SIDNEY — The Shelby County United Way awarded 18 special project grants totaling $48,668. These grants are in addition to the allocations awarded to partner agencies and programs that receive quarterly funding.
“Special Project Grants are available to non-profit organizations in the community providing impact work in the areas of Health, Education, and Financial Sustainability,” said Scott Barr, Shelby County United Way executive director. “It gives organizations that are not partner agencies the ability to apply for funding with specific programming or fixed asset or equipment purchases. Each application is reviewed by the Special Projects Committee and brought to the full board on a monthly basis for review.”
The Shelby County Historical Society was awarded $3,000 for Pioneer Days. There was $1,500 for the 2015-16 school year and another award for the 2016-17 school year. Workforce Partnership was awarded $5,000 to support classroom programming. Holy Angels Soup Kitchen was awarded $1,500 to purchase food for the soup kitchen.
Elizabeth New Life Center was awarded $3,500 to facilitate “Empowering Moms for the Workplace” curriculum in Shelby County. Family and Children First Council was awarded $4,300. The Shelby County United Way is a member of this council. They were also awarded $325 to sponsor a non-profit booth during the Shelby County Fair.
The city of Sidney Police Department was awarded $3,000 to assist with the purchase and training of an additional K-9 dog. Mark’s Bike Drive was awarded $3,500 to purchase bicycles for the annual toy drive administered by Salvation Army. Shelby County Special Olympics was awarded $1,500 to support their annual track and field day. First Presbyterian Church was awarded $4,940 to fund the Munch Bunch Program that delivers 180 bags of food to Sidney City Schools and 20 bags of food to Hardin-Houston Schools on a weekly basis to fight weekend hunger.
New Choices was awarded $3,500 for window replacements. Shelby County CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, was awarded $803 to host “The Stewards of Children” training event. Adult Day Services was awarded $3,500 to implement marketing and branding strategies. The Sidney Cooperative Nursery School was awarded $1,800 for a literacy teacher.
The Midwest Regional Educational Service Center was awarded a one-time $1,500 grant for the position of a Key Counselor to coordinate with school guidance counselors in Shelby County. Wilson Health was awarded $3,500 to sponsor a national speaker, Chris Herren, to present his story of addiction and recovery. Agape Distribution was awarded $3,500 to support the mobile food pantry.
The Shelby County United Way is a local 501 c 3 non-profit organization. Monies raised in the annual campaign are invested locally under the leadership and direction of our local volunteer Board of Directors and Community Allocation Volunteers. The Shelby County United Way has earned the highest rating from Charity Navigator for the third consecutive year. Through the fifth week, the campaign totals are $262,504. Contact the Shelby County United Way at 937-492-2101 to learn how to make a gift.
