Seven nonprofits serving Rock Island residents in sports, the arts, warm clothing, new shoes and more received grants totaling $10,000 from the Rotary Club of Rock Island at its Tuesday, Jan. 7, meeting at Rock Island’s Quad City Botanical Center.
Recipients for the first of two grant $10,000 distributions scheduled this year by the Rock Island Rotary were on hand to accept the grants.
Grant recipients were:
- Ballet Quad Cities – $1,500 to buy tickets for “The Nutcracker” for Rock Island school third-graders. Ballet Quad Cities Emily Kate Long said those funds will provide 550 tickets for third-grade students to attend the popular holiday ballet’s matinee performance. In addition she said, going forward Ballet QC hopes to add a second student matinee performance to introduce even more young people to ballet.
- Common Chord – $1,500 to pay mentor costs for students and guest talent fees. Education Manager C.J. Parker said these Common Chord mentors go into Rock Island-Milan schools to expose students to music, often for the first time. The organization, which reaches about 400 students every year, also provides instruments for some students.
- Every Child – $1,000 to buy books for children ages 0-5. Brooke Hendrickx, vice president of development and communications, said Every Child provides safety, counseling, and therapy for children who have experienced trauma such as domestic violence, family tragedy or other traumatic incident. Through its Children’s Library, youngsters can select and read an age-appropriate book as part of their therapy. Then, when they are done, the book is theirs to take home.
- Figge Art Museum — $1,500 to help fund its Big Picture outreach program for Rock Island-Milan students. Chelsea Long and Laura Wriedt, who accepted the grant for the Figge, said some elementary schools do not offer art programs. Through Big Picture, the Figge sends staff into schools to expose children to art as well as provide instruction and materials to allow students to experience art and develop their creative skills.
- Rock Island-Milan Little League — $1,800 for scholarship memberships for baseball and softball leagues. Kirk McKnight, league president, told Rotarians these funds will be used for scholarships for both baseball and the recently created girls softball leagues to ensure that no child is excluded due to inability to pay. In all last summer, the league served 400 kids, about 140 of whom were on scholarship.
- Soles for Children – $1,200 will purchase winter coats for children in Rock Island. Erwin King, who founded the organization a decade ago when he learned kids were being bullied because of holes in their shoes, said the funds will buy winter coats for 30 schoolchildren. The coat giveaways are a reflection of how much the organization’s mission has grown in 10 years. In addition to shoes and socks, these days Soles for Children provides coats, caps, mittens, hair cuts for boys, and hair styling for girls.
- Transitions Mental Health – with its $1,500 grant, Shana DeCook, residential manager said, Transitions will purchase an air conditioner for the Rock Island Transitions residential facility. Transitions Mental Health Services provides residential treatments that include cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotropic medication for young adults, adults, and seniors 65 or older. Transitions also supports people with serious mental illnesses.
RI celebrates 110 years
In addition to awarding grants on Tuesday, the club shared a birthday cake with members and guests. It was in celebration of its just completed 110th anniversary of giving and volunteering through district projects and fundraising events.
“The Rock Island Rotary Club has a long history of supporting nonprofit organizations that serve our Rock Island community,” said Rock Island Rotary Club President Sue Rector. “Thanks to everyone who participated in our fundraisers to make this possible.”
Looking forward, Rock Island Rotary is also accepting requests from local nonprofits for an additional $10,000 in grants. They will be selected in April. The growing club also will continue to focus on international service, community involvement, and youth projects.
Service projects by Rock Island Rotarians include a partnership with Earl Hanson Elementary School for monthly birthday books, holiday celebrations; a blood drive; the purchase of water filters for Third World nations; and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations for a food bank, clothing giveaways and a coat drive. Club members also raise funds for grants to nonprofit organizations like the ones handed out this week.
Rock Island Rotary meets on Tuesdays at noon at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 Fourth Ave., Rock Island. Visitors are welcome. To learn more, attend a meeting, visit the website at www.rirotary.com or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn.
