium and track complex.
Health
Central Lyon & George-Little Rock Community School Districts - $5,000: Schools which have students with serious medical conditions residing in the district are required to have an automatic external defibrillator (AED) reasonably accessible at all times. School Districts receiving support toward jointly purchasing seven new AED's.
Human Services
Lyon County Planning Council - $2,000: Support for the C.A.R.E.S. (Carseat and Restraint Education Services) Program of Lyon County to purchase 25 30 carseats which are made available to families with children age 0 to 6.
