Annual Lobsterfest results in $25,000 awarded to 15 not-for-profit projects
Bettendorf, IA - The Charitable Giving Board of Bettendorf Rotary Club announces the award of a total of $25,000 to 15 not-for-profit projects that serve the Quad City community.
This is the seventh year event proceeds from the annual Bettendorf Rotary Lobsterfest at Rivermont Collegiate create the fund for the Bettendorf Rotary Charitable Giving Board grants.
"We received 43 requests for an amount totaling $92,130 this cycle," said Jeff Hassel, Chair of the Charitable Giving Board. "The club was able to fund 15 requests totaling $25,000 or $27% of the total amount requested. We hope our next Lobsterfest on June 13th enables us to reach an even higher level of support for 2015."
Bettendorf Rotary also presents $7,000 in scholarships to graduates pursuing higher education. These awards are chosen by the participating educational institutions - Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley high schools, Rivermont Collegiate and Scott Community College.
Individual grants of as much as $2,500 are available to any qualified non-profit organization in the Quad Cities by October 1st of each year. Applications, with qualifications, may be completed online or downloaded at www.bettendorfrotary.com/rotarygrants. Grants are awarded by the Bettendorf Rotary's Charitable Giving Board with funds located at the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.
The Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com), chartered on May 22, 1957, has more than 100 members fulfilling the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" in a variety of local, regional and national community volunteer projects. The club meets each Wednesday at Noon. In addition to the website, you can find the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bettendorfrotary).
Bettendorf Rotary Club is part of Rotary International (www.rotary.org), founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago businessman and University of Iowa alumnus. The international organization, now based in Evanston, IL, has more than one million members participating in 32,000 clubs located in more than 200 countries.
The following are the 15 grants that the Bettendorf Rotary Charitable Giving Board selected and had approved by the Bettendorf Rotary Club's Executive Board for funding in 2014:
- Center for Active Seniors, Inc.
Project Title - Fitness Center Equipment
Project Description - CASI requested funds to replace 2 out dated treadmills in the Fit for Life Fitness Center
Amount funded - $1,250
- Davenport Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol
Project Title - Search and Rescue Mission Enhancement, Aerospace Education
Project Description - Funds will go toward purchase of an iPad mini for use in aircraft flight operations and a precision dash mount GPS that will connect to the iPad to provide precise aircraft position reference. These tools will greatly increase aircrew capability for search and rescue and aerial photography of critical local infrastructure such as dams and bridges. The remainder of the funds will be used for purchase of aerospace education materials for cadets ages 12 to 20. Projects include model rocketry, RC airplane supplies, and improving our flight simulation and training device (PC with multi-screens and aircraft control hardware)
Amount funded - $1,000
- Dress for Success Quad Cities
Project Title - Professional Shoes for Limited Resource QC Women
Project Description - Purchase approximately 80 pairs of professional shoes for limited-resource women who have an interview scheduled or a new job.
Amount funded - $2,000
Project Title - Friendly House Family Nights
Project Description - Family Nights create opportunities for families to engage in activities and spend time together, creating a greater emotional bond and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Amount funded - $2,000
Project Title - Cancer to Health
Project Description - Research proven program to reduce stress, strengthen immunity, develop a healthier diet and exercise and feel greater social support.
Amount funded - $1,750
- Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities
Project Title - New simple, decent, affordable home build for a low income working family
Project Description - This project will build a simple, decent, affordable home for a family in need in the Quad Cities to help eliminate poverty housing.
Amount funded - $1,000
- Handicapped Development Center
Project Title - Promoting Our Mission with a Positive Atmosphere
Project Description - To provide a positive atmosphere, promote our mission, and encourage hospitality, we want to paint some walls and purchase a monitor for the reception area.
Amount funded - $1,000
Project Title - Patriot Place Veterans Resource Center
Project Description - Patriot Place is a location for military to meet with mentors, explore education/training, complete on-line education, resumes, job search, obtain transition information, counseling, recreation, etc.
Amount funded - $2,500
Project Title - Homeless Overflow Shelter Payroll
Project Description - King's Harvest serves as an overflow shelter for the homeless men, women and children in the Quad Cities from December 1st until April 15th.
Amount funded - $2,500
Project Title - Horse Care Project
Project Description - Funds were requested to continue our horse care project so that NKT can continue to offer therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities.
Amount funded - $2,000
- People Uniting Neighbors & Churches (PUNCH)
Project Title - Renters Neighborhood Winterization Project
Project Description - We provide interior winterization service to the Hilltop residential community when funds are available.
Amount funded - $1,000
Project Title - The Pete the Purple Bull Program
Project Description - Pete the Purple Bull: on a mission to teach Humans (through example & interactive lessons), the social/emotional skills needed to rid the World of Bullying.
Amount funded - $1,000
Project Title - Run With Us
Project Description - Pay entry fee to micro-marathon for 150 disadvantaged/low-income children to enhance their health, well-being, and social skills.
Amount funded - $1,500
- Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association
Project Title - Music Education Outreach for Bettendorf
Project Description - The Quad City Symphony Orchestra will provide free music education outreach to elementary schools in the Bettendorf.
Amount funded - $2,000
- St. Mark Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Project Title - Food Pantry
Project Description - The St. Mark food pantry is an emergency resource for Davenport families and individuals who are food insecure.
Amount funded - $2,500
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