(KMZA)--Teamwork makes life easier for everyone and Nemaha County reflects that idea as county residents’ step in to supply funding for countywide projects through the Nemaha County STEP Foundation. The Nemaha County STEP Foundation Board of Directors has announced recipients for the first-round of 2024 grants. The grants are awarded for charitable purposes to enhance and improve the quality of life for the residents of Nemaha County Kansas.

Centralia Cemetery #7 will be receiving $2,000 from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund for the replacement of the cemetery entryway and new signs. “The overall project will widen the entrance, provide more support for heavier vehicles and place a new sign for visitors to enjoy,” explained Joy Glatczak in the grant application.

The City of Bern will receive $2,000 from the STEP General Endowment Fund along with $2,000 from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund for a landscaping project at the Bern City Park. The community has recently purchased and installed a new marquee digital sign. Linda Lortscher, grant writer, explained the purpose for the grant in the application. “This is a focal point for the city where information is posted on upcoming community events.”

New handicap accessible restrooms at the city park will be a wonderful improvement to the City of Corning. They will be receiving a grant award of $2,500 from the STEP General Endowment Fund and $1,000 from the Glen J. Meyer Advisory Fund for the project. Diane Haverkamp, Corning city clerk and grant writer, shared information in the grant application “[The project is] to construct a new men and women's handicapped accessible restroom including pouring a sidewalk from the current shelter house to the new restrooms to make it easily accessible for wheelchair bound and other handicapped persons.”

The City of Seneca Recreation Department will be receiving a $15,000 grant award from the Chad Baker Memorial Fund. According to Jordan Weaver, Parks and Recreation director and grant writer, “The City of Seneca is looking to bring a Fitness Court to our community. The Fitness Court will be a state-of-the-art workout facility for our citizens. The Fitness Court will provide a vibrant and inclusive space that encourages physical activities for all ages and abilities. The Fitness Court also comes with a free app one can download on [his/her] cellphone. The app provides hundreds of workouts that one can do on the court for free. Citizens will be able to get a full body workout in just seven minutes on the Fitness Court. This project will enhance the health and quality of life of our residents while building a strong sense of community.”

A roof replacement is in the works thanks to a $3,000 grant award from the STEP General Endowment Fund to the Goff United Methodist Church. Freda Dobbins, church treasurer and grant writer, stated in the grant application “The Goff United Methodist Church has become aware that the roof on the Church needs to be replaced. Thus far there have not been any leaks, but the church has been informed not to wait too long to replace the roof. The Goff UMC is the only church in Goff and thus supplies the only religious support for the town and the surrounding community.”

The final grant award through the General Grants will be awarded to the Mary Cotton Public Library in the amount of $2,000 from the STEP General Endowment Fund for the instant library. “Libraries are innovators--game changers, constantly evolving, and working to bring the best reading materials available to their patrons The Instant Library Project is Mary Cotton Public Library's means of providing educational and recreational reading, listening and viewing directly to Mary Cotton's nearly 1,900 library card holders (representing both individuals of all ages and families) via their personal mobile and hand-held devices such as Smartphones, Tablets (I-pad, Kindles) or Laptops,” shared Kim Priest, director and grant writer.

The final two grant awards will be awarded from the CNB/CNB Custody/Invisor “Underprivileged Children- Fund”. The Apostolic Christian Home DBA: Lakeside Terrace will receive $399 to purchase a Boardmaker 7. The Boardmaker 7 specifically helps those with limited language skills express themselves. Healthcare, Inc. will receive $1,200 for beds for foster youth. By collaborating, STEP is improving the lives of children in Nemaha County.

Congratulations to all the grant recipients. The online grant application is open and available at www.nemahastep.org. Grants are awarded twice a year through the STEP Foundation with the next deadline being July 15, 2024.