The United Way of Story County (UWSC) Board of Directors has approved grants to be funded through the proceeds of the 2015 UWSC Golf Fore Kids event, held in August. Fourteen proposals were received from Story County nonprofit agencies and 12 were approved for funding, totaling $24,000.
“We’re continually amazed by the support of the golfers, business sponsors and volunteers,” said Sara Wilson, staff coordinator of the Golf Fore Kids event. “This year was the 16th annual event, and we’re so excited to have raised more money than ever to help children and family programs throughout Story County.”
The recipients of the grants include the following:
• Ames Public Library: Promoting literacy to preschoolers through Project Smyles
• Camp Fire Heart of Iowa: Camp Canwita summer camp scholarships
• Colo Public Library: School is Cool after-school program for children 5-14 years old
• Legal Aid Society: Mandatory Mediation services and Children in the Middle classes
• Lutheran Services in Iowa: Beloit Summer School and Story County school-based mental health services
• Raising Readers: 2016 summer learning programs - Super K and Reading Buddies
• The Salvation Army: diapers and wipes for the food pantry
• RSVP: Speak Up - 5th graders learning the art of public speaking
• Threshold Learning Center: After-School Kids Club for youth in southeastern Story County (Colo, McCallsburg, Zearing, etc.)
• Volunteer Center: summer learning volunteer program
• Youth and Shelter Services: family development and self-sufficiency for low-income families headed by a guardian or parent 25 years old or younger
“Thanks to United Way of Story County for awarding Raising Readers in Story County a Golf Fore Kids grant for our 2016 Summer Reading Buddies program and our 2016 Super K transition to kindergarten program,” said Kim Hanna, executive director of Raising Readers in Story County. “Our mission is to improve language and literacy development in children from birth to age eight and nurture healthy parent-child relationships, and both programs help Story County youth prepare for a new successful school year. Our Summer Reading Buddies tutors work with students on maintaining or increasing their literacy skills and our Super K program gets 5-year-olds ready to be successful kindergartners! With your support, Story County students are able to start a new school year ready to learn!”
Planning for the 2016 Golf Fore Kids event will begin early next year. If you are interested in receiving information about sponsorships, golfing or the grants process, contact United Way of Story County at (515) 268-5142.