When checks are handed out providing much-needed funds for people in the business of helping other people, smiles can usually be found.
The Community Foundation of Marshall County held its annual grant awards ceremony Tuesday at the Iowa Valley Continuing Education conference center. The event handed out checks totaling $96,245, which comes from commercial gaming tax revenue and endowments.
A total of 33 community projects were funded by the CFMC board out of 43 applications this year.
Article Photos
T-R PHOTO BY ANDREW POTTER
Angela Lins-Eich, right, accepts a $10,000 grant for the Marshalltown Skate Park from Carolynn Sween Tuesday night at the grant awards ceremony of the Community Foundation of Marshall County. More than 30 grants and $90,000 was awarded at the event held at Iowa Valley's Dejardin Hall.
"We are very excited about the projects we were able to fund and the good they will do for Marshall County," Val Ruff, chair of the governing committee of the CFMC, said.
The biggest grant this year was $10,000, which went to the Marshalltown Skatepark expansion.
"This board has really been committed to projects that help kids," Bettie Bolar, development associate for the CFMC, said. "They see the skate park as having great potential for that."
Fact Box
Community Foundation of Marshall County Grant Recipients 2012-2013
Central Iowa Art Association - $3,000 - Open art studio for kids ages 3 to18
Orpheum Theater Center - $6,500 - Jean Seberg International Film Festival.
Marshall County Arts and Culture Alliance - $4,000 - Linn Creek Arts Festival.
Marshalltown Men's Chorus - $1,350 - Equipment upgrade.
Oktemberfest - $2,500 - Festival activities.
Central Iowa Fair Association- $900 - New signage for building and grounds.
City of Albion - $1,250 - Albion Ball Association for concrete under the bleachers at ball park.
City of Marshalltown Parks and Recreation - $840 - Aquatic wheelchair.
City of Marshalltown Parks and Recreation - $1,500 -18-hole disc golf course at Riverview Park.
City of Marshalltown Parks and Recreation - $10,000 - Marshalltown Skatepark, first phase.
City of State Center Rose Garden - $2,500 - Gazebo first phase of garden upgrade.
Iowa Valley Community College District Leadership Class of 2012 - $2,500 - Center Street Beautification Project.
Marshalltown Development Foundation - $6,000 - Marshalltown Central Business District pedestrian walkway.
Community Foundation of Marshall County STEP Program - $5,000 - Youth philanthropy grants in Marshall County.
City of Marshalltown Public Library - $2,700 - Online language learning.
Iowa Valley Community College District Education and Training Center - $5,000 - Adult literacy scholarships.
Mid-Iowa Community Action - $2,000 Reach Out and Read.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources - $5,000 - Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness River Expedition).
Mental Health Center of Mid-Iowa - $1,500 - Office Equipment.
Historical Society of Marshall County - $1,500 - Energy efficiency.
Marshalltown Federation of Women's Clubs - $2,000 - Metal fencing for Binford House.
Child Abuse and Prevention Services - $3,000 - Stork's Nest.
Domestic Violence Alternatives/Sexual Assault Center - $1,500 - Support and education groups.
Heart of Iowa Big Brothers & Big Sisters - $1,305 - Recruiting and retaining volunteers.
Iowa River Hospice - $900 - Life Support training equipment.
Marshall County Child Care Services - $2,500 - Infant cribs compliant with federal requirements.
Marshalltown Senior Citizen's Center - $1,000 - Programming support.
Marshalltown Youth Foundation - $4,000 - Support for kids' activities.
Mid-Iowa Community Action - $1,000 - Repair south entrance to Family Development Center
Mid-Iowa Workshops - $1,500 - Locker replacement.
Salvation Army - $3,000 - Summer program for at-risk kids.
Youth and Shelter Services - $3,000 - Travel vouchers.
Terry Gray, director of parks and recreation, said she is thrilled to get the money for the park.
"It's just what we needed to move the project forward," Gray said.
It was a good night for the parks in Marshalltown as the new 18-hole disc golf course being constructed at Riverview Park received $1,500.
The Jean Seberg International Film Festival received a $6,500 grant this year after getting $9,000 from the foundation last year for its inaugural festival.
"They had tremendous success last year, and we wanted to give them some help this year so that it continues to grow," Bolar said.
The Marshalltown Development Foundation was granted $6,000 to go toward the pedestrian walkway planned for the alley between Apgar Photography and the Fiddle and Whistle Pub.
Aside from the grants, a special presentation was made to Jim Lowrance of Great Western Bank , who received the new "For Good - For Ever" award for support of the CFMC.
Lowrance is a past governing committee member, and his company has provided office space for the CFMC.
"He's been so generous with the support he's given us," Bolar said.