South Slope Provides Grants to Five Local Organizations

June 1, 2022

South Slope Cooperative Communications and Aureon are pleased to announce that matching charity grants have been awarded to the City of Norway, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, the City of Fairfax, North Liberty Community Pantry and the Optimist Club of North Liberty. Upon reviewing an abundance of applications, the Aureon Charity Grant Committee delegated funds to projects committed to the betterment of local Iowan communities.

The City of Norway will use grant funds to purchase a backup power generator for the Norway Fire Station. During the 2020 derecho, the Fire Station was a safe gathering place for residents where meals were served, shelter was provided, and supplies were handed out. In order for the Fire Station to have power during that time, the City of Norway had to borrow a generator from a neighboring town. To prepare for future emergencies, having a generator available at all times to the City of Norway is essential.

Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa will use grant funds to purchase program kits used within the College Community School District in Cedar Rapids. The kits include lesson plans, student materials, and activities. The Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is a nonprofit organization that partners with school districts to teach kindergarten through 12th grade students. These program kits will help teach children about how money works, how education leads to career success, and how to start and run a business.

The City of Fairfax will use their grant money to purchase lighting for the Fairfax Veterans Memorial Project. The lighting will be used to help keep the memorial and the American Flag lit at all times. In addition, since the new memorial will be located along a trail at the park, the lighting will also help light the trail.

The North Liberty Community Pantry will use their grant money to purchase volunteer t-shirts as part of their recruitment efforts. The pantry has seen a major decline in volunteers during the past two years as a result of the COVID pandemic and volunteers are essential to the pantry’s operations. Matching t-shirts foster a sense of a team and community, and work as an incentive for new volunteers to join the pantry team. It also helps to raise awareness when the t-shirts are worn at community events.

The Optimist Club of North Liberty will use the grant funds to purchase bicycle helmets, rear red flashing lights, and locks for their Safety on Wheels bicycle rodeo. With increasing traffic in the North Liberty area, it is imperative for children to have safety equipment, and learn the rules and skills needed for safe bicycle riding.