TRAER – The Traer Community Foundation Board of Directors has announced the 2023 disbursements for a total of $54,559.31. This is the 31st year of awarding grants. The total of Foundation grants to the community now totals $944,000.

Below 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.) – $1,000

-North Tama Community School: Purchase automated external defibrillator – $1,900

-North Tama Community School: Kindergarten field trip to Hansen’s Dairy Farm – $225

-North Tama Community School: Furniture for the elementary library – $8,000

-Pied Piper Preschool & Childcare, Inc.: Lighting project – $2,000

-Taylor Park Landscaping & Beautification Committee: Long-term landscaping and beautification of Taylor Park – $7,500

-Traer Arts & Culture Committee: Mural project on Second Street – $8,000

-Traer Chamber of Commerce: Holiday season displays – $1,000

-Traer Ecumenical Vacation Bible School: T-shirts, biblical keepsakes, and craft supplies – $1,000

-Traer Fire Department: Battery operated hydraulic spreader – $5,500

-Traer Historical Museum, Inc.: Restoration of the TSC Winding Staircase – $10,934.31

-Traer Sesquicentennial Committee: Renovation of Taylor Park entrance memorial arch – $3,500

-Traer Sesquicentennial Committee: Renovation of Main Street clock – $3,000

-Winding Stairs Festival: Big Balloon show, face painting, caricature sketches, etc. – $1,000

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 or with any officer at the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer for more information about the Foundation. Board members include chairman, Jon Panfil representing the Traer City Council, vice-chairman, Michelle Podhajsky representing Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Don Stansberry representing Kubik-Finch American Legion Post of Traer, Taylor Howard representing North Tama County Community School and Tracey Hulme, representing the Traer Chamber of Commerce. Bruce Reinders serves as secretary for the Foundation and the Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, Traer serves as Trustee.