Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Bolivar teachers Kayla King, Janet Tweedy and Joelle Smith received a Fund for Teachers Fellowship to attend an education conference in Orlando, Fla.

Editors Note:  This is the second of two features on Rural Schools Partnership educators who applied for and received funding from the Fund for Teachers Fellows Program in conjunction with The Rural School and Community Trust.  Only eleven awards were made to rural teachers nationally, and we are proud that two were in the Missouri Ozarks.  This year’s Fellows are Bolivar Primary teachers Kayla King, Joelle Smith, and Janet Tweedy; and Ste. Genevieve Valle Catholic Grade School’s Donna Herzog, who is featured below.

Bolivar Primary School teachers Kayla King, Janet Tweedy and Joelle Smith spent part of their summer vacations attending a week-long cooperative learning conference in Orlando, Fla., through one of 11 national Fund for Teachers Fellowships awarded for 2011.

The three first- and second-grade teachers applied for Fund for Teachers fellowships in hopes of enhancing their ability to apply cooperative learning in their classrooms and to build content into cooperative learning structures they had developed.

Janet Tweedy said the three teachers were very excited to receive one of the 11 fellowships awarded to teachers from rural communities by the Rural School and Community Trust, working in conjunction with the Rural Schools Partnership program of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The program is designed to encourage rural teachers to explore summertime opportunities that will bring learning to life for their students.

The Bolivar trio used the $10,000 award to attend a week-long cooperative learning conference in Orlando in July.  A special experience for the teachers was the opportunity to work with internationally renowned cooperative learning experts Spencer and Laura Kagan. (more…)

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks offices in Springfield, West Plains and Joplin will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of the holiday.

Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, July 5.

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Lucy and Tae-Jin set up a lemonade stand near their homes in New York City to raise funds for Joplin tornado and Japan tsunami relief efforts.

As we launch a new section of our website dedicated specifically to our involvement in Joplin’s recovery efforts, it seems like an appropriate time to share a sampling of the notes we’ve received with contributions that have come in from nearly all 50 states and several countries.

The new section – JoplinRecoveryFund.org – currently includes the list  of Joplin-related funds established at the Community Foundation, donors to the funds, and other information about the role of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri, Inc.

As the Joplin-based committee determines the process for distributing these funds, information about future grantmaking opportunities and grant awards will be included.

These excerpts from some of the notes we’ve received show the support and sympathy from those moved to contribute and express their faith in Joplin’s future.

Please accept my small donation for the people of Joplin. May God bless them, give them courage and know that many in our great nation hold them in our hearts and in our prayers.

Beverly
Sharon, Mass.

This past weekend, my son, Tae-Jin, and his good friend, Lucy, (Kindergarten students at PS 110 in New York, NY), decided to raise money by selling lemonade on the streets of Manhattan to help kinds in both Joplin, Mo, and the country of Japan that were impacted by the recent natural disasters. Please find enclosed a check for $45 which represents half of the money raised from their lemonade sales. They are hoping that the money can be used to help kids in Joplin.

Neelesh
New York, NY

This money was tips I earned playing at a coffee house in Voorhees, N.J., to help in any way needed.

Lore

I believe in these hard times if every American or household could make a small contribution for the citizens of the devastated zone of Joplin we will make a stronger “America.”

Alex
Caguas, Puerto Rico
(Sent to CNN’s John King, who forwarded to the Joplin Recovery Fund)

People of Joplin – Our hearts and prayers are with you – One Day at a Time!

Mick and Becky
Springfield

EaglePicher Employee Fund: I hope the community is strengthened by the outreach of others who are able to support them with donations, hands-on assistance and love as lives are rebuilt. May God bless the souls of those who did not live through this tragedy.

Linda
Houston, Texas

Since my father didn’t want anything for Father’s Day, I am sending you this check in his name, Jim Johnson, from Willow Springs, MO.

Betty
Universal City, Texas

Trees for Joplin! An important goal in the restoration! Happy to participate in my small way.

Miriam
Springfield

In lieu of birthday presents for my daughter’s 25^th birthday this week, she asked that donations be made to help the people of Joplin.

Emil and Carla
Jupiter, Fla.

At St. Louis County Government, we recently collected funds to aid Joplin tornado victims. Please accept these donations from our employees.

Stephanie Bauer, Public Information Coordinator

City of Joplin: Wish I had more to spare. Maybe the enclosed $5 will buy a box of cereal for a shelter – same tragedy here 5-11-53.

John
Waco, Texas

(Sent to Ryan Seacrest at “American Idol”)

Dear Ryan: Great show, great season. If you guys are able to do a show in Joplin and Tuscaloosa this summer the people in these cities can certainly use the morale boost and the donations. Contact a couple of my neighbors to see if they will join you – Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen.

Paul
Rumson, N.J.

Leggett & Platt Tornado Fund: I have been to Joplin and Carthage and therefore have a bit more of a feel than most people who are seeing the area through the media. In any event, there is no real way to amply express our feelings as to what transpired. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.

Kenneth
House of Adjustments, Inc.

I am so sorry about the tornado that hit Joplin yesterday. God bless your town – 5-23-11. Love you!

Faith
Hobard, Okla.

I am making this donation to the Joplin Recovery Fund in honor of the QI Department at St. Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven, CT. The devastation suffered by the Joplin community is horrible and we will all continue to pray for all of you as you grieve andtry to rebuild and heal.

God Bless,
Mary

I recently was widowed – my husband was a wonderful carpenter – wish I had more to give – hope this little amount will help. Thank you for coming to the aid of these families.

Jackie
Shepherdsville, KY

We trust this contribution will be used to do whatever necessary to restore some normalcy to this area of our country.

Ralph A. Rockow
Exodyne, Phoenix, Ariz.