Community Foundation of the Ozarks

MGACF board members and grant recipients at the banquet.

The Mountain Grove Area Community Foundation awarded $10,000 in grants to nine community groups at its first-ever Boot Scootin’ Benefit at the Downtown Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The Foundation has been re-invigorated in recent months with the addition of more board members who organized Saturday’s event, which included entertainment by the STARS Foundation band, and singer Jason Plummer; a chuck wagon style steak dinner, a silent auction and awards for the Biggest Buckle, Ugliest Boots and Best Hat.

Guest speaker Carol Silvey, the CFO’s senior associate for advancement, congratulated the Mountain Grove board on its renewed activity.

“Philanthropy is not about people giving millions of dollars,” she said. “It’s about a lot of people giving $10, $25, or $2. It all gets put into a big pot and adds up.”

These groups received the grant awards at the banquet:
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Two groups in Missouri and Denver are hosting run/walk  events this weekend with proceeds designated for the Joplin Recovery Fund.

The Missouri Science & Technology MBA Association is sponsoring “Run to Rebuild” 10K and 5K run/walk at 8 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Rolla Lions Club Park.

The campus group is encouraging individuals of all ages and athletic abilities to participate in the family friendly event to help their Missouri neighbors recover from the May 22 tornado. More information is available on the event’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279032608793364.

Meanwhile, a Joplin native now living in Denver is organizing the “Supreme Lending Twister 5K” at 8 a.m. at the city’s Cheesman Park.

“After the Tornado hit, I felt deep compassion for my hometown, and I knew I wanted to help,” organizer Gretchen Reyes said. “My husband and I were able to go back shortly after the disaster to help jump start the road to recovery in Joplin. Once we returned back to Denver, we realized a charity race would be a great way for the local community to help the families of Joplin.”

The Denver race’s sponsor, mortgage originator Supreme Lending, agreed to participate because of its commitment to the American dream of home ownership.

“We are honored to sponsor the 5k and aid the community of Joplin, as they look to rebuild that dream,” Lending Branch Manager Dale Petrillo said. “It is a great opportunity for the members of our community to use their feet to help another community get on theirs.”

For more information about the Denver event, please visit: www.twister5k.com.

The Joplin Recovery Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri and the CFO, is designated for intermediate and long-term recovery efforts. Anyone who can’t participate, but is  interested in  supporting these events can donate online at: www.cfozarks.org/donate (note Joplin Recovery Fund in the fund/program box); or send a check to the Joplin Recovery Fund, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO, 65801.

Table Rock Lake CF President Jim Holt, far left, and Vice President Nita Jane Ayres, far right, present a ceremonial check to non-profit agencies in their Barry County service area as part of this week's community grantmaking awards.

Stone County service providers are honored at a luncheon in Kimberling City.

The Table Rock Lake Community Foundation presented 13 community grants this week totaling nearly $30,000, including two first-time challenge grants designated for start-up organizations or one-time projects.

“Our goal is to support projects that provide vital community services, encourage collaboration within groups and improve our region as a whole,” said Jim Holt, president of the TRLCF, a CFO affiliate foundation.

The Eagle Rock-Mano Fire Department received a $2,000 challenge grant for a new generator and the Lakes Area Child Advocacy Center received the other $2,000 challenge grant for a piece of specialized equipment to improve screening young children who may be victims of abuse.

The other grant recipients were:

• Central Crossing Fire District: $3,000 for two AEDs
• CHANCES of Stone County: $1,300 to send kids to Camp Barnabas
• Children’s Smile Center : $2,500 for services for Stone County
• Christian Associates of Table Rock Lake: $3,000 to support its Northern Stone Facility
• Kimberling Area Library Association: $1,500 for book purchases
• Kornerstone Family Literacy:  $3,000 Early Childhood Center &  High School Recovery Program
• Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch:  $2,000 for its Community Assistance Program
• Pregnancy Life Line:  $2,000 for its  “Earn While You Learn” program curriculum
• Stone County Council on Aging: $1,250 for its Good Neighbor Transportation program
• Shell Knob Alliance of Churches: $3,000 for Community Assistance Programs
• Tri-Lakes Animal Shelter: $1,500 to help support improved conditions