| NEWS
RELEASE
Merrick Foundation Annual Meeting
Merrick Foundation
announced its recognition for achieving National Standards, recognized
its 2008 grantees, honored outgoing board members and elected
new board members at its Annual Meeting on Monday, November 24th.
President Dean Hartwig welcomed guests and introduced current
board members and staff while guests enjoyed delicious desserts.
Following the reading of minutes and a financial report, Dr. Jay
and Kathy Wolfe, Dr. Brian and Amy Buhlke and Sean and Lisa Wagner
were elected as trustees. Jay Wolfe, Brian Buhlke and Sean Wagner
were subsequently elected to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors.
Special recognition
of service awards were given to Dean Hartwig, Mary McHargue and
Rick Chochon (on behalf of Dick Chochon). All three outgoing board
members served on the board of directors for 5 years.
Bill Bolte, President of the Merrick County Historical Museum
and chair of the Merrick County Sesquicentennial Committee recapped
Sesquicentennial activities for the year.
Scott Kvols
received a community service award on behalf of Pinnacle Bank
of Central City. Pinnacles $25 memorial donations for banking
family members have totaled over $5,000 since the program was
started. Scott attributed the initiation of the program to Gary
Webster, former president of Pinnacle Bank of Central City.
Executive
Director, Chuck Griffith reported that donations to Merrick Foundation
in fiscal year 2008 totaled $312,622. Community grants awarded
during the fiscal year totaled $441,166. Scholarships awarded
totaled $86,350 bringing the combined grant amount to $527,516.
Merrick Foundations current assets are valued at $9,539,161.
Community
grantees awarded for fiscal year 2008: Grantees listed are combined
for brevity and do not include agency grants (those entities with
separate funds).
Merrick
County Home Delivered Meals Project
Red Cross Bloodmobile
Nebraska Therapeutic Riding Academy
Palmer, Twin River, High Plains & Chapman Schools (student
DC & Atlanta trips)
Palmer, Silver Creek, and Central City Scouts (program support)
Eagle Scout Project (Logan Simonson)
Mosaic/Bethphage Village (playground apparatus for disabled
students)
Palmer, Clarks, Silver Creek & Central City (youth recreation
programs)
Royal Family Kids Camp (pro rata for Merrick County participants)
Platte PEER Group (Bader Park)
Covenant Cedars Bible Camp (Inside/Out Project)
Palmer and Central City senior centers
Lone Tree Literary Society & Merrick Co. Historical Museum
(matching grants)
Archer Evangelical, North Blue, Chapman, Rose Hill & Burke
Cemeteries
Bader Villa (holiday meals for residents)
Nebraska Christian Schools (holiday concert),
Platte Valley Rural, Clarks, Silver Creek & Central City
Fire Departments
Villages of Palmer & Clarks (pool & playground projects)
Chapman Community Improvement & Silver Creek Development
Easter Seals of Nebraska (pro rata for Merrick County residents)
TeamMates of Central City
Midland Area on Aging
Performing Arts Center
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