The Chilkat Valley Community Foundation announced its 2020 grant awards “Covid-style” via a YouTube video where board members swayed to the song “Lean on Me” on the beach along the Chilkat River.
“In times like this we all need to lean on each other and to offer a helping hand wherever we can,” CVCF board president Liz Heywood said in the video.
Board members introduced themselves and then announced each grantee.
The community foundation typically hosts a grant-award ceremony where local nonprofit representatives are presented with the awards before the community.
This year, the foundation provided $28,150 to 11 Haines nonprofits.
The Mosquito Lake Community Center’s Victory Garden was awarded $2,000 that will pay an individual to manage and plan to expand the garden that was built this summer after an all-volunteer effort. Much of the harvest was provided to the Haines Senior Center and the Salvation Army.
Victory garden organizer and volunteer Erika Merklin said the funds will go to expanding that effort.
“It’ll be for the garden planning and expansion, managing the volunteers and working toward outreach to get the produce out to the community in a more widespread way,” Merklin said.
Much of the grant funding is helping nonprofits with operating costs including the Haines Avalanche Center that received $3,000. Becky’s Place Haven of Hope, a domestic violence shelter, was awarded $900 for operating expenses and the Haines Dolphins Swim Club was given $2,500 to pay for a new head coach. Southeast Alaska Independent Living received a $3,000 grant for operating support.
Takshanuk Watershed Council was awarded $3,000 to support its summer work program that gets Haines students and recent graduates out doing community service projects.
“This past year we had nine interns,” TWC’s Derrick Poinsette said. “They did some work on our trails at Jones Point and helped clean up the sculpture garden; lots of stacking firewood for elders and that sort of thing.”
Haines Animal Rescue Kennel was awarded $3,000 for its spay and neuter clinic. Haines Head Start received $2,250 to purchase classroom furniture and home-safety supplies for at-home teachers.
The Salvation Army received $3,000 for food box supplies.
“Thanks to all our donors who through their overwhelming generosity and strong commitment to our community have made these grants through CVCF possible,” Heywood said. “Thanks for helping us all carry on. We hope next year to be doing this in person. Until then, stay safe and be well.”
Students from the Honor Society filmed the video including Eli Williamson, Hannah Boron, and Yzella Miramontes. Haines School technology teacher Sam McPheteres edited the production. The link to the video is https://youtu.be/lYAgE422ZpI.
The foundation also introduced its new program manager Katie Craney, who took the helm after Sara Chapell departed earlier this year.