District 6080

The Springfield Southeast Rotary Club’s Community Grants Committee awarded $1,000 grants to five organizations in the fall of 2020.  This is the first of two grant cycles in this Rotary year.

Community Partnership of the Ozarks thanked the club on Nov. 5 for its grant for its mentoring/youth development program called Mentor SFG.   Mentor SFG is a broad program that positively impacts students in grades K-12, with an emphasis on students of color and those that face an opportunity gap.   It facilitates these opportunities through after-school clubs with an emphasis on college and career readiness, and more.

The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools received its grant on Nov. 12.  The funds are for its Back to School program, which helps meet classroom education needs.  These funds will support literacy projects requested by educators.

Club member Jason Hynson, executive director of Springfield Victory Mission, told the club on Nov. 19 (photo at right) that its grant will cover part of the cost of a bed bug prevention heating unit.  He also talked about Victory Mission’s extra costs during the pandemic from doing more laundry of bed clothes in its living units.

A representative of CoxHealth Foundation was at the meeting on Dec. 5 to accept its grant, which will buy tools for Amanda Belle’s Farm, a new farm being created at Cox South Hospital that will increase access to healthy food. The farm will grow a variety of seasonal produce to benefit patients with dietary needs.

OATS Transit was awarded the fifth grant, which will help fund senior transportation services.  That agency specializes in transportation for seniors, individuals with disabilities, low income individuals, veterans, and the rural general public.

Community Grants in the second cycle of this Rotary year will be awarded in the spring.  The funds come from club members’ dues.  Steve Brooks chairs the committee this year.