(KMZA)--The Nemaha County STEP Foundation Board of Directors has announced recipients for the first round of grants for 2014. 

The Sabetha Event Center, located in the former Kansas National Guard Armory building, has been awarded a $5,000 grant. The funds will be used to help purchase appliances for the kitchen for use by caterers and groups that rent the center for an event. The city purchased the armory when it was closed by the state to be used as gathering place for people in the area.

The Panther Daycare, located in the Centralia Community Center, was awarded a grant of $3,500.  The proceeds will be used to expand the physical area of the preschool which now serves 33 children.  The Panther Daycare is operated through the USD 380 School District and employs director, Shawna Rempe and four other staff members.  Much of the work for the expansion will be completed with in-kind labor from community members, parents and staff.  The Vermillion School District will provide staff as well, to complete the construction.

 In addition, a $2,000 grant has been awarded to the Nemaha County Historical Society.  The grant will allow the purchase of motion activated cameras to provide security and will pay for repair of some broken windows and doors that occurred during a break-in. 

Grants are awarded twice a year through the STEP Foundation, with the next deadline being July 15, 2014.  The grants are awarded for charitable purposes to enhance and improve the quality of life for the residents of Nemaha County.