Harris, Iowa — Over $120,000 in grants were handed out in a ceremony in Harris on Tuesday night.
The Community Foundation of Osceola County (CFOC) presented 37 grants totaling $120,423.74 to organizations and communities throughout Osceola County at the Harris Community Center.
The Community Foundation of Osceola County says they are committed to improving the quality of life throughout Osceola County. Since the CFOC was established, more than $1.2 million has been granted to assist with a wide range of community development projects. 2020 marks the 15th anniversary of the CFOC’s grant program.
Thirteen of the projects received $5000 apiece. The grants were for everything from sending veterans on an Honor Flight to a grain bin shelter at Hawkeye Point to new patron computers at the Sibley Public Library. One also went toward the Osceola County Freedom Rock, the Sibley Fire Department Smoke Detector Program, remodeling the 4-H and Extension office at the fairgrounds, installing cameras at the sheriff’s office, and much more.
Some projects received varying amounts down to $500. For the 2019-2020 grant cycle, a total of 44 applications was received, and 37 received total or partial funding. Those that didn’t get funding this time are encouraged to try again next year.
| Ashton American Legion Post 290 | $2,500.00 | American Legion Grave Markers |
| Ashton Community Center | $2,500.00 | Walk Behind Floor Scrubber |
| Ashton Fire Dept. | $4,500 | light Replacement For The Grass Rig |
| Ashton Legion Auxiliary Post 290 | $1,750.00 | Flag replacements & Sibley Auxiliary Grave Markers |
| Ashton Public Library | $2,500.00 | toward Library Shelving |
| Bright Beginnings | $2,500.00 | Child Care Gap Analysis & Strategic Plan |
| City of Harris | $5,000 | Restoration of Old Marshall’s Bldg. |
| DeBoer Grocery Museum | $2,000.00 | toward their Museum Update & Repair Project |
| Harris Fire Department | $1,805.00 | Improved Storage Solutions |
| Hawkeye Point Foundation | $5,000 | a Grain Bin Shelter |
| May City Betterment | $1,575.67 | Harrison Township Hall Repairs |
| May City Comm. Fire Dept. | $5,000 | Building Improvement |
| McCullum Museum | $1,600.00 | a box Enclosure for Opera Screen Electrical & Plumbing |
| Melvin American Legion Auxiliary Unit 470 | $5,000 | repair and update Bathroom in American Legion Bldg. |
| Melvin American Legion Post | $3,900.94 | Veteran Recognition Sign and Soldier Statue |
| Melvin Area Econ. Dev. Corp. | $4,085.00 | refurbish Patriotic Rock Mural & Add Privacy Fence |
| New Beginnings | $5,000 | a Furnace HVAC System |
| Ocheyedan Catfish Club | $1,850.00 | Ocheyedan Little League Field Surfacing & Equipment |
| Ocheyedan Economic Dev. Corp. | $5,000 | Ocheyedan Town Hall Renovation Kitchen Project |
| Ocheyedan Public Library | $1,901.30 | toward Maintaining the Library Exterior |
| Ocheyedan Sr. Activity Center | $775.00 | Upgrades for Ocheyedan Sr. Center |
| Ocheyedan Volunteer Fire Dept. | $5,000 | Equipment Updates |
| Osceola Co. Freedom Rock | $5,000 | Life Size Cement Military Statues |
| Osceola Co. Sheriff Office | $5,000 | toward Watch Guard VISTA HD Cameras |
| Osceola Comm. Hospital Inc. | $2,500.00 | toward its campaign for a new 3D Mammography machine |
| Osceola County Livestock Show | $5,000 | remodel & update extension & 4-H office |
| Sibley Betterment | $2,465.67 | Sibley Christmas Tree |
| Sibley Chamber of Commerce | $500.00 | toward Sibley Chamber Parade Float |
| Sibley Iowa Firefighter’s Association | $5,000 | Sibley Fire Dept. Smoke Detector Program |
| Sibley Outdoor Aquatic Center | $1,015.16 | towards a Pool Vacuum |
| Sibley Public Library | $5,000 | new patron computers |
| Sibley Senior Center | $1,500.00 | new tables |
| S-O Athletic Booster Club | $2,500.00 | S-O Outdoor Concessions Stand & bathrooms |
| S-O Science Club | $4,200.00 | S-O Engineering Classroom |
| Tracy House Museum | $2,500.00 | Shingling Vacuum Cleaner Restoration Supplies |
| Union Cemetery Board | $2,500.00 | Union Cemetery Metal Entry Gate |
| WeCare | $5,000 | sending Veterans on Brushy Creek Honor Flight |
