Traer Community Foundation Announces Grants

The Traer Community Foundation Board of Directors has announced the 2009 disbursements for a total $39,755.01.

This is the 18th year of awarding grants, and the Foundation’s gifts to the community now total $395,356 including the 2009 grants.

These are the community betterment projects by non-profit organizations, that received funds this year: Christian Hands Across Traer (Safety net for Families-Food, Clothes, Heat etc.) $2,000.00; Girl Scouts-Blue Grass Unit (Day Camp for Traer Girl Scouts) $400.00; North Tama B.A.S.I.C. (Sowing Seeds for Youth Input Costs)$2,500.00; North Tama Community School Academic Decathlon (Participation Fees/Materials)$1,500.00; North Tama Community School – After Prom (Prizes & games for After Prom activities) $1,000.00; North Tama Community School Art Club (Purchase a Kiln)$900.00; North Tama Community School Booster Club (New Practice Field/Renovation to existing infields)$2,500.00; North Tama Community School -Elementary (Field Trips Gallagher Bluedorn & Black Hawk Children’s Theatre) $1,551.00; North Tama Community School – Elementary (Summer School Scholarships) $1,500.00; North Tama Community School FCCLA (FCCLA National Leadership Conference)$750.00; North Tama Community School Music Department (Refurbish Grand Piano)$3,600.00; North Tama Community School National Fund (Fund National Competition Expenses)$1,000.00; North Tama Community School Publication Class (Digital Camera, Lens & Software)$1,500.00; North Tama Community School Talented & Gifted(Test to be the Best Program)$535.00; North Tama Community School Technology Department (2 TV’s & Carts)$2,000.00; Pied Piper Preschool & Childcare, Inc.- Storage shelves for the basement)$1,000.00; Traer Boy Scouts-Summer Camp$1,000.00; Traer Boy Scouts- National Jamboree$1,200.00; Traer Chamber of Commerce Christmas Displays for Taylor Park$1,250.00; Traer Ecumenical Vacation Bible School- Crafts, T-Shirts & Hats for Bible School Program)$1,500.00; Traer Fire Department (Behind the Helmet Headsets)$1,000.00; Traer Kupka Cultural Center Committee (Two Day Drama Workshop for Grades 3-10)$1,000.00; Traer Public Library (Summer reading program)$2,000.00; Traer Shakers, Inc. (Finish Interior of Traer’s Salt & Pepper Museum)$4,834.01; Traer Theatre Inc. (Xenon Bulbs for Porjector)$985.00; Winding Stairs Festival (Sound System)$750.00.

All gifts made to the Foundation qualify as charitable donations for the donor, and are recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service. This gives donors the ability to donate to the community of Traer and avoid federal and state income, estate and gift taxes on those contributions.

Gifts to the Foundation may be made in cash, appreciated securities, real estate, pledges, deferred gifts (such as life insurance proceeds or bequests through wills), or charitable remainder trusts.

The Foundation will receive and accept properties and gifts for the benefit of Traer and its citizens, and will distribute those gifts to community organizations such as those named above, either as the donor directs the funds to be spent, or as the Foundation’s Board of Directors select.

Visit with any of the five board members, with any officer at the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer or visit the Traer Community Foundation website at http://www.traer.com/CommunityFoundation/ for more information about the Foundation.

Board members for 2009 include: Cindy Youel, chairman, represents the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer; Ellen Young, vice-chair, represents the Traer Chamber of Commerce Stephen Foster, represents the North Tama County Community School; Leland Wiges, represents the Kubik-Finch American Legion Post of Traer; and Mark Mason, represents the Traer City Council. Bruce Reinders serves as secretary for the Foundation and the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer serves as Trustee.