The Howard County Community Foundation held its annual grant awards ceremony on April 4, announcing the distribution of 51 grants totaling $99,750 to area nonprofits and government agencies. Grants awards ranged from $200 up to $3,000.

“The work these deserving organizations do to create a stronger county is critical to making our communities places where everyone can thrive,” said Dawn Fairbanks, Howard County committee chair. “The Howard County Community Foundation is proud to be a partner in their work, and we are thankful for the generosity of community-minded people who make this impact possible.”

Grant recipients and the project the grant will fund are listed below by funding areas.

Art & Culture

• City of Cresco, Theatre and Opera House - Champlin Hall Kitchen, $1,000
• City of Lime Springs, Library - Children and Adult Programming 2019, $1,000

Community Betterment

• American Legion Post 135, Eagle Scout Project - GaGa Ball Pit, $1,200
• City of Chester, Chester Lime Springs Community Center - Cement Replacement, $1,500
• City of Chester, Chester Partners In Progress - Picnic Tables, $1,800
• City of Chester, Parks and Rec - Chester Softball Park Equipment , $2,000
• City of Cresco, Chamber - Downtown Cresco Flagpole Enhancement, $1,000
• City of Cresco, Howard County Business & Tourism - Website Improvement, $1,000
• City of Cresco, Parks & Recreation - Kessel Park Ball Fence, $1,000
• City of Elma, Library - Technology Upgrades, $3,000
• City of Lime Springs, Community Center – Upgrades, $1,000
• City of Lime Springs, Park Board - Ball Park Improvements, $1,000
• City of Lime Springs, Pool Board - Guardshack Floor Resurfacing, $1,000
• Cresco Wildlife Club, Trap Throwers, 1,000
• Driftrunners Snowmobile Club, Driftrunners Building Improvements, $1,450
• First Freedom, Circulation Desk Upgrade, $3,000
• Howard County, EMS - Equipment and Tuition, $3,000
• Lime Springs Community Club, Solar Lighting Project, $1,000
• Riceville Community Foundation, Riceville Community Club - City Park Playground Equipment, $3,000
• Riceville Community Foundation, WGWL - Howard County Hospitality and Information Bulletin Board Cases, $3,000
• VFW Post 4561, Community Bathroom Remodel/Flooring, 3,000
• Youth Riceville Athletic Program, Youth RAP Bathroom/Concession Stand Project, $3,000

Education

• Elma Early Childhood Center, Equipment and Supplies, $2,100
• Howard-Winneshiek School District, Crestwood Elementary - Continuing to Enhance Education Through ClassVR Goggles/Headset Opportunities, $1,500
• Howard-Winneshiek School District, Early Childhood Development Center - Natural Playground Trike Track, $2,250
• Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, Intern to Update Website and Hyperlinks to Inductee Profiles, $1,000
• Notre Dame Church, School - Security Door Mechanisms for Active Shooter Situations, $2,620
• Riceville Community School, Art Department - Technology Grant, $2,500
• Spring Ahead Learning Center, Dramatic Play Center, $1,000
• Trinity Catholic School, Computer Updates for Online Education Assessment, $2,100

Environment

• City of Protivin, Clean Up Flood Zone, $3,000
• Fish & Game Club, Dock Installation and Repair, $3,000
• Upper Iowa River Alliance , Capturing the Spirit of the Upper Iowa River through Multimedia, $1,000

Health

• American Red Cross - Blood Services, 2019 Blood Drive Rent for Community Center, $1,000
• Evans Memorial Home for the Aged, Certified Nurse Aide Course Equipment, $1,000.00
• Regional Health Services of Howard County, RHSHC Chemotherapy/Infusion Services, $2,000
• Riceville Community School, Health Office - Renovation/Crisis Buckets, $1,250

Historic Preservation

• Howard County, Conservation - Pursuing Historic Preservation and Going Green, $3,000
• Howard-Winneshiek Genealogical Society, Digitizing Cresco Newspapers, 2,000
• Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation, Norman Borlaug Birthplace Wood Shingled House Roof, $3,000
• Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association, Pleasant Hill Cemetery Sign Restoration, $1,000

Human Service

• Cedar Valley Friends of the Family, Safe Shelter & Housing Stability, $1,000
• City of Chester, Fire & Rescue - Personal Protective Equipment, $3,000
• City of Cresco, Fire Department - Portable Combination Extrication Tool, $3,000
• City of Lime Springs, Fire Department - Portable Radio Replacement, $3,000
• City of Protivin, Fire Department - Rope and Litter Rescue Equipment, $3,000
• Firefighters of Elma, Thermal Imaging Camera Replacement, $3,000
• Helping Services for Youth & Families, Youth Mentoring at Helping Services, 1,280
• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Howard County BackPack Program, $3,000
• Riceville Community Daycare, One Year Old Room Enhancement Project, $3,000
• Riceville Community Foundation, Elf Shop, $1,200