Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Congratulations to Dennis Bond, a founding member of the Eldon Community Foundation and its first president, for winning two prestigious volunteer awards. Mr. Bond received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Eldon Chamber of Commerce for his involvement with the Community Foundation as well as other volunteer efforts in the U.S. and abroad. He was also awarded the The Bowl Hygia from the Missouri Pharmacy Association for Leadership and Service to his Community; his work with the Eldon Community Foundation was a significant factor in his receiving this award.

Dennis Bond was instrumental in establishing the Eldon Community Foundation, and served as its first president when the organization was established in February of 2005. During his time as president, the Eldon Community Foundation has moved from inception to a $1 million plus organization. Mr. Bond oversaw the implementation and eventual completion of the Kent Kehr Challenge, a challenge that brought in a significant amount assets to the organization. Mr. Bond also was instrumental in the development of over 25 funds affiliated with the Eldon Community Foundation. He continues to serve on the organization’s Board of Governors.

Doniphan, MO based artist Rosemary Claus-Gray received a grant for $2500 from the 2008 Ripley Butler Clay Fund Grant for the Arts. The 2008 Ripley Butler Clay Fund Grant for the Arts is designed to advance a visual artist residing in either Ripley or Butler County, Missouri, or in Clay County, Arkansas that displays exceptional aesthetic investigation in either two or three-dimensional artwork. The Ripley Butler Clay Fund is a component fund held jointly by the Butler County and Ripley County Community Foundations.

Ms. Claus-Gray is a mixed media artist who uses fabrics, acrylic paint, mesh, hand-made paper, screen-printing, and threads to create abstract compositions. Her work has been featured in exhibitions throughout the Ozarks, the United States and internationally. The funds provided through the Ripley Butler Clay Fund Grant for the Arts will be used my Ms. Claus-Gray for supplies, entry fees and travel as she explores the themes of her work in a large format. She plans to have finished this work in 2009 with regional displays to follow.

Arts and cultural opportunities promote education, economic development and an overall sense of pride in our towns, cities and counties. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its 40 regional affiliate foundations are committed supporting the arts as part of our mission to improve and sustain the quality of life in our Ozarks communities.

For more information about Ms. Claus-Gray and to view samples of her work, visit her website.

Pictured above: On Fire, 2008, painted silk organza and polyester

Congratulations to the St. James Area Community Foundation for receiving a $10,000 grant from the James Foundation to assist with the cost of a feasibility study future options for the St. James community swimming pool. The St. James Area Community Foundation raised another $4,200 to cover the additional costs of the study.

The Community swimming pool was originally built by the James Foundation I the 1960s, and the community recreational facility is need of several major repairs and upgrades in order to continue to provide St. James families with a summer time recreational activity. The study will determine what the best options for the facility’s future are. For the next step in the process, the St. James Area Community Foundation will conduct a community awareness campaign and seek input from residents.

The work of the St. James Area Community Foundation here is good reminder of the unique position foundations are in to meet important community needs through leadership and asset development.