Anamosa Community Foundation awards grants to local nonprofits
The Anamosa Community Foundation, a fund held by the Jones County Community Foundation, has awarded three grants to Anamosa nonprofits focused on tending to people’s health, education and quality of life. “We are proud to partner with local organizations to advance projects that benefit all Anamosa residents,” said Tammy and Dick Dearborn, members of the Anamosa Community Foundation advisory board. The Dearborns visited all three grant sites in October to present certificates and learn more about each project.
Improving emergency services
The Anamosa Area Ambulance service received $2,100 toward its fundraising campaign for a new cot loading system, which eliminates the need for paramedics and EMTs to lift patients on and off an ambulance. With a small crew of 23 employees, protecting each one is essential to maintaining smooth operations. “A back injury could put one of our staff out for months, or even ruin their career,” said Sheila Frink, the service’s director.
The ambulance service is privately owned but managed by Jones Regional Medical Center. Ambulance staff work in the hospital emergency room when not on ambulance calls. “EMTs serve very important roles in the ER, helping patients get settled, checking vitals, doing EKGs, and cleaning rooms. They do it all,” said Frink.
“Anamosa Area Ambulance provides such an important service to Anamosa,” said Dearborn. “This was a unanimous choice for our board.”
A $45,000 fundraising campaign to pay for the loading cot is ongoing. To make a gift, visit unitypoint.org/anamosa/ways-to-give.aspx and designate your gift to Anamosa Area Ambulance.
Supporting outdoor recreation
The Community Foundation granted $2,200 to the final phase of the Wapsi Trail, which will connect downtown Anamosa with the Wapsipinicon State Park trail system. Local residents are excited about the plan for a new half-mile, hard-surface trail, and have been visiting the site to check on the progress.
“The adjacent road has just been resurfaced, so the concrete is barely dry and people are already walking down the brand new road to see where the trail is going to be,” said Brad Mormann, executive director of the Jones County Conservation Board.
The local support is making a difference. “Businesses and individuals are kicking in money, reflecting an understanding of the improved quality of life this trail is going to create not only for Anamosa, but also for the greater region,” Mormann said.
To make your own gift to the project, visit jonescountyiowa.org/current-projects-and-news.
Providing essential school supplies
The final grant provided $1,800 to Anamosa Community Schools for back-to-school supplies for elementary students. “Given unemployment, COVID-19, and our 47% free-and-reduced lunch rate during a normal school year, we thought this was something we could do to help our families,” said Superintendent Larry Hunt.
“We had a large reaction to our food program this summer. At one time we were feeding 660 kids, so we knew families were struggling,” said Mary Sult, district systems facilitator. Free supplies are one way to ease the burden during the pandemic — especially when students are learning at home.
“Projects with the school are always a good investment,” said Dearborn. “There’s no way you could have anticipated this. Kudos to you for getting the kids back in school.”