Awardees include residents impacted by storms

The Chilkat Valley Community Foundation distributed nearly $32,000 in grants to local nonprofits during its annual 2021 CVCF grant awards ceremony last week.

New awardees this year include the Alaska Teachers Association and Haines Huts. Also new this year, the CVCF also awarded additional grants from its disaster fund totaling $82,000 to help with December storm-damage recovery efforts.

“Because of the generous donations that came into this fund from literally all over the country, we have been fortunate to have been able to award six grants for a total of $82,000 toward early recovery efforts and we have remaining funds to help with rebuilding efforts this coming year,” CVCF board member Liz Heywood said during the online ceremony.

Southeast Alaska Independent Living received $30,000 from the disaster fund. The money, in part, helped secure housing for 11 residents displaced by the December storms.

“You replaced the following items: a mattress, a bed frame, a desk chair, a washer and dryer and a computer,” said Janine Allen, SAIL advocate and Haines Long Term Recovery Group case manager. “You helped dig out a cabin from sand and downed trees. You provided electricity for one home. You provided gasoline for a generator to power a home on Beach Road. You provided supplies and materials and you enabled 11 volunteers with Team Rubicon to come and assist nine homeowners.”

The Chilkat Valley Preschool received a $1,750 grant that will go toward expanding its hours.

The Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association received $1,750 from the CVCF special project fund for repairs to the captain’s walk and lantern room.

The Rural Alaska Community Action Program (Haines Head Start) received a $2,000 capital grant to replace worn flooring and provide eight months of free books to families to promote reading at home.

Haines Friends of Recycling received $1,650 to purchase advertising and marketing materials to promote its zero waste events and how-to advice in the Chilkat Valley News and KHNS. The tips come from the Reduce Our Waste Together guide available at hainesrecycle.org.

“The other part of the grant is for banners that we can put up at zero waste events including at the fair and other things that will identify where the composting and recycling stations are,” friends chair Melissa Aronson said. “A huge thank you to the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation for recognizing the works that the nonprofits do in the community. The nonprofits are what makes it the wonderful place that it is.”

Takshanuk Watershed Council received $2,101 to repair the Starvin’ Marvin Garden hoop house, build more garden beds and increase its compost operations by adding bins in Haines school classrooms.

Alaska Avalanche Information Center received $3,000 for operating expenses.

Haines Animal Rescue Kennel received $3,000 to help fund spay and neuter clinics.

Haines Dolphins Swim Team received $2,000 for operating expenses.

Southeast Alaska Independent Living received $3,000 for operating expenses.

Sheldon Museum received $2,000 for security system upgrades.

Haines Huts received $2,000 to help fund the construction of Haines’ first public-use cabin.

Lynn Canal Conservation received $988 to purchase a drone to help get drone footage of the Chilkat Valley.

Alaska Science Teachers Association received $2,000 to offer a place-based, five-day education workshop for Alaska teachers. “It’s a way to use where we live and how we live as a context for how we do science,” association president Patty Brown said. “The idea is to use local experts on sustainability, ecology and culture, these kinds of topics, also career and technical education.” The CVCF grant will pay for four Chilkat Valley teachers to attend the workshop that is tentatively planned for June 2022.

Friends of the Pool received $500 to purchase a Red Cross-approved mannequin for lifeguard training.

American Bald Eagle Foundation received $904 to install interpretive signs that describe native plants growing around the aviary.

The Salvation Army received $3,000 to help fund its food security project.

“A huge thanks to all our donors who through the overwhelming generosity and strong commitment to this community for the past 14 years have made all the grants through CVCF possible. Truly, you, our donors, are the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation,” Heywood said.