Lyon County, Iowa — An association that represents teacher unions in Iowa and represents educators in the state has given some grants to Lyon County students and families.
The George Little Rock Education Association was awarded two $500 Community Outreach Grants from the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA).
The ISEA tells us they established Community Outreach Grants to collaborate and create opportunities for community service or school projects. Grants are available to ISEA members. There are two deadlines for grant applications every year — on Feb. 1 and Oct. 15.
The first project partners with the Little Rock Library and the Little Rock Library Board of Directors to purchase large-print library books for check-out for people who need them. Large-print books are popular, and the library needs more to accommodate the demand.
The second project partners with the George Little Rock Kiwanis Club and Judd and Laura Reifers of Total Stop Food store to include a holiday ham on the items purchased with food vouchers for families participating in the Backpack Program for George Little Rock Community Schools.
West Lyon Education Association (WLEA)’s first project partners with the West Lyon Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a student leadership organization focusing on strengthening the family unit, and Manna Market Food & More Pantry to purchase gift items for families needing an extra boost around the holiday season.
The second West Lyon project helps establish a Care Closet in the West Lyon schools to stock essential items for families in need. The Care Closet will have items like winter-appropriate clothing, hygiene products, backpacks, school supplies, and other necessities for students in need.
The third West Lyon project, “Supporting Our Staff” (SOS), will celebrate the contributions of West Lyon support staff who often work behind the scenes but are critical to the smooth operation of any school district. SOS will highlight various staff and award them small tokens of appreciation during the school year.
The fourth West Lyon project, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” supports Rock Valley educators and students who lost their school in the summer’s flooding. Working with students, educators, and staff, West Lyon members will gather and purchase supplies for students and teachers affected by the flooding.
The final project supports the Central Lyon Education Association’s annual Burger Feed, which provides a meal for basketball fans, players, and community members. It raises money for a scholarship to the Central Lyon Foundation for students enrolled in teacher education programs in college. Members of the Central Lyon EA donate their time organizing the Burger Feed and working at the event.
ISEA President Joshua Brown says, “Our local public schools are the heart of their communities, and we recognize how much these projects strengthen the connections that help them to grow and thrive. Iowa’s communities are stronger because of the collective action from our members, and we are proud to be a part of this work.”
