ROTARY CLUB OF DUBOIS COUNTY GRANTS $9,000

Dubois Co.- The Rotary Club of Dubois County recently donated a total of $9,000 to three local area nonprofits as part of their 2023 Community Grants program. 

Recipients of this year’s grants were the Southeast Dubois School Corporation, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s Women and Infant Services, and the Southwest Dubois County School Corporation. 

“We continue to be amazed by the monumental impact the nonprofits of Dubois County have on our community,” said Rotary Club of Dubois County Community Grants Committee Chair, Christian Blome. “This year’s grant recipients are providing opportunity, preparedness, and security for the children and families we work and live alongside every day. I could not be prouder of our club to support such fantastic organizations.” 

Applications for the community grants were required to match one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus: 1. Promoting peace 2. Fighting disease 3. Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene 4. Saving mothers and children 5. Supporting education 6. Growing local economies 7. Protecting the environment

This year’s top grant recipient at $4,000 was the Southeast Dubois School Corporation in support of their Emergency Backpacks initiative. This grant was made possible by a partial match from Rotary District 6580. “Southeast Dubois School Corporation is thrilled to receive the Rotary Club of Dubois County’s generous donation to build our Emergency Backpack Program in our schools, said Leslie Luebbehusen. “Our staff has been trained in ALICE protocols, so the funding for these backpacks allows our staff to have tools in hand in the classroom to keep our students and faculty safe in the face of danger. Our schools and community thank the Rotary Club of Dubois County’s generous donation to make this possible.”

$2,700 was allocated to Memorial Hospital Foundation to support Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center Women and Infant Services. “We are thrilled to be able to supply all of our delivering families with a large box of diapers and a children’s book,” said Erica Arthur. “This grant from the Rotary Club of Dubois County helps to close any gaps that might exist within families in providing essentials to their newborn. We are also able to ensure that everyone receives a book; thereby reinforcing the importance of reading and engaging minds at a very early age.”

Finally, $2,300 was granted to the Southwest Dubois County School Corporation. “Southwest Dubois School Corporation is thrilled to express gratitude to The Rotary Club of Dubois County for their contribution to our biliteracy program: Fuertes Together,” said Rossina Sandoval. “Rotary's commitment to education equity and community development shines through their generous donation, which will help support the monthly program hosted in partnership with Huntingburg Public Library.”

In addition to providing funding for each of these important causes, Rotary Club of Dubois County members will participate in portions of the programs – from stuffing backpacks to choosing and stamping books to reading to children, the club will certainly display their service in action in 2023-2024.

Rotary Club of Dubois County Community Grant funds are made possible by activities hosted by the club, including the ATHENA Banquet, the Cornhole Tournament of Champions, Leadership Luncheons, and the Economic Forecast Luncheon. Recent past recipients of grant funding include SWICACC, Pine Ridge Elementary, and Crisis Connection.

Applications for the 2024 Community Grant cycle will open on January 15, 2024. Visit the Rotary Club of Dubois County’s Facebook page or visit www.duboiscountyrotary.com for more information.