During the weekly Chamber Coffee Thursday morning at Landmark Bank, the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation presented grants to nine different local organizations, for a total of more than $21,000.
“Fort Scott should be proud that they…are celebrating the vision of community leaders…who had the long view of how do we support our community and important needs on an ongoing basis,” chairperson Carla Bryant Farmer said.
Since their beginning in 2007, the foundation has given 76 grants to non-profit organizations and other entities for a total of more than $103,000.
Grant Chairman Patty LaRoche said they had 21 applicants this year who had to prove they were a cause worthy of receiving the money, going through a lengthy process which this year focused on how they would help beautify Fort Scott.
Those recipients included entities such as the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Fort Scott/Bourbon County Riverfront Authority, First Presbyterian Church with the Bourbon County Arts Council, the city of Fort Scott, First United Methodist Church of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Middle School, Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Bourbon County Casa.
Their causes included improving the image of vacant downtown buildings, a pavilion and trails at the riverfront, an arts festival, new downtown pole banners, trees and plants for the new city park coming to Main Street and training among other goals.
“This is a real exciting program for Fort Scott,” said foundation member Steve Buerge, saying it will help make the community better. “It’s a way to get money, invest it in the future of Fort Scott, which we all are interested in.”
The foundation accepts donations, and has a matching program in place.
Other upcoming events or services announced during the Chamber Coffee include:
- Fort Scott Family Dental is offering six-month smiles to adults who would like their teeth straightened in 4-6 months.
- The Beacon will hold their Soup Line fundraiser Nov. 20, with tickets still available.
- The Adopt-a-Child program will begin in coming weeks, giving businesses, families or individuals a chance to shop for Christmas gifts for children in low income families.
- The Fall Extravaganza will be held at the Fort Scott Middle School Nov. 23, from 5 to 8 p.m., with about 60 vendors present and child care provided.
- Mercy Hospital will hold their Chili and Soup Cook-off Nov. 19, to raise money for their red stocking fund.
- Bye Bye Birdie will be performed by students once more Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the Fort Scott High School. Tickets are still available.
- The Chamber of Commerce will conduct an open enrollment Monday through Wednesday of next week, contacting members and potential members who might want to be involved in the chamber.
- The sophomore class of Christian Heights will work on the Gunn Park bike trails Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as a fundraiser for a school trip. Students will be seeking sponsors as well as donations.
- Fort Scott Community College will host the Ryan White Benefit Rodeo Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Arnold Arena to help pay for the medical expenses of the rider who was injured earlier this year. The event will include live and silent auctions as well.
- Key Industries will hold their annual warehouse sale Nov. 21-28, excluding that Sunday and Thanksgiving Day.
- Nate’s Place will host book signings as well as sales Friday, 5-8 p.m.
- The Christmas parade will be held Dec. 1. Groups and businesses interested in participating are encouraged sign up.
- A fundraiser dinner for the trolley will be held Nov. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Beaux Arts Centre.
