Judy Kramer
County Reporter
The Benton Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Hometown Impact Leaders Society (PHIL Society) received 21 grant applications for its 2023 grant cycle. Six non-profit organizations have been selected as the top applicants, and they have submitted short videos reflecting the scope of their intended projects. Members of PHIL Society will be invited to review the videos and vote for their favorite top three projects. First place will receive $25,000, second place $15,000 and third place $10,000. Winners will be announced at an annual meeting to be held October 26.
The six top applicants include a request by Lincoln for a one-mile walking path around the perimeter of Lincoln City Park; Improvements and expansion to the Cole Camp toddler pool; Pre-School ADA playground equipment for the Warsaw School District; repair to the fire place and chimney of the historic 1857 Crabtree cabin at Kaysinger Bluff; Buddy Packs for students through the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri; and expansion of displays for the Historical Society’s new Native American Artifact Collection.
Lincoln Mayor Glenn Nelson reports that the first phase of the city’s project will include placing a one-mile gravel parkway around the park. In the future the area will be paved, and equipment added to make more of a playground that will be friendly toward children with disabilities. He also plans to add a splash pad.
Cole Camp Pool President Taylor Hayes says that the current pool has not been functional for toddlers for several years. Its current depth begins at three and a half feet, and she hopes to provide zero entry to 18 inches. The pool is private, but open to the public. It opened in 1981.
Warsaw’s South School Principal Tony Warstadt said that his school has all kinder and special education pre-schoolers (ages three and four) in Warsaw ISD. There are also 100 kids under five years of age at South School. The present playground is more suited for kids in first grade and up and has been used for decades. With a PHIL grant he believes that building of a separate playground for the PreK and Kindergarten children can start in November and be completed by spring.
Cynthia Mos, a volunteer with Kaysinger Bluff Pioneer Heritage Association, stated that the 1857 Crabtree cabin was dismantled at its original location and reassembled at Kaysinger Bluff. It didn’t have a roof at first. It was given a roof and doors and windows have been replaced. She said that the organization wants to restore the cabin’s authenticity with the goal of preservation and education. When that is complete, the next project will be to provide an authentic lean-to kitchen outside the cabin.
Dan Obrecht, representing the Food Bank says it serves four elementary schools, one middle school and a high school in Benton County with Buddy Backpacks and pantries. A PHIL grant would help with Buddy Backpacks, and free up some of the food bank’s operating funds to expand to different populations with local support.
Marsha Eaton, a volunteer with the Historical Society, said that Warsaw’s Steve Hanson generously gave the organization his collection of Native American artifacts dating back over 13,000 years. It has been displayed in the museum and archeologist Chris Hord is working with the volunteers to provide information about the sizeable collection. Additional displays are needed so the public can be more informed and educated about the background of how these artifacts were made and learn what purpose they had helping people.
The relatively new PHIL committee is chaired by Suzie Broderson. In its first year 100 members joined for a contribution of $250 each. At the end of each year, those funds are used for non-profit grants. This year the committee received matching funds through the Patterson Family Foundation which generated the total amount of $50,000 for grants.
