JVCF hosts grant awards

Since 2002, the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation has awarded 107 grants to 39 non-profits in the local area for a total of $151,139. At a special ceremony last Thursday night in Whitehall, the JVCF handed out their 2018 grants with a record of just under $20,000 to nine deserving area non-profits.

The ice cream social event began with several past recipients lauding the JVCF for giving back to make the Whitehall area a better place.

Representing the Jefferson Valley Museum, John Joy discussed past grants they have received which included 2017 where the money was used to help replace the siding on the building.

Deanna Smith of Love Inc. lauded the efforts of JVCF and told those in attendance grants have been used for such items as office equipment, a locking file cabinet, and accounting software.

Jeannie Ferriss of the Whitehall Community Library discussed the importance of the grants and how it has been a huge boon for the purchase of laptops as well as the summer reading program.

"Knowing the kids have a safe place to go in summer. It doesn't get any better than that," she said.

Terry Ross of JVEMSR/P.U.L.S.E. detailed how they have used money for items such as a power cot and CPR mannequins, and said the grants have helped with a lot of things for the organization.

2018 Grants

1. Cardwell School -- $2,500. The money will be used to purchase Google Chrome Books.

2. Love Inc. -- $1,200. The money will be used for various items for the organization.

3. MT. State Parks Foundation -- $2,500. The money will be used for new tours to assist those who can't make it to the cave entrance at Lewis and Clark Caverns.

4. JVEMSR -- $2,500. The grant will be used for a Power Stair Chair.

5. Whitehall Pool -- $582. The pool will use the grant for a new spine board.

6. Whitehall Pool -- $1,000. The grant will be used to help build another shade shelter.

7. Whitehall Community Library -- $3,000. The 2018 grant will be used to help with new shelving for the kid's section at the library.

8. Whitehall Middle School Close Up Program -- $2,500. The grant will help with costs associated with an educational trip to Washington D.C. and New York City.

9. Whitehall Senior Center -- $500. The 2018 award will be used to purchase a new oven.

10. Whitehall Public Transportation – $2,500. The grant award from the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine will be used to help with the new bus facility.

11. Mystery Grant – Whitehall Garden Club -- $1,000. The funding will used to help the club's efforts in Whitehall.